TUR and Adjuvant Intravesical Chemotherapy in T1G3 Bladder Tumors: Recurrence, Progression and Survival in 137 Selected Patients Followed Up to 20 Years

Establishing the prediction models for recurrence and progression of T1G3 bladder urothelial carcinoma

We aim to determine clinical recurrence and progression risk factors of T1G3 bladder cancer (BCa), and to establish recurrence and progression prediction models. 5-year follow-up records of 106 T1G3 BCa patients from January 2012 to December 2016 were analyzed for recurrence and progression. Two-sample T-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the independent risk factors. Effective prognostic nomograms were established to provide individualized prediction, and the calibration curves were founded to evaluate the agreements of the predicted probability with the actual observed probability. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for the recurrence and progression prediction models. The stability of prediction models was validated with an external cohort included 61 T1G3 BCa patients. Of the 106 T1G3 BCa patients, 77 were males (72.6%) and 29 were females (27.4%), with median age 70 years. Within 5 years, recurrence was identified in 67 cases (63.2%), and progression was identified in 31 cases (29.2%). The results showed that large size of tumor, multifocal tumors, recrudescent tumor, non-BCG perfusion therapy were the independent risk factors for recurrence, and large size of tumor, multifocal tumors, recrudescent tumor, concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) were the independent risk factors for progression. However, no evidence shown that tumor location or operative method was independent risk factors for recurrence and progression. Based on the results of Cox regression analyses, the independent risk factors were used to establish the prediction nomograms to calculate the recurrence and progression probability of each T1G3 BCa patient. Calibration curves, ROC curves and external validation displayed that the nomograms had great value of prediction.

Predicting recurrence of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (Ta-T1): A study based on 477 patients

The aim of this study was to determine clinical recrudescent risk factors of 477 patients with newly discovered nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) (Ta-T1) in our hospital, and based on these factors, to establish a recurrence risk prediction model of each NMIBC patient.This study included 477 patients with newly discovered NMIBC (Ta-T1) from January 2012 to December 2016; all patients were treated surgically by transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). The outcomes of patients were with or without recurrence within 2 years. The nomograms were based on Cox regression analyses, and the calibration curves were founded to evaluate the agreements of the predicted probability with the actual observed probability.Of the 477 patients with NMIBC, 392 were males (82.2%) and 85 were females (17.8%), with median age 64 years. Recurrence was identified in 327 cases (68.6%). The results showed that old age, female sex, smoking history, large size of tumor, multifocal tumors, high grade, and high stage are risk factors for NMIBC recurrence, whereas no significant association was seen between tumor location and recurrence in our study. Based on the results of Cox regression analyses, several independent risk factors, including smoking history, tumor size, multifocal, immediate infusion therapy, T stage, and tumor grade, were used to establish a nomogram to calculate the recurrence probability of each NMIBC patient, and the calibration curve displayed that this nomogram had a great value of prediction.Old age, female sex, smoking history, large size of tumor, multifocal tumors, high grade, and high stage are risk factors for NMIBC recurrence, whereas immediate infusion therapy is a protective factor. And a nomogram was established as a prediction model to calculate the recurrence probability of NMIBC patients.

Postoperative complications and 90-day mortality in radical cystectomy in high-risk patients: A monocentric retrospective observational study

AIM

Assessing the incidence of immediate postoperative complications and 90-day mortality in high-risk patients who have undergone radical cystectomy; evaluating the correlation between preoperative conditions and surgery outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a monocentric retrospective observational study in which data of 65 patients have been analyzed. High-risk criteria: (a) Age ≥75 years, (b) obesity, (c) age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥8, (d) anemic status, and (e) pT ≥3. More than 50% of patients had two or more "high-risk" indicators. Postoperative complications were assessed through Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

