Prognosis and treatment of T1G3 bladder tumours. A prognostic factor analysis of 121 patients. Dutch South Eastern Bladder Cancer Study Group

Systematic review and meta-analysis of radiation therapy for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

INTRODUCTION

Radiation therapy (XRT) has been investigated as a possible treatment for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with the goal of bladder preservation, especially with the ongoing Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) shortage. Yet, little is known about the clinical efficacy and the quality of evidence supporting XRT for NMIBC. Herein, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate XRT in the treatment of patients with high-risk NMIBC.

METHODS

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched for high-risk NMIBC (high grade T1, T1/Ta with associated risk features: carcinoma in-situ (CIS), multifocality, > 5cm in diameter, and/or multiple recurrences) treated with primary XRT. Outcomes evaluated were recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific-survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and salvage cystectomy and progression to metastatic disease rates. A meta-analysis was performed to assess outcomes for XRT in NMIBC.

RESULTS

Overall,13 studies including 746 patients met the search criteria. The 5-year rates of RFS, CSS and OS were 54% (95% CI = 38% - 70%), 86% (95% CI = 80% - 92%), and 72% (95% CI = 64% - 79%). Notably, 13% of patients proceeded to salvage radical cystectomy and 9% developed metastatic disease. All studies were of poor quality, comprising single institution and retrospective studies with only one clinical trial.

CONCLUSION

XRT for high-risk NMIBC provides some degree of oncologic control, although distant progression was noted. In the setting of the low-quality evidence, a prospective clinical trial is needed to clearly define the risks and benefits of this approach.

Percutaneous cryotherapy for metastatic bladder cancer: experience with 23 patients

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract and in many patients is metastatic at diagnosis. Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for these patients but has serious side effects and in many patients is not tolerated. To avoid the side effects of systemic chemotherapy, patients with late stage bladder cancer have sought cryotherapy in our hospital. We reviewed data for the past 4 years to evaluate the safety and efficiency of percutaneous cryotherapy in 23 patients. Within 3 days after cryosurgery, all complications of bladder cancer (e.g. hematuria, urinary irritation, hypogastralgia, lumbago) had decreased to some degree. No new complications (e.g. bladder perforation) occurred and all complications had disappeared completely after 2 weeks. The progression-free survival (PFS) of these patients was 14 ± 8 months. There was no effect on PFS of tumor location or histopathology; however, differentiation status and tumor size influenced the therapeutic effect of percutaneous cryoablation. In conclusion, percutaneous cryotherapy may be a safe and efficacious therapeutic option in the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer.

Current role of radiation therapy for bladder cancer

Radiation therapy continues to expand its role in the management of bladder cancer. Utilization of chemoradiation as part of the management increases the likelihood of keeping the native bladder and has a positive impact on quality of life, without compromising cure. There remains sustained interest in the concept of bladder conservation as an organ-sparing approach that is potentially equivalent to radical cystectomy as regards disease-specific survival. In addition, radiation therapy may play a meaningful role in the management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer by reducing the likelihood of local recurrence and preventing or delaying cystectomy. Recently, techniques of radiation therapy have improved considerably and the role of radiation therapy has subsequently expanded and led to better outcomes, as has a better understanding of the biology of fractionation and tumor response.

Optimal timing of radical cystectomy in T1 high-grade bladder cancer

T1 high-grade (formerly T1G3) bladder cancer is a challenging clinical entity representing approximately 10-15% of all new bladder cancer cases. The variable natural history of the disease and possible impairment in quality of life associated with radical treatment makes T1 high-grade one of the most challenging uro-oncological patient groups to manage. In particular, the risk of clinical understaging and not recognizing muscle-invasive disease may have detrimental effects on patient outcome. The cornerstone of contemporary staging is restaging transurethral resection (TUR), which helps in defining further management. In patients with restaging TUR stage less than T1, induction bacillus Calmette-Guérin combined with maintenance offers good results. The option of radical cystectomy should be discussed with patients with restaging TUR stage T1 or higher and it is highly recommended to all patients with recurrent T1 of carcinoma in situ during bacillus Calmette-Guérin maintenance. In addition to restaging TUR stage, several other clinicopathological factors, such T1 substaging, associated carcinoma in situ, tumor size and appearance, lymphovascular invasion, and hydronephrosis, aid in the decision making between radical and conservative treatment. Future prospects include improved staging and molecular markers that may guide toward conservative therapy or allow more cT1 patients to be offered nerve-sparing cystectomies and neobladders and, thus, improving quality of life for patients undergoing radical surgery.

