Quality Control Indicators for Transurethral Resection of Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Application value of extreme flexion and abduction hip combined with stirrup-shaped multifunctional leg frame in blocking obturator nerve reflex in transurethral resection of bladder tumor

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness and safety of the extreme flexion and abduction hip combined with a stirrup-shaped multifunctional leg frame position in preventing obturator nerve reflex during plasma resection of bladder tumors (TUR-BT).

METHODS

A total of 112 patients with bladder tumors were included in the study. The control group was placed in a lithotomy position, while the experimental group was placed in an extreme flexion and abduction hip combined with a stirrup-shaped multifunctional leg frame position. The grade of leg jerking, operation time, and some operative complications were compared between groups.

RESULTS

The operation time, bleeding volume, the grade of leg jerking, second TUR-BT, and acquisition of detrusor muscle were significantly better in the experimental group compared to the control group (P = 0.018, P = 0.013, P < 0.001, P = 0.041, and P < 0.001, respectively). The grade of leg jerking in the experimental group was extremely low (distributed in grade 1 and 2), and there were no severe reactions in grade 3 and 4.

CONCLUSION

The extreme flexion and abduction hip combined with a stirrup-shaped multifunctional leg frame position for TUR-BT is a safe and effective treatment method that can effectively prevent obturator nerve reflex, reduce complications, improve surgical efficacy, and reduce anesthesia dependence and risk.

Optimizing cystoscopy and TURBT: enhanced imaging and artificial intelligence

Diagnostic cystoscopy in combination with transurethral resection of the bladder tumour are the standard for the diagnosis, surgical treatment and surveillance of bladder cancer. The ability to inspect the bladder in its current form stems from a long chain of advances in imaging science and endoscopy. Despite these advances, bladder cancer recurrence and progression rates remain high after endoscopic resection. This stagnation is a result of the heterogeneity of cancer biology as well as limitations in surgical techniques and tools, as incomplete resection and provider-specific differences affect cancer persistence and early recurrence. An unmet clinical need remains for solutions that can improve tumour delineation and resection. Translational advances in enhanced cystoscopy technologies and artificial intelligence offer promising avenues to overcoming the progress plateau.

Surgeon experience in second-look transurethral resection of bladder cancer - a prospective study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is crucial in the treatment of bladder tumors and when incorrectly performed can cause staging mistakes. To avoid these errors, a second resection is recommended in selected cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the surgeon's ability to predict histologically complete primary resection of newly diagnosed bladder tumors avoiding the need for a second TURBT.

METHODS

This is a prospective, observational study involving 47 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed bladder tumors who had previously undergone primary TURBT, and met EAU criteria for second-look TURBT. Second-look TURBT specimens were analyzed for routine histological assessment and compared with the surgeon's impression of the tumor at initial resection.

RESULTS

Of 91 patients submitted to primary TURBT, 47 met the criteria for second-look TURBT. Second-look specimens revealed residual disease in 20.9% of patients and 3 (6.4%) of patients showed upstaging disease. The sensitivity of a senior to detect disease on second-look TURBT in relation to muscle invasion was 75%, and the specificity was 85%.

CONCLUSIONS

Second-look TURBT is crucial in the treatment of bladder cancer and cannot be replaced by a surgeon's opinion, so international recommendations should be followed. Supervision of less experienced surgeons is a cornerstone.

[Should we all switch to en-bloc resection of bladder tumours?]

In En-Bloc Resection of Bladder Tumours (ERBT), tumours are not removed in fragments, but are dissected in one layer and, if possible, extracted in one piece. This method represents a significant shift in the surgical management of non-muscle-invasive bladder tumours, providing multiple benefits over the traditional transurethral resection of the bladder (TUR-B). The histological analysis of ERBT specimens is more accurate, enhancing diagnostic precision. Additionally, the presence of detrusor muscle in ERBT specimens is more frequent, indicating a more complete removal of the tumours. Recent years have seen the consolidation of a robust evidence base emphasizing the advantages of ERBT. Notably, a multicentric, prospective randomized trial has recently revealed a significant reduction in recurrence rates at 12 months follow-up compared with TUR-B. Experienced endourologists should explore this technique, as it may soon become the standard of care. The technique's elegance and effectiveness make it too important to be ignored.

Achieving Benchmarks for National Quality Indicators Reduces Recurrence and Progression in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer

BACKGROUND

Noncompliance with evidence-based interventions and guidelines contributes to significant and variable recurrence and progression in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The implementation of a quality performance indicator (QPI) programme in Scotland's National Health Service (NHS) aimed to improve cancer outcomes and reduce nationwide variance.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of hospitals achieving benchmarks for two specific QPIs on time to recurrence and progression in NMIBC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

QPIs for bladder cancer (BC) were enforced nationally in April 2014. NHS health boards collected prospective data on all new BC patients. Prospectively recorded surveillance data were pooled from 12 collaborating centres.

INTERVENTION

QPIs of interest were (1) hospitals achieving detrusor muscle (DM) sampling target at initial transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and (2) use of single instillation of mitomycin C after TURBT (SI-MMC).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The primary and secondary endpoints were time to recurrence and progression, respectively. Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariable regression analyses were performed.

KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS

Between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2017, we diagnosed 3899 patients with new BC, of which 2688 were NMIBC . With a median follow up of 60.3 mo, hospitals achieving the DM sampling target had a 5.4% lower recurrence rate at 5 yr than hospitals not achieving this target (442/1136 [38.9%] vs 677/1528 [44.3%], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-9.2, p = 0.005). SI-MMC was associated with a 20.4% lower recurrence rate (634/1791 [35.4%] vs 469/840 [55.8%], 95% CI = 16.4-24.5, p < 0.001). On Cox multivariable regression, meeting the DM target and SI-MMC were associated with significant improvement in recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73-0.91, p = 0.0002 and HR 0.66, 95% CI = 0.59-0.74, p < 0.004, respectively) as well as progression-free survival (HR 0.62, 95% CI = 0.45-0.84, p = 0.002 and HR 0.65, 95% CI = 0.49-0.87, p = 0.004, respectively). We did not have a national multicentre pre-QPI control.