Average age of patients was 70.4 years, average age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index was 5.8, and average body mass index was 27.5. In 28% of patients, no complications arose, while in 46% grades I-II complications according to Clavien-Dindo occurred, in 23% grades III-IV complications occurred, and in 3% of the patients, death arose in the immediate postoperative period (grade V). Overall, 90-day mortality rate after surgery was 12.3%. The age ≥75 years and an age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥8 have shown to be risk factors for the onset of severe complications (odds ratio = 3.54, p = 0.028 and odds ratio = 4.7, p = 0.026), while preoperative anemic status was a risk factor for complications in general (odds ratio = 4.1, p = 0.015). No analyzed parameter was a predictor of 90-day mortality ( p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Immediate postoperative complications and 90-day mortality in radical cystectomy in high-risk patients remain significant, but still in line with the data in the literature on comparable populations. Some of the preoperative parameters were able to predict the outcomes of the intervention with regard to the onset of complications but not to the 90-day mortality.

Hyperthermia and radiotherapy in bladder cancer

Hyperthermia represents a unique, safe, and advantageous methodology for improving therapeutic strategies in the management of bladder cancer. This modality has shown promise in contributing to treatment regimens for both superficial and muscle-invasive disease. Especially in conjunction with intravesical chemotherapy, systemic therapy, and radiotherapy, hyperthermia shows particular synergistic benefit. As such, it should be explored further through clinical use and clinical trial in conjunction with currently available techniques and emerging technologies. However, to conceptualise the way forward, it is particularly important to understand the current challenges to widespread use of non-invasive, bladder-sparing approaches and the current state of bladder cancer care. As such, in the following article, we have focused on not only the rationale for concurrent radiotherapy and hyperthermia, but also the clinical landscape in bladder cancer as a whole.

Risk Factors Predictive of Recurrence and Progression for Patients Who Suffered Initial Recurrence After Transurethral Resection of Stage pT1 Bladder Tumor in Chinese Population: A Retrospective Study

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and the stage pT1nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has a high probability of recurrence after initial diagnosis and treatment. However, risk factors predictive of repeated recurrence and progression of pT1 bladder tumors after primary relapse have not been uncovered. Thus, we conducted the retrospective study.A total of 418 patients who suffered initial recurrence after transurethral resection (TUR) of pT1 bladder tumor were selected for the analyses. Clinic information of the patients was retrieved from their medical records. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. The probability of recurrence and progression by multivariate analyses was used as a surrogate marker to construct receiver operating curve (ROC).Results showed that variables including time to prior recurrence time, prior treatment, number of tumor, tumor size, tumor grade, and time of instillation after surgery were associated with the repeated recurrence of pT1 bladder tumor (P < 0.05). The variables including time to prior recurrence time, tumor size, tumor grade, carcinoma in situ (CIS), and time of instillation after surgery were associated with progression of pT1 bladder tumor (P < 0.05). In the present study, the multivariate model showed an area under ROC (AUC) value of 0.754 and 0.798 for tumor recurrence and progression, respectively, which was more effective in prediction than a single risk factor.In conclusion, we have identified several risk factors relevant to RFS and PFS for patients who have had a history of recurrence of pT1 bladder tumor after TUR. These predictive factors may help urologists to stratify patients into distinct risk groups of recurrence and progression, which probably contributes to the individualized treatment for patients.

Celecoxib for the prevention of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: results from a matched control study

OBJECTIVES

New targets and approaches are under investigation for the treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Preclinical data suggest cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) as a promising target. Celecoxib, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, inhibits tumor development and enhances survival, both in vitro and in vivo models of bladder cancer. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study of celecoxib to prevent recurrence in patients with intermediate risk NMIBC.

METHODS

Treatment with celecoxib was administered orally for 12 months and compared with a contemporary series of patients treated with intravesical mitomycin C (MMC), given weekly for 4 weeks and then monthly for 11 months. Primary endpoints were time to first recurrence and adverse events.