A Second Look at the pT1 G3 Bladder Tumour

People with pT1 G3 bladder cancer are at high risk of tumour progression and death. Induction and maintenance intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) has been proven to reduce tumour progression in superficial bladder cancer at moderate risk of progression. By extrapolation, this treatment is often now given for pT1 G3 bladder cancer. Phase II studies published over the past 10 years on the use of adjuvant intravesical BCG following transurethral resection (TUR) of the tumour(s) suggest an important effect on the number of patients progressing. The data are mixed, however. A randomised study of the use of adjuvant radiotherapy in pT1 G3 bladder cancer has shown that it is not of benefit and that, overall, the progression rate remains high. Early cystectomy for high-risk cases is not commonly used, and its results are often disappointing, presumably a consequence of negative selection. Identification of patients at extra high risk of progression is desirable. Tumour size, the co-existence of carcinoma in situ and early tumour recurrence may be prognostic indicators, but the data are at present insufficient.

A Second-Look TUR in T1 Transitional Cell Carcinoma: Why?

T1 transitional cell cancer of the urinary bladder is associated with a significant risk of tumor progression when transurethral resection (TUR) is the only treatment. Additional intravesical immunotherapy can reduce this risk; however, long-term results of more than 15 years of follow-up indicate that almost half of the patients may lose their bladder or even die due to recurrent tumor. The alternative to TUR is cystectomy at either the initial presentation or time of first recurrence. However, although the results of this treatment strategy are encouraging, an unknown percentage of patients will lose their bladder and go on to experience all possible complications of urinary diversion unnecessarily. The central issue of conservative treatment but also the indication for cystectomy is the quality of TUR. From the present literature, it is evident that a 'textbook TUR' cannot be performed on every patient, i.e. macroscopical clearance of the bladder from tumor, separate thorough resection of the tumor base and separate biopsies of the borders of the resection area. Moreover, even in cases of a so-called 'correct TUR', a significant percentage of residual tumor is left behind and will be the source of local recurrence or progression. In addition, TUR specimens may be difficult to diagnose accurately, especially in respect to grade and stage. Recent publications demonstrate that the routinely performed second TUR detects residual tumors of similar or higher stage in a significant percentage of patients. The clinical implications of these findings can be considerable as the absence or presence of tumor may determine whether patients undergo conservative or aggressive treatment. Moreover, results of retrospective studies support this suggestion. Currently, there is no standard appropriate treatment of T1 tumors. However, we strongly recommend that future studies on the conservative treatment of T1 tumors include a second TUR within 2 to 4 weeks after the first one.

Aberrant expression and possible involvement of the leptin receptor in bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES

To explore the expression patterns and possible involvement of leptin and its receptor in the pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer, with a focus on transitional cell carcinoma.

METHODS

Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry techniques, we correlated the expression patterns of leptin and its receptor with the occurrence of transitional cell carcinoma. We also applied transient transfection followed by BrdU labeling and immunofluorescent staining to address the effect of the leptin receptor on bladder cancer cell growth.

RESULTS

Although leptin was not detected in the bladder tissue specimens, a decreased expression of the leptin receptor was observed in most cancer tissue specimens we analyzed. Furthermore, the forced expression of the leptin receptor in T24 bladder cancer cells prevented them from entering the S phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated for the first time that the leptin receptor is aberrantly expressed in bladder cancer tissue and is possibly involved in the carcinogenesis of bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a significant public health problem responsible for more than 130,000 deaths annually worldwide. Disease prevalence is also remarkable, with more than 500,000 patients carrying the diagnosis in the United States alone. Significant progress has been made in understanding the underlying molecular and genetic events in bladder cancer. However, there remains a great need for the development of reliable markers that can provide clinically useful information regarding diagnosis and prognosis and to facilitate the selection of appropriate therapy in the individual patient. Ongoing and future investigation is anticipated to refine treatment of patients with high-risk superficial disease, to determine the role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk invasive disease, and to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy for patients with metastatic bladder cancer.