CONCLUSIONS

Within a national QPI programme, meeting targets for sampling DM and SI-MMC in the real world were independently associated with delays to recurrence and progression in NMIBC patients.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Following the first 3 yr of implementing a novel quality performance indicator programme in Scotland, we evaluated compliance and outcomes in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In 2688 patients followed up for 5 yr, we found that achieving targets for sampling detrusor muscle and the single instillation of mitomycin C during and after transurethral resection of bladder tumour, respectively, were associated with delays in cancer recurrence and progression.

Endoplasmic Reticulum-Targeting AIE Photosensitizers to Boost Immunogenic Cell Death for Immunotherapy of Bladder Carcinoma

Bladder cancer is characterized by high rates of recurrence and multifocality. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) of cancer cells has emerged as a promising strategy to improve the immunogenicity of tumor cells for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. Although photosensitizer-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been validated as capable of inducing ICD in cancer cells, the photosensitizers with a sufficient ICD induction ability are still rare, and there have been few reports on the development of advanced photosensitizers to strongly evoke the ICD of bladder cancer cells for eliciting potent antitumor immune responses and eradicating bladder carcinoma in situ. In this work, we have synthesized a new kind of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer (named DPASCP-Tos), which could effectively anchor to the cellular ER and trigger focused reactive oxygen species (ROS) production within the ER, thereby boosting ICD in bladder cancer cells. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that bladder cancer cells killed by ER-targeted PDT could serve as a therapeutic cancer vaccine to elicit a strong antitumor immunity. Prophylactic vaccination of the bladder cancer cells killed by DPASCP-Tos under light irradiation promoted the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and the expansion of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in vivo and protected mice from subsequent in situ bladder tumor rechallenge and extended animal survival. In summary, the ER-targeted AIEgens developed here significantly amplified the ICD of bladder cells through focused ROS-based ER oxidative stress and transformed bladder cancer cells into the therapeutic vaccine to enhance immunogenicity against orthotopic bladder cancer, providing valuable insights for bladder carcinoma treatment.

Effects of intravenous chemotherapy after TURBT for high-risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: results of a retrospective study

PURPOSE

This study compared the efficacy and safety of intravenous chemotherapy combined with intravesical chemotherapy versus intravesical chemotherapy alone for high-risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (HRNMIBC) patients after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 349 HRNMIBC cases admitted to TangDu hospital between January 2014 and June 2019. After TURBT, 262 patients received intravesical chemotherapy alone, whereas 87 patients underwent intravesical chemotherapy in combination with intravenous chemotherapy. The recurrence rate and progression rate were assessed by Chi-square test, the prognostic factors for tumor recurrence were predicted by univariable and multivariable Cox hazards analyses, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

In this study, the recurrence rate was 24.7% (19/77) in the intravenous chemotherapy combined group and 41.6% (102/245) in the intravesical chemotherapy group, while the progression rate was 6.5% (5/77) and 14.3% (35/245) in the two groups respectively. The two groups differed significantly in recurrence rate (p = 0.007) while the progression rate did not show a significant difference (p = 0.071). Multivariable analyses revealed that additional intravenous chemotherapy treatment was an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in the cohort (hazard ratio [HR], 0.495, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.275-0.892, p = 0.019). Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant differences in RFS and PFS between the two groups, with a log-rank P value of p < 0.005 and p = 0.045, respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicity was reported in 2 of 77 patients in the intravenous chemotherapy combined group, including nausea/vomiting 1.3% (1/77) and hypoleukemia 1.3% (1/77).

CONCLUSION

Intravenous chemotherapy of gemcitabine and cisplatin combined with intravesical chemotherapy after TURBT can effectively reduce the postoperative recurrence rate, most toxicities were minor and reversible, and it may be considered as a new choice for HRNMIBC patients.

The DEpth of Endoscopic Perforation scale to assess intraoperative perforations during transurethral resection of bladder tumor: subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Bladder perforation (BP) is the most important intraoperative adverse event of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). It is frequently underreported despite its impact on the postoperative course. There is no standardized classification of BP. The study aims to develop a classification of the depth of endoscopic bladder perforation during TURBT.

METHODS

This is a sub-analysis of a prospective randomized trial enrolling 248 patients submitted to en-bloc vs conventional TURBT from 03/2018 to 06/2021. The DEpth of Endoscopic Perforation (DEEP) scale is as follows: "0" visible muscular layer with no perivesical fat; "1" visible muscle fibers with spotted perivesical fat; "2" exposition of perivesical fat; "3" intraperitoneal perforation. Logistic and linear regression models were used to investigate predictors of high-grade perforations (DEEP 2-3) and to assess whether the DEEP scale independently predicted patients' postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 146/248 (58.9%), 56/248 (22.6%), 41/248 (16.5%), 5/248 (2.0%) patients presented DEEP grade 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Female gender [B coeff. 0.255 (95% CI 0.001-0.513); p = 0.05], tumor location [B coeff. 0.188 (0.026-0.339); p = 0.015], and obturator-nerve reflex [B coeff. 0.503 (0.148-0.857); p = 0.006] were independent predictors of DEEP. The scale predicted independently major complications [Odd Ratio (OR) 2.221 (1.098-4.495); p = 0.026], no post-operative chemotherapy intravesical instillation [OR 9.387 (2.434-36.200); p = 0.001], longer irrigation time [B coeff. 0.299 (0.166-0.441); p < 0.001] and hospital stay [B coeff. 0.315 (0.111-0.519); p = 0.003].

CONCLUSION

The DEEP scale provides a visual tool for grading bladder perforation during TURBT, which can help physicians standardize complication reporting and plan postoperative management accordingly.

