Expression of metalloproteinase-2, metalloproteinase-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in transitional cell carcinoma of upper urinary tract: correlation with tumor stage and survival.

TIMP-1 expression correlated with pT stage and was an independent predictor of cause-specific survival. Our results suggest that TIMP-1 expression is a potentially useful tool for the selection of postoperative observation strategies in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.