A retrospective analysis of 153 patients treated with or without intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin for primary stage T1 grade 3 bladder cancer: recurrence, progression and survival

PURPOSE

We retrospectively evaluated the long-term outcome in patients with newly diagnosed stage T1 grade 3 bladder cancer treated with transurethral resection with or without intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 153 patients with a median age of 67 years (range 36 to 88) and a male-to-female ratio of 4:1 we treated 92 with transurethral bladder resection and additional BCG, and 61 with transurethral bladder resection alone. BCG was administered intravesically as 120 mg. BCG Pasteur F dissolved in 50 ml. saline, retained for up to 2 hours weekly for 6 weeks and repeated as necessary.

RESULTS

Median followup was 5.3 years (range 0.4 to 18.2). Disease recurred in 70% of the patients treated with BCG and in 75% treated with transurethral resection alone. Median time to recurrence was 38 and 22 months for BCG and resection alone (p = 0.19). Tumor progressed in 33% of patients with BCG and in 36% with resection alone. Deferred cystectomy was performed in 29% of the patients with BCG and in 31% with resection alone. Overall and disease specific survival did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that intravesical BCG therapy after transurethral bladder resection for stage T1 grade 3 bladder cancer may delay the time to recurrence and cystectomy but it does not substantially alter the final outcome. Our findings reflect the rule of 30% for stage T1 grade 3 cancer, namely approximately 30% of patients never have recurrence, 30% ultimately die of metastatic disease and 30% require deferred cystectomy.

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the second most frequent tumour of the urogenital tract. Tobacco smoke has been shown to increase the risk of bladder cancer two- to fivefold as well as the exposure to metabolites of aniline dyes and other aromatic amines. Seventy-five per cent of bladder cancers are superficial at initial presentation, limited to the mucosa, submucosa, or lamina propria. Recurrence rates after initial treatment are 50-80%, with progression to muscle-invading tumour in 10-25%. In muscle-invading bladder cancers, there is a 50% risk of distant metastases. Surgery is the mainstay of standard treatment both in the form of transurethral endoscopic resection, mainly for superficial disease, and in the form of open ablative surgery with urinary diversion for muscle invasive disease. Endovesical administration of BCG has been employed after endoscopic resection as the most effective agent for both prophylaxis of disease recurrence and progression from superficial to invasive disease. The accepted treatment for muscle infiltrative disease is radical cystectomy. Response rates to combination chemotherapy regimens of up to 70% in patients with advanced metastatic disease have led to an investigation of its use for locally invasive disease in combination with conventional modalities of treatment.

The role of a second transurethral resection for high-grade bladder cancer

High-grade, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer poses many difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The superficial, yet high-risk, nature of disease progression exemplifies the unique behavior of this form of bladder cancer. An adjunct to managing this difficult problem is a second staging transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT). This article reviews the pros and cons of a second staging TURBT and how it may impact the management of high-grade, low-stage superficial bladder cancer.

Substaging of T1 bladder carcinoma based on the depth of invasion as measured by micrometer: A new proposal

BACKGROUND

A significant number of T1 bladder carcinoma patients are understaged by transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB), indicating a substantial need for more accurate staging.

METHODS

The authors studied 55 patients with T1 bladder carcinoma detected by TURB at the Mayo Clinic between December 1979 and July 1984. The mean age of the patients was 66 years (range, 50-78 years). All patients were treated by cystectomy. The median interval from TURB to cystectomy was 10 days. Grading was performed according to the 1998 World Health Organization/International Society of Urologic Pathology grading system. The 1997 TNM classification was used for pathologic staging. In addition, the depth of invasion was measured from the mucosal basement membrane by micrometer. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the usefulness of depth of invasion as a marker for advanced stage bladder carcinoma (>/= T2).

RESULTS

The final pathologic stages were Ta (2 patients), T1 (10 patients), T2a (9 patients), T2b (13 patients), T3 (11 patients), and T4 (10 patients) at cystectomy. There was a significant correlation between the depth of invasion at TURB and the final pathologic stage (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.63; P < 0.001). The overall accuracy for the prediction of advanced stage (>/= T2) bladder carcinoma as measured by the area under the ROC curve was 0.89 (standard error, 0.05). Using 1.5 mm as a threshold (with >1.5 mm indicating advanced stage disease), the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 81%, 83%, 95%, and 56%, respectively. Histologic grade at the time of TURB also was associated significantly with final pathologic stage at cystectomy (P = 0.03) whereas stratification of patients according to invasion above or below the muscularis mucosae at TURB was not a significant predictor of final pathologic stage.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study show that substaging of T1 bladder carcinoma according to the depth of invasion (as measured by micrometer) provides significant prognostic information. Therefore the authors recommend that it be reported in specimens obtained by TURB.