Bladder perforation as a complication of transurethral resection of bladder tumors: the predictors, management, and its impact in a series of 1570 at a tertiary urology institute

OBJECTIVES

To report the incidence, predictors, the impact of bladder perforation (BP), and our protocol of management in patients who underwent trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).

METHODS

This is a retrospective study, between 2006 and 2020, on patients who underwent TURBT for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Bladder perforation was defined as any full thickness resection of the bladder wall. Bladder perforations were managed based on their severity and type. Small BP with no or mild symptoms were managed with prolongation of urethral catheters. Those with significant extraperitoneal extravasations were managed by insertion of a tube drain (TD). Abdominal exploration was done for extensive BP and all intraperitoneal extravasations.

RESULTS

Our study included 1,570 patients, the mean age was 58 ± 11 years and 86% were males. Bladder perforation was recorded in 10% (n = 158) of the patients. The perforation was extraperitoneal in 95%, and in 86%, the perforation was associated with no symptoms, mild symptoms, or mild fluid extravasation that required only prolongation of the urethral catheter. On the other hand, active intervention was required for the 21 remaining patients (14%) with TD being the most frequent management. History of previous TURBT (p = 0.001) and obturator jerk (p = 0.0001) were the only predictors for BP.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence of bladder perforation is 10%; however, 86% required only prolongation of urethral catheter. Bladder perforation did not affect the probability for tumor recurrence, tumor progression nor radical cystectomy.

Absence of detrusor muscle in TUR-BT specimen - can we predict who is at highest risk?

INTRODUCTION

As a high-quality TUR-BT is important to ensure adequate treatment for bladder cancer patients, the aim of the current study is to investigate the impact of patient-related, surgical and tumor-specific parameters on detrusor muscle (DM) absence (primary objective) and to assess the impact of DM on the prognosis after a TUR-BT (secondary objective).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TUR-BTs) between 2009 and 2021 were retrospectively screened (n = 3237). We included 2058 cases (1472 patients) for the primary and 472 patients for secondary objective. Clinicopathological variables including tumor size, localization, multifocality, configuration, operation time and skill-level of the urologist were assessed. We analyzed predictors for missing DM and prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) for the complete cohort and subgroups.

RESULTS

DM was present in 67.6% (n = 1371/2058). Surgery duration (continuous, minutes) was an independent predictor for absence of DM in the complete cohort (OR:0.98, r:0.012, 95%CI:0.98-0.99, p = 0.001). Other significant risk factors for missing DM were papillary tumors (OR:1.99, r:0.251, 95%CI:1.22-3.27, p = 0.006) in the complete cohort and bladder-roof and posterior-bladder-wall localization for re-resections. Absence of DM in high-grade BC correlated with reduced RFS (HR:1.96, 95%CI:1.0-3.79, p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Sufficient time for a TUR-BT is mandatory to assure DM in the TUR-BT specimen. Also, cases with more difficult locations of bladder tumors should be performed with utmost surgical diligence and endourological training should incorporate how to perform such operations. Of note, DM correlates with improved oncological prognosis in high-grade BC.

Conceptual framework and documentation standards of cystoscopic media content for artificial intelligence

BACKGROUND

The clinical documentation of cystoscopy includes visual and textual materials. However, the secondary use of visual cystoscopic data for educational and research purposes remains limited due to inefficient data management in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

A conceptual framework was designed to document cystoscopy in a standardized manner with three major sections: data management, annotation management, and utilization management. A Swiss-cheese model was proposed for quality control and root cause analyses. We defined the infrastructure required to implement the framework with respect to FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) principles. We applied two scenarios exemplifying data sharing for research and educational projects to ensure compliance with FAIR principles.

RESULTS

The framework was successfully implemented while following FAIR principles. The cystoscopy atlas produced from the framework could be presented in an educational web portal; a total of 68 full-length qualitative videos and corresponding annotation data were sharable for artificial intelligence projects covering frame classification and segmentation problems at case, lesion, and frame levels.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that the proposed framework facilitates the storage of visual documentation in a standardized manner and enables FAIR data for education and artificial intelligence research.

Thulium laser enucleation of bladder tumour (Thulebt): Changing paradigm in the management of nonmuscle invasive urinary bladder carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the safety and efficacy of Thulium laser en bloc enucleation of bladder tumour (ThuLEBT) in comparison to transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) for treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

METHODS

Prospective observational study involving 30 patients in each group of ThuLEBT and TURBT admitted in tertiary care centre from 1st January 2021 to December 2021.

RESULTS

Significant difference was found in terms of less operative time (p-0.01468), less intraoperative blood loss, a lower incidence of obturator nerve reflex (p-0.00006), bladder perforation (p-0.0455) and bladder irrigation (p-0.0027), better acquisition of detrusor muscle (p-0.0466), less recurrence rate (p-0.0455) in favour of ThuLEBT over TURBT group. The analysis also demonstrated faster postoperative recovery in terms of the duration of catheterisation, bladder irrigation and hospitalisation time in ThuLEBT group.

CONCLUSIONS

ThuLEBT is an efficient and safe treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and it can be a better alternative choice in place of TURBT.

Quality Indicators in the Clinical Specialty of Urology: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

In health care, monitoring of quality indicators (QIs) in general urology remains underdeveloped in comparison to other clinical specialties.

OBJECTIVE

To identify, synthesise, and appraise QIs that monitor in-hospital care for urology patients.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

This systematic review included peer-reviewed articles identified via Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Global Health, Google Scholar, and grey literature from 2000 to February 19, 2021. The review was carried out under the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and used the Appraisal of Indicators through Research and Evaluation (AIRE) tool for quality assessment.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 5111 articles and 62 government agencies were screened for QI sets. There were a total of 57 QI sets included for analysis. Most QIs focused on uro-oncology, with prostate, bladder, and testicular cancers the most represented. The most common QIs were surgical QIs in uro-oncology (positive surgical margin, surgical volume), whereas in non-oncology the QIs most frequently reported were for treatment and diagnosis. Out of 61 articles, only four scored a total of ≥50% on the AIRE tool across four domains. Aside from QIs developed in uro-oncology, general urological QIs are underdeveloped and of poor methodological quality and most lack testing for both content validity and reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an urgent need for the development of methodologically robust QIs in the clinical specialty of general urology for patients to enable standardised quality of care monitoring and to improve patient outcomes.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We investigated a range of quality indicators (QIs) that provide health care professionals with feedback on the quality of their care for patients with general urological diseases. We found that aside from urological cancers, there is a lack of QIs for general urology. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of robust and disease-specific QIs in general urology.