RESULTS

From 2003 through 2006, 58 patients were treated with celecoxib and compared with 66 patients receiving MMC. After a median follow up of 75 months, 49 patients were disease free, including 23 (34.85%) in the MMC group and 26 (44.8%) in the celecoxib group. Median disease-free interval was 67 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 35.8 to NA] versus 41 months (95% CI 27.1-67.1; log-rank p = 0.25) for patients treated with MMC and celecoxib, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, treatment was not found to be an independent predictor for recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 0.76, 95% CI 0.47-1.22, p = 0.25). Overall, 45 AEs were recorded in 35/124 patients. There were no differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support a clinical benefit of celecoxib and encourage future trials in which COX-2 inhibitors may be tested in selected patients with NMIBC.

Ablative Intravesical Chemotherapy for Small Recurrent Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Prospective Study

Objective: The efficacy of intravesical chemotherapy in abolishing small papillary recurrences of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the disease-free interval in responders and patients' preferences were explored. Methods: When a small (≤1 cm) papillary recurrence of a NMIBC was diagnosed, the patient could choose between immediate transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) or four weekly intravesical instillations with mitomycin C (MMC) or epirubicin (ERC). Control cystoscopy was scheduled 2-3 weeks after the last instillation. Complete remission was defined as total disappearance of all papillary tumours and negative cytology. Results: 25 patients with 47 recurrence episodes were recruited from February 2003 until August 2011. The median follow-up was 35 months. After exclusion of 2 patients with intolerance to the instillations, 45 study episodes could be analysed. All patients to whom this was proposed preferred the instillations over immediate TURB. Complete, partial and no response was seen in 23 (51%), 6 (13%) and 16 (36%) out of 45 episodes, respectively. The median disease-free interval after complete remission was 16 months (95% confidence interval 9-24). Conclusions: Small papillary recurrences of NMIBC completely disappear in about half of the cases receiving four weekly bladder instillations with MMC or ERC. This is followed by a disease-free interval. Intravesical chemotherapy was preferred by all patients over immediate TURB.

Controversial issues and optimal management of stage T1G3 bladder cancer

The management of T1G3 bladder cancer is controversial. Diagnostic methods, such as bladder mapping or second-look transurethral resection are recommended to assess risk. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin intravesical therapy with a maintenance regimen is recommended for solitary T1G3 tumors. The timing of radical cystectomy for these patients is controversial, but early recurrence during intravesical therapy is an indication for radical cystectomy. Multifocal disease, concomitant carcinoma in situ and disease in the prostatic urethra and bladder neck also suggest aggressive disease and cystectomy should be considered in these patients.

Recent advances in the treatment of bladder cancer

Bladder cancer continues to provide urologists and researchers with a clinical and scientific challenge. Several urinary markers used in the detection and screening of patients with bladder cancer are currently under investigation. Improvements in intravesical therapy are proving to help decrease both tumor recurrence and progression in patients with high-risk disease. In patients with organ-confined, node-negative bladder cancer, radical cystectomy provides excellent local control and long-term disease-free survival. The use of an extended lymphadenectomy at the time of cystectomy may yield improved prognostic information as well as a potential survival benefit. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and less toxic combination chemotherapy regimens are offering potential improvements in patients with extravesical or nodal extension. The current methods of detection, as well as available therapeutic treatment options are reviewed.

Recent improvements in the detection and treatment of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer

In total, 70-80% of newly diagnosed bladder cancers are confined to the mucosa and staged as Ta, T1 or carcinoma in situ according to the 2002 tumor, lymph nodes and metastasis classification. The standard treatment for these nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancers is transurethral tumor resection with or without adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy or intravesical immunotherapy and subsequent follow-up. Diagnosis and follow-up of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer offers two main problems. First, approximately 10-20% of all tumors are not seen in standard cystoscopy. Additionally, frequently repeated follow-up cystoscopies are bothersome for the patient. As an adjunct to standard cystoscopy, fluorescence-guided cystoscopy has demonstrated significantly higher tumor detection rates and optimized patient treatment in recent Phase III studies. Second, routinely performed urine cytology is characterized by high specificity but low sensitivity. Today, several urine tests are available that may increase diagnostic accuracy and potentially prolong intervals of follow-up cystocopy. Owing to rather high recurrence rates after transurethral tumor resection in most tumors and high progression rates in poorly differentiated tumors, adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy or intravesical immunotherapy has gained widespread use in patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer. Only a few further immunomodulatory drugs, such as recombinant cytokines, have shown significant clinical effectiveness. Additional approaches, such as photodynamic therapy with different photosensitizers and thermotherapy in combination with intravesical chemotherapy, have been evaluated in Phase III studies.

