Objective: Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its association with angiogenesis have been shown in various carcinomas. In this study, we investigated COX-2 expression in clear cell type renal cell carcinoma and its association with microvessel density and various clinicopathologic parameters.

Material and Method: Fifty cases of clear cell type renal cell carcinoma that underwent radical nephrectomy were included in this study. Th e status of COX-2 expression was examined immunohistochemically. Microvessel density in the neoplasm was estimated using the computerized image-analizer system. We evaluated the correlation between COX-2 expression, microvessel density and clinicopathologic findings.

Results: COX-2 expression was observed in 76% of the cases. Th ere was no association between COX-2 expression and microvessel density, age, sex, tumor size, nuclear grade and stage (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Most clear cell type renal cell carcinomas expressed COX-2, but there was no relationship between COX-2 and various clinicopathologic parameters. Similar studies to explore therapeutic agents that target these specialities can be useful in the treatment of renal cell carcinomas which show COX-2 expression and high vascularity.