How to Perform Intravesical Chemotherapy after Second TURBT for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

The objective of this study aimed to explore whether the original IVC regimen should be continued after the second TURBT or whether the IVC induction phase should be restarted from the beginning.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 137 patients who underwent a second TURBT at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between April 2014 and June 2022. Based on the pathological findings, patients were divided into two groups: group A patients, who did not have a residual tumor on pathological examination after the second TURBT; and group B patients, who had residual tumor. Recurrence was determined using cystoscopy and imaging every three months. The endpoint was recurrence-free survival.

RESULT

In the entire cohort, there was a statistically significant difference in the RFS between patients in the two IVC regimens (p = 0.029). The RFS of patients in group B1 was significantly lower than that of patients in group B2 (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in RFS between the subgroups A1 and A2 (p = 0.560). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that the IVC regimen after a second TURBT (p = 0.012) and T stage after a second TURBT (p = 0.005) were both independent predictors for patient RFS.

CONCLUSION

If the pathological findings of the second TURBT specimen is benign, patients can continue their previous treatment regimen without restarting an IVC induction phase. Unnecessary IVC can be avoided in these patients. In contrast, for patients with residual tumors in the second TURBT specimen, the need to restart the IVC induction phase should be emphasized to improve patient prognosis.

Quality Control Indicators for Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: Results from an Embedded Belgian Multicenter Prospective Registry

BACKGROUND

Quality control indicators (QCIs) can be used to objectively evaluate guideline adherence and benchmark quality among urologists and centers.

OBJECTIVE

To assess six QCIs for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) using a prospective registry of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) procedures.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Clinical data for TURBT cases were prospectively collected using electronic case report forms (eCRFs) embedded in the electronic medical record in three centers during 2013-2017. Pathological data were collected retrospectively. Patients with T0 disease or prior T2 disease were excluded.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

We assessed six QCIs: complete resection (CR) status, presence of detrusor muscle (DM), re-TURBT, single instillation of mitomycin C (MMC), start of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy, and therapy ≤6 wk after diagnosis. We assessed the quality of reporting on QCIs and compliance with QCIs, compared compliance between centers and over time, and investigated correlation between compliance and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Data for 1350 TURBT procedures were collected, of which 1151 were included for 907 unique patients. The distribution of European Association of Urology risk categories after TURBT was 271 with low risk, 464 with intermediate risk, and 416 with high risk. The quality of reporting for two QCIs was suboptimal, at 35% for DM and 51% for BCG. QCI compliance was 97% for CR, 31% for DM, 65% for MMC, 33% for re-TURBT, 39% for BCG, and 88% for therapy ≤6 wk after diagnosis. Compliance with all QCIs differed significantly among centers. Compliance with MMC and re-TURBT increased significantly over time, which could be attributed to one center. Compliance with MMC was significantly correlated with RFS. The main study limitation is the retrospective collection of pathology data.

CONCLUSIONS

A TURBT registry consisting of eCRFs to collect pathology and outcome data allowed assessment of QCIs for NMIBC. Our study illustrates the feasibility of this approach in a real-life setting. Differences in performance on QCIs among centers can motivate urologists to improve their day-to-day care for patients with NMIBC, and can thus improve clinical outcomes.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Our study demonstrates that quality control indicators for treatment of bladder cancer not invading the bladder muscle can be evaluated using electronic medical records. We assessed results for 1151 procedures in 907 individual patients to remove bladder tumors between 2013 and 2017 at three centers in Belgium. Compliance with the quality control indicators differed between centers, increased over time, and was correlated with recurrence of disease.

The Safety and Efficacy of Vela Laser En-Bloc Endoscopic Resection versus Conventional Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor-A Single Center Experience

(1) Background: The current gold standard treatment of bladder cancer is conventional transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (CTURBT) using monopolar or bipolar resectoscopes. Laser en-bloc resection of the bladder tumor (LERBT) could achieve a higher quality of the specimen, reduce perioperative complications, and decrease the recurrence rate. Here, we compare the efficacy and safety of en-bloc Vela laser resection versus the conventional monopolar/bipolar resection; (2) Methods: A total of 100 clinically cT1-2 patients with bladder cancer were retrospectively reviewed in this study. Among these patients, 50 patients received LERBT, and 50 patients received CTURBT. The baseline characteristics, operation variables, and clinical outcomes were collected. The primary performance was the presence of muscle layer in the specimen. Perioperative complications and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were also compared. Independent t-test, Chi-square test, Kaplan–Meier curves, and the Cox-regression model were used in the analysis; (3) Results: The median age of the patients in the laser and resectoscope groups was 69.2 and 68.0 years old, respectively. The statistical difference in the presence of the detrusor muscle was 92.0% in the laser group and 70.0% in the CTURBT group (p = 0.005). A lower incidence of bladder perforation (p = 0.041) and major surgical complications (p = 0.046) in the LEBRT group was observed. We found no differences in operation duration, catheterization time, and hospitalization time after adjustment. Additionally, there was no statistical difference in RFS after a median follow-up time of 25 months; (4) Conclusions: Endoscopic laser en-bloc resection of bladder tumor with Vela laser is an effective method with higher muscle inclusion rate and fewer complications.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of perioperative outcomes and prognosis of transurethral en-bloc resection vs. conventional transurethral resection for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES

This article aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of perioperative outcomes and prognosis of transurethral en-bloc resection versus conventional transurethral resection for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL) to find eligible RCTs. The studies were classified by version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Review Manager 5.4.0 was used to evaluate the data. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Guideline Development Tool by GRADEpro GDT.