Early Versus Deferred Cystectomy for Initial High-Risk pT1G3 Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder: Do Risk Factors Define Feasibility of Bladder-Sparing Approach?

OBJECTIVES

We compared long-term outcome in patients with initial pT1G3 bladder cancer (BC) treated with early versus deferred cystectomy (CX) for recurrent pT1G3 or muscle-invasive BC after an initial bladder-sparing approach. The aim of this study was to compare survival rates and to analyse the influence of the recognised risk factors multifocality, tumour size, and carcinoma in situ (CIS) in initial transurethral resection of the bladder.

METHODS

Between 1995 and 2005, a total of 105 patients were diagnosed with initial pT1G3 BC featuring>or=2 risk factors. Forty-five percent had multiple tumours, 73% tumours>3 cm in size, and 46% CIS. All patients were offered early CX. Fifty-one percent of patients opted for early and 49% underwent deferred CX for recurring BC. Risk factors were distributed evenly between the groups.

RESULTS

Upstaging in the CX specimen was found in 30% of cases. No risk factor was related to upstaging. The 10-yr cancer-specific survival rate was 78% in early CX and 51% in deferred CX (p<0.01). No risk factor predicted cancer-related death in early CX. In survival analysis, CIS was related to a lower cancer-specific survival rate in deferred CX (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early as opposed to deferred CX seems to prolong the cancer-specific survival rate in high-risk pT1G3 BC. Patients with CIS should be considered for early CX owing to reduced cancer-specific survival in case of deferred CX.

Intravesical mitomycin C for superficial transitional cell carcinoma

Intravesical instillation of mitomycin C after a transurethral resection of a bladder tumor constitutes a standard treatment modality in the management of superficial transitional cell carcinoma in the urinary bladder. An immediate instillation of mitomycin C after transurethral resection has been shown to reduce the recurrence rate of superficial transitional cell carcinoma. Intravesical mitomycin C is generally considered to be a safe treatment option, but the past few years have seen the publication of a number of case reports on severe complications following mitomycin C instillation. This article reports on the mode of action, as well as the intravesical effects and current indications for mitomycin C instillation. This review will summarize the oncological benefits of mitomycin C in comparison with other intravesical treatments, such as bacillus Calmette-Guérin, and elucidate the incidence and types of possible complications associated with intravesical mitomycin C chemotherapy.

[Management of T1G3 tumours of the bladder]

T1G3 tumours are the most aggressive superficial tumours of the bladder, with a high risk of recurrence and progression. Complete endoscopic resection of the tumour is the first diagnostic and therapeutic step in T1G3 management. A second resection should be done at 1 month to avoid residual tumour and misdiagnosis of a muscle infiltrative cancer. As a result of treatment by instillations of Calmette and Guérin bacillus following endoscopic resection, a 5-year survival rate of 80% has been reported, with 50 to 60% of bladder preservation. BCG is the only conservative treatment that has proven effectiveness on both tumour recurrence and progression. Long term protocols seem to give the best results. Endovesical chemotherapy is not commonly used as its impact on progression has not been demonstrated. Radical cystectomy can be chosen as first line treatment in patients with particularly aggressive tumours. Long term and close surveillance should be achieved in every patient.

Predicting recurrence and progression in individual patients with stage Ta T1 bladder cancer using EORTC risk tables: a combined analysis of 2596 patients from seven EORTC trials

OBJECTIVES

To provide tables that allow urologists to easily calculate a superficial bladder cancer patient's short- and long-term risks of recurrence and progression after transurethral resection.