RESULTS

Seven RCTs with 1142 patients was included in the present study. The results indicated that bladder perforation (OR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.67; P = 0.01), obturator nerve reflex (OR = 0.03; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.13; P < 0.00001), residual tumor (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.77; P = 0.02) and repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor (re-TURBT) (OR = 0.54; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.85; P = 0.008) were significantly reduced in the en-bloc resection group than the conventional resection group. However, there were no significant differences in hemoglobin deficit (p = 0.31), urethral stricture (p = 0.47), and detrusor muscle presence (P = 0.16) between both groups. Besides, resection time (p = 0.25), operative time (p = 0.20), catheter dwell time (p = 0.24), and length of hospital stay (p = 0.16) were similar in the two groups. Meanwhile, en-bloc resection yielded no advantage for the 3-month (P = 0.11), 6-month (P = 0.05), 1-year (P = 0.61), 2-year (P = 0.53), and 3-year (P = 0.26) tumor recurrence rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis shows that transurethral en-bloc resection is associated with comparable outcomes to conventional transurethral resection for recurrence-free survival in NMIBC patients. En-bloc resection is more feasible and safer than conventional resection for NMIBC, with fewer intraoperative complications, less residual tumor, and less re-TURBT.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) as a day-case: A real-world practice and patients’ perspective from a district general hospital (DGH)

Introduction:

Day-case transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is currently only performed in 18% cases across the United Kingdom. To determine 30-day readmission rate and morbidity after day-case TURBT in a district general hospital (DGH) and to report patient demographics, quality of TURBT and early recurrence rate as well as patient feedback after day-case TURBT.

Methods:

A retrospective audit of day-case TURBTs over a 3-year pre-COVID19 (2017–20) was performed. We only included patients who underwent a TURBT and excluded any cystoscopy and biopsy or fulguration. A day-case TURBT pathway is in place in this centre. Feedback was obtained using hospital patient feedback forms.

Results:

We included 77 patients who underwent TURBT in the day-case theatre, of these 5 patients required in-patient stay after the surgery. Of the remaining 72 discharged on the same day, 8 were re-admitted (11%) for Clavien-Dindo I complications. The readmission/failed discharge group had a higher rate of older patients, with higher ASA scores and longer operative times, however resection quality and tumour characteristics were not different from the day-case TURBTs. All patients reported an overall positive experience (good or very good).

Conclusions:

In the first of its kind audit reporting patient feedback after day-case TURBT, the data obtained can provide us and other centres adopting day-case TURBTs guidance to employ better patient selection to reduce readmission rates. Hence, day-case TURBT can be a feasible option in appropriately selected patients, with a suitable pathway in place.

Reduced Recurrence Rates Are Associated with Photodynamic Diagnostics Compared to White Light after Extended Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors

One pillar in treating non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is the complete and high-quality transurethral resection of the primary tumor (TURBT). However, even after a high-quality primary resection, the residual tumor risk is considerable, thus requiring a re-TURBT. Resections performed with the aid of a photodynamic diagnostics report improved recurrence-free survival rates and increased detection rates of carcinoma in situ (CIS). This monocentric retrospective study reports on patients treated with an extended TURBT procedure using conventional white-light cystoscopy or photodynamic diagnostics (PDD). Only patients undergoing a TURBT resection for their primary tumor were included in the statistical analysis. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were the clinical endpoints. Mann−Whitney U tests and chi-squared tests were used for descriptive intergroup comparisons. The associations with overall survival and recurrence-free survival were determined by univariate and multivariate analyses. The test results were considered significant when p was < 0.05. In comparison to conventional white-light cystoscopy, PDD increased the detection rates of CIS (p = 0.004) and tumor multifocality (p = 0.005) and led to reduced residual tumor incidence at the primary resection site (p < 0.001). Likewise, tumor recurrence rates were reduced in the PDD cohort (p < 0.001). Patient age and the presence of residual tumor at the primary resection site were identified as independent predictors of overall survival. For recurrence-free survival, only the PDD resection method was an independent predictor (HR = 0.43; p < 0.001). In summary, we demonstrated that the utilization of PDD techniques was associated with improved detection rates of CIS and multifocal tumors and with reduced recurrence rates. The extended resection protocol allowed us to determine that PDD resections lead to a reduced residual tumor rate at the initial resection site. This residual tumor state at the resection site, determined by extended TURBT, became an independent predictor of long-term survival. On the other hand, the PDD technique was confirmed as the only independent predictor of recurrence-free survival.

Clinical Efficacy and Quality of Life Assessment of Partial Cystectomy and Plasmakinetic Transurethral Resection of Tumor in Bladder Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVE

Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system, with an incidence ranking the first in the urinary system. Without timely and effective treatment, the tumor may spread to other parts of the body. Traditional partial cystectomy (PC) and plasmakinetic transurethral resection of bladder tumor (PKRBT) are common surgical methods for superficial bladder cancer (SBC). This study aims to clarify the clinical efficacy of bladder carcinoma (BC) patients treated by either PC or PKRBT and their effects on the quality of life (QOL) of patients.

METHODS

A total of 142 patients with SBC treated in Wenzhou Central Hospital and Bei da huang Industry Group General Hospital from March 2018 to June 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the surgical method, patients undergoing PKRBT were included in the research group (n = 74) while those treated by PC were included in the control group (n = 69). Surgical indicators (intraoperative blood loss, IBL; operating time, OT; bladder irrigation time; catheter retention time; length of hospital stay, LOS), postoperative complication rate, and one-year recurrence rate were compared between the two groups. Besides, the levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10], psychological and emotional scores (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, SAS; Self-Rating Depression Scale, SDS), and living conditions (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) before and after treatment were compared.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, patients in the research group had 1) less IBL, less time of OT, bladder irrigation and indwelling catheter time, as well as shorter postoperative LOS; 2) lower contents of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, and higher IL-10; 3) lower SAS and SDS scores and higher PSQI; and 4) fewer postoperative complications and lower one-year recurrence rate.

CONCLUSION

Compared with PC, PKRBT contributes to higher efficacy and better postoperative QOL in patients SBC.

Diagnostic benefit of multiparametric MRI over contrast-enhanced CT in patients with bladder cancer: A single-center 1-year experience

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical applicability of local tumor staging in urinary bladder cancer (BC) with preoperative multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) using the five-point Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system and to compare it to dual-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

METHODS

33 patients with primary untreated bladder cancer underwent CECT followed by preoperative multiparametric 3.0 T MRI between July 2019 and August 2020 and were enrolled in this retrospective study. Two radiologists initially performed staging on the CECT image data sets and - blinded to CT results - on subsequent mpMRI. BCs were staged according to the VI-RADS scoring system. Postoperative pathology was correlated to the VI-RADS score and the CECT results. The performance of VI-RADS in determining detrusor muscle invasion was analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Based on the histopathology, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for muscle invasiveness between both image modalities were compared using the Chi square test.

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients (29 male, median age 70 years, IQR: 59-81 years) were included. 10 tumors were categorized as non-muscle invasive (30%) and 23 as muscle invasive BC (70%) in final histology. Tumor stages were correctly assigned as being either muscle invasive or non-muscle invasive on both CECT and mpMRI with regard to both early and late stages of BC (Ta-Tis and T3a-T4b). T-stages bordering the histopathologic limits of muscle invasiveness (T1-T2a-b) resulted in overestimation of muscle invasion in 43% of cases (VI-RADS 3-4) for the mpMRI image data sets and in an underestimation of muscle invasion in up to 55.5% of cases analysing the CECT data. Sensitivity and specificity for the determination of muscle invasion in CECT and mpMRI were 80%/80% and 74%/61% for Radiologist#1 and 70%/90% and 83%/70% for Radiologist#2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There are advantages and disadvantages of both CECT and mpMRI when used in the clinical assessment of BC muscular tumor invasion. In borderline cases, only the combination of cross-sectional imaging and histopathological staging may help in making the optimal treatment decisions.

A Systematic Review of Thulium Fiber Laser: Applications and Advantages of Laser Technology in the Field of Urology

Laser technology is widely used in urological surgery, from lithotripsy, prostate surgery to en-bloc resection of tumours. While Holmium:YAG has been widely employed over the last two decades, in recent years, there has been a surge of interest in Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL), which offers theoretical advantages of better water absorption and lower stone ablation thresholds. A systematic review was conducted to assess the evidence from clinical research on TFL's application for lithotripsy and prostate surgery. It identified 357 articles and 8 (1506 patients) were selected, of which 4 clinical studies each investigated TFL enucleation of prostate (ThuFLEP) and TFL lithotripsy. For flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURSL), stone ablation settings ranged from 0.1-4 J, and 7-300 Hz, mean operative time ranged from 23.4-39.8 minutes and lasing time ranged from 1.2-10 minutes. For stone dusting in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), settings of 0.2 J and 125-200 Hz were found to be optimal. For ThuFLEP, all studies showed a significant improvement in IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score), urinary flow rate (Qmax), quality of life measures, and post-void residual volume, with mean operative time ranging from 67-104.5 minutes. Our review shows that there is limited evidence on the use and clinical outcomes of TFL. ThuFLEP might suggest equivalence to the widely used HoLEP in the available evidence so far. TFL lithotripsy shows promising results but further prospective, randomized trials are required to properly assess its usability, clinical effectiveness and standardisation of the settings for successful adoption of the technology.

Real World Outcomes of Patients with Bladder Cancer: Effectiveness Versus Efficacy of Modern Treatment Paradigms

Bladder cancer remains a common and insidious disease in the United States. There have been several advances in the understanding of the biology of bladder cancer, novel diagnostic tools, improvements in multidisciplinary care pathways, and new therapeutics for advanced disease over the past few decades. Clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy for new treatments in each disease state, but additional work is needed to advance the effectiveness of bladder cancer care. Real world data provide critical information regarding patterns of care, adverse events, and outcomes helping to bridge the efficacy versus effectiveness gap.

Can repeat biopsy be skipped after initial complete resection of T1 bladder cancer? The role of a novel urinary mRNA biomarker

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively investigate the role of a urinary mRNA biomarker (Xpert Test) after initial complete resection of T1 bladder cancer (BC) for the prediction of positive repeat biopsy for malignancy.

METHODS

Patients who underwent TURBT for NMIBC between September 2018 and April 2020 were included. Patients with benign pathology, incomplete resection, concomitant CIS/upper tract urothelial tumor or muscle invasive BC, were excluded. 2 to 6 weeks after primary TURBT, voided urine sample was retrieved for Xpert analysis and patients were scheduled for repeat biopsy. The primary outcome was to determine the role of positive Xpert test to predict positive repeat biopsy for malignancy.

RESULTS

During the study period, 254 patients met the study inclusion criteria of which 61 (24%) patients had recurrent NMIBC. Complete resection was censured by the presence of detrusor muscle in the specimen with documented T1 disease in all study participants. Xpert test was positive in 128 patients; of whom 85 (66.4%) showed positive repeat biopsy (HR=6.2, 95%CI=3.46-9.4, P = 0.002). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of Xpert test for repeat biopsy were 85.9% (95%CI: 82-89), 72.3% (95%CI: 68-76), 66.4% (95%CI: 62-71) and 88.9% (95%CI: 85-94), respectively. On median (range) follow up of 12(3-25) months, tumor recurrence was encountered in 84 (35%) patients. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, Xpert test was significantly associated with tumor recurrence (HR= 9.7, 95%CI=5-18, P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Positive Xpert test after primary complete resection of T1 BC is significantly associated with positive repeat biopsy for malignancy. In addition, Xpert test is an independent predictor of early tumor recurrence. Xpert test might be applied after initial complete resection of NMIBC to minimize unnecessary repeat biopsy with potential saving of healthcare costs and reduction in patient morbidity.