METHODS

A combined analysis was carried out of individual patient data from 2596 superficial bladder cancer patients included in seven European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer trials.

RESULTS

A simple scoring system was derived based on six clinical and pathological factors: number of tumors, tumor size, prior recurrence rate, T category, carcinoma in situ, and grade. The probabilities of recurrence and progression at one year ranged from 15% to 61% and from less than 1% to 17%, respectively. At five years, the probabilities of recurrence and progression ranged from 31% to 78% and from less than 1% to 45%.

CONCLUSIONS

With these probabilities, the urologist can discuss the different options with the patient to determine the most appropriate treatment and frequency of follow-up.

Bladder cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews the recent literature concerning important issues in the management of patients with bladder cancer. A brief overview of all aspects of bladder cancer including the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed with a focus on recent advances.

RECENT FINDINGS

Bladder cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The treatment for bladder cancer should be based on individual patient risk assessment and should include a multidisciplinary approach. In patients with superficial bladder cancer, research has focused on improving and optimizing intravesical therapy to reduce tumor recurrence and progression as well as on methods to better select the most appropriate treatment for patients with high-risk features. The important prognostic and therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy during radical cystectomy has become apparent and recent work has attempted to better define what should be considered the standard for lymph node dissection. Finally, in an attempt to improve survival, advances have been made using systemic chemotherapy in both the perioperative settings as well as for treatment of metastatic bladder cancer.

SUMMARY

Research continues to improve our understanding of bladder cancer. This ongoing investigation is currently being translated to the bedside with refinements in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with bladder cancer.

Superficial Bladder Cancer Therapy: A Review

Most bladder cancers present as a superficial disease, confined to the bladder mucosa or submucosal layer, without muscle invasion. Most superficial tumors have a propensity for recurrence after transurethral resection; some have a high risk for progression to muscle invasion. The treatment aim in superficial bladder cancer with intravesical therapy is three-fold: (1) eradicate existing disease, (2) prevention of recurrence, (3) prevention of tumor progression. The prognostic factors (tumor stage, grade, size, number and recurrence pattern) allow the stratification of tumors in different risk groups to plan treatment. Studies on pharmacokinetics have proved the efficacy of optimized drug delivery. Comparing resection with and without intravesical chemotherapy, a short-term reduction, approximately 15%, in tumor recurrence with chemotherapy can be obtained, but no effect on progression was proven. No agent has proved to be more effective than the others. A single instillation of chemotherapy immediately after transurethral resection has proven to be effective, but the role of maintenance therapy is controversial. Immunotherapy, in the form of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, is generally shown to be more effective than chemotherapy, even if the results in comparison to mitomycin C do not result conclusive. Several new approaches are being explored to improve the efficacy of this therapy.

Optimal Management of the T1G3 Bladder Cancer

TIG3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder represents a highly malignant tumor with a variable and unpredictable biologic potential. The most critical aspect of management requires a detailed discussion with the patient regarding the treatment options. Both the physician and the patient should be willing to reconsider the treatment options as the disease continues to evolve. In most cases initial management involves complete resection of the tumor, accurate staging of the disease, and intravesical immunotherapy or chemotherapy. Rigorous surveillance with long-term follow-up is crucial for managing these cases. In selected cases with adverse prognostic factors immediate cystectomy should be considered. The choice and timing of the decision to abandon bladder preservation and proceed with cystectomy should be continuously reconsidered on an individual patient basis, in concordance with the evolution of the disease (Fig. 1). The goal is to spare the bladder when possible but not at the risk of death from metastatic disease. Radical cystectomy in high-grade stage T1 transitional cell carcinoma offers excellent results in regard to the prevention of recurrence and progression and survival. Improvements in urinary diversion and nerve-sparing techniques have decreased the magnitude of social implications related to cystectomy in most patients regardless of gender. The discovery of reliable markers may contribute to better selection of patients for bladder sparing. Until then, the optimal treatment for the T1G3 tumor remains controversial.