Holmium Laser En-bloc Resection Versus Conventional Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors for Treatment of Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

En-bloc resection of bladder tumors achieves complete tumor removal, improves the quality of resection, decreases perioperative complication, and potentially improves recurrence rates.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of holmium laser en-bloc resection (HolERBT) versus conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumor (cTURBT).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Between September 2015 and September 2018, 100 patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer were randomly allocated to cTURBT or HolERBT.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The primary endpoint was detection of residual tumor in reTURBT specimens at 4 wk after the primary resection. Operative parameters, specimen quality, perioperative complications, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared. Independent sample t tests, χ² tests, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used, as appropriate.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

The patient and tumor baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. Residual tumors were detected in 7% and 27.7% of cases after HolERBT and cTURBT, respectively (p=0.01). Detrusor muscle was sampled in 98% of HolERBT and 62% of cTURBT cases (p<0.001). Lamina propria invasion substaging was feasible in only 68.2% of HolERBT and 18.4% of cTURBT cases (p<0.001). Following HolERBT, catheterization time (p<0.001) and hospital stay (p=0.001) were shorter when compared to cTURBT. Immediate postoperative instillation of chemotherapy in indicated cases was feasible for 100% of the HolERBT group and 91.5% of the cTURBT group (p=0.04). After follow-up of 20 ± 9.9 mo (13-36), RFS was 31.76 mo (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.67-34.86) in the HolERBT group and 28.25 mo (95% CI 24.87-31.64) in the cTURBT group (hazard ratio 0.43, 95% CI 0.17-1.1; p=0.07). However, this study was not powered to detect a difference in RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to cTURBT, HolERBT is a safer procedure for bladder tumor resection. It fulfills the oncological criteria of optimized resection with less residual tumor and better specimen quality.

PATIENT SUMMARY

En-bloc resection of bladder cancer tumors using a holmium laser is safer than the conventional technique. It has the advantages of less residual tumor and better specimen quality, with a similar tumor recurrence rate. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02555163.

Enhanced Quality and Effectiveness of Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Multicentre Real-world Experience from Scotland's Quality Performance Indicators Programme

BACKGROUND

Clinical outcomes from non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are partly determined by the quality of initial interventions. To improve and standardise treatment for cancer, Scotland implemented a national Quality Performance Indicator (QPI) programme for bladder cancer (BC).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate compliance with specific quality indicators (QIs) related to transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and to understand clinical outcomes from NMIBC following the introduction of the QPI programme.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Within a robust governance framework, 12 mandatory evidence-based QPIs were implemented nationally in April 2014. We report prospectively collected data for all new BC patients (between April 2014 and March 2017). We include follow-up data for 2689 patients.

INTERVENTION

The TURBT-related QPIs were (1) using a bladder diagram, (2) single post-TURBT instillation of mitomycin C (SPI-MMC), (3) detrusor muscle (DM) in the specimen, and (4) early re-TURBT in high-risk NMIBC.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

We measured compliance with these QPIs and (1) recurrence rate at first follow-up cystoscopy (RRFFC), (2) rates of residual cancer, and (3) pT2 cancer at re-TURBT. Associations between QPI compliance, tumour features, and outcomes were assessed with multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Among 4246 new BC patients, SPI-MMC was used in 67% (2029/3023) NMIBC patients. In 1860 NMIBC patients undergoing TURBT, RRFFC, rate of residual cancer, and rate of pT2 at re-TURBT were 13% (116/888), 33% (212/653), and 2.9% (19/653), respectively. SPI-MMC was associated with lower RRFFC, independent of all variables including hospital volume and surgeon. Presence of DM in the specimen halved the likelihood of residual disease in pT1 cancers. The main limitation is the lack of a pre-QPI introduction cohort for comparison.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a QI programme in Scotland appears to facilitate high-quality TURBT, which in a real-world setting is associated with low early recurrence/residual cancer and accurate pathological staging.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Following the first 3 yr of implementing a novel Quality Performance Indicator (QPI) programme in Scotland, we assessed compliance and outcomes in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Evaluating over 4000 new bladder cancer patients, we found that the QPI programme was associated with low recurrence and accurate staging following the initial transurethral resection of bladder tumour.

Transurethral needle electrode resection and transurethral holmium laser resection of bladder cancer

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to explore the efficacy and safety of transurethral needle electrode resection and transurethral holmium laser resection of non-muscular invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Patients and methods

In this prospective, case-control study, patients from the Urinary Surgery or Oncology Department who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria received transurethral needle electrode resection (n = 52) or transurethral holmium laser resection (n = 51).

Results

A total of 103 patients with NMIBC were included in the present study, with 68 males and 35 females. Their mean age was 57.3 years. Sixty-two patients had Ta, 15 patients had T1, and 26 patients had Tis. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative gross hematuria time, bladder irrigation time, and postoperative hospitalization time were all significantly lower in the transurethral holmium laser resection group than the transurethral needle electrode resection group. After resection, transurethral holmium laser resection significantly decreased the value of HGF, TSH, and TNF-α versus the transurethral needle electrode resection group. The incidence of obturator reflex was significantly lower in the transurethral holmium laser resection group than the transurethral needle electrode resection group. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival rate and progression-free survival rate between the two groups.

Conclusions

Transurethral holmium laser resection has clinical advantages in the treatment of NMIBC.

Safety, feasibility, and quality of holmium laser en-bloc resection of nonmuscle invasive bladder tumors - A single-center experience

Introduction:

Conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumor (cTURBT), despite its piecemeal resection and associated limitations, remains the most widely practiced technique of TURBT. Resecting the tumor in a single piece would avoid most of the drawbacks of cTURBT. Our objective was to assess the feasibility, safety, and quality of Holmium (Ho) laser en-bloc resection (ERBT) for nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively studied 67 patients who underwent Ho laser EBRT for primary NMIBC. Data were collected regarding tumor size, number and location, intraoperative complications, and postoperative course. Patients were grouped as first 20, next 20 (21–40), and last 27 cases to assess how the quality of resection improved with increasing experience.

Results:

The mean tumor size was 28.7 ± 7.9 mm, with 34.3% of the patients having a tumor larger than 3 cm. While 43 patients (64.17%) had a single tumor, the rest had multiple tumors, ranging from 2 to 9 in number. The mean total duration of resection was 38.7 ± 11.6 min. No case required conversion to cTURBT. No patient experienced obturator reflex or bladder perforation. Detrusor muscle was present in 85.07% of the resections. With increasing experience, requirement for bladder irrigation and the incidence of postoperative clot evacuation decreased (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.31, respectively), and the detrusor-positive rate in the specimen increased (P = 0.24). The mean duration of catheterization was 1.76 ± 0.54 days.

Conclusion:

Ho laser ERBT is safe and feasible for complete resection of NMIBCs with no risk of obturator-nerve reflex and a high rate of detrusor-positive specimens.

Slingshot homolog-1 expression is a poor prognostic factor of pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma after transurethral resection

Objective

Slingshot homolog-1 (SSH-1) shows an important role in the occurrence and development in various tumors. While, the expression and prognostic implications of SSH-1 in bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) remain unclear and thus were addressed in this study.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on tissue microarrays composed of 624 bladder UC specimens after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) to detect SSH-1 expression. The clinic-pathological features were compared between SSH-1( +) and SSH-1(−) subgroups. The Kaplan–Meier curve with log-rank test and univariate/multivariate Cox regression model with stepwise backward elimination methods were performed for survival analyses.

Results

In this study, 359 (57.53%) specimens were detected with SSH-1 expression. SSH-1 positivity was significantly associated with higher pathological grade (p = 0.020), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.006), tumor recurrence (p < 0.001) and progression (p < 0.001) in bladder UC. Besides, SSH-1 positivity predicted a shorter overall survival (OS, p = 0.024), recurrence-free survival (RFS, p < 0.001), progression-free survival (PFS, p = 0.002) and cancer-specific survival (CSS, p = 0.047). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that tumor size (p = 0.007), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.003), recurrence (p < 0.001), progression (p < 0.001) and SSH-1 expression (p = 0.015) were predictors of poor prognosis in bladder UC patients.

Conclusions

SSH-1 expression was associated with undesirable clinic-pathological characteristics and poor post-operative prognosis in bladder UC patients. SSH-1 might play an important role in bladder UC and serve as a promising predictor of oncological outcomes in patients with bladder UC.

Development of a Prospective Data Registry System for Non-muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients Incorporated in the Electronic Patient File System

Purpose: To develop a prospective non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) data registry by generating NMIBC-specific electronic case report forms (eCRFs) in our institution's electronic patient file system, and to report on the development and implementation of a prospective multicentric registry.

Methods: Templates for data collection, including clinical outcome parameters and quality indicators, were developed in InfoPath™ as an eCRF and were incorporated in our hospital's electronic patient file system. Quality parameters for managing NMIBC patients that were identified by comprehensive literature review were included in the eCRFs. Three separate eCRFs were developed for the management of NMIBC patients: surgery report, bladder instillation form, and multidisciplinary team form.

Results: In August 2013, we started a Flemish prospective clinical and pathological data registry for all patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) for NMIBC in four participating hospitals, three of which continued using this to date. Three more hospitals started enrolling in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Written reports of the registered clinical actions are automatically generated within the electronic medical file. When urologists complete these eCRFs, an automated ready-to-send letter to the general practitioner is generated. Up till May 2019, 2,756 TURBTs in 2,419 patients are included in the dataset. Currently, we are recruiting over 600 TURBTs every year.

Conclusions: Easy-to-use eCRFs were developed and included in the electronic patient file system. This registration tool was implemented in 7 hospitals, 6 of which are still using it today. The register harvests important clinical data, while performing routine clinical practice. The data will be used to analyze real-life data of NMIBC patients, to challenge the existing guidelines, to create novel risk stratification tools, and to develop, monitor and validate quality parameters for NMIBC management.

Efficacy of fluorescent cystoscopy-assisted transurethral resection in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and quality of surgery: post-hoc analysis of а prospective randomized study

Introduction

This paper aims to evaluate the influence of quality of transurethral resection in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer on the benefit of fluorescent cystoscopy-assisted transurethral resection in the post hoc analysis of the single-center randomized controlled trial.

Material and methods

We retrospectively analyzed the results of the prospective randomized study assessing the efficacy of fluorescent cystoscopy-assisted transurethral resection. The quality of transurethral resection was defined on the basis of a separate retrospective study estimating the variability in recurrence risk for the individual surgeon. The subgroup analysis of fluorescent cystoscopy-assisted transurethral resection efficacy depending on surgical experience was performed.

Results

Of 377 eligible patients, transurethral resection was performed in 365 (97%) by surgeons with available grading information. Two ‘experienced’ surgeons performed 238 (63%) of all transurethral resections and three ‘less experienced’ surgeons completed 127 (34%) surgeries. The two surgical groups were comparable with respect to basic prognostic factors and subsequent therapy. The median follow-up was 56 months.

In the total cohort of patients, fluorescent cystoscopy significantly decreased the risk of recurrence with hazard ratio 0.58 (p = 0.004). In the ‘experienced surgeons' subgroup the benefit of fluorescent cystoscopy was not significant (hazard ratio 0.81, p = 0.34), whereas the ‘less experienced’ subgroup showed a marked difference in favor of fluorescent cystoscopy-assisted transurethral resection (hazard ratio 0.31, p = 0.001), with a P-value for interaction of 0.021.

Conclusions

Baseline quality of surgery may be a significant interacting factor affecting the magnitude of the benefit of fluorescent cystoscopy-assisted transurethral resection in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.