Intravesical Instillations with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for the Treatment of Carcinoma In Situ Involving Prostatic Ducts

A brief review on the diagnostic and therapeutic principles of primary urethral cancer

Objective

Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a rare malignant carcinoma but with limited therapeutic options. This review aims to provide an overview of the current strategies on this patient settings.

Methods

Recent literature ranging from January 1987 and December 2021 was assessed through PubMed search to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic principles of PUC.

Results

A complete of examination including cystoscopy, imaging, and biopsy should be conducted for these patients. Once diagnosed, the clinical decision of PUC should be made according to the tumor location, pathological pattern, and extent of the tumor. For patients with superficial and distal urethral lesions, organ sparing approaches or radical reconstructive procedures can be utilized. While for more advanced disease or nodal involvement, an optimal multimodal treatment strategy consisted of surgery and radiochemotherapy should be adopted. For patients with urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, the management including transurethral resection of the prostate followed by bacille Calmette-Guerin or radical cystoprostatectomy should depend on the infiltration depth of PUC.

Conclusion

A complete of examination is important for the diagnosis of PUC. The management of PUC should be determined by the location, pathological pattern, and extent of the tumor. More multi-institutional collaborations should be held to investigate better treatment modalities for PUC.

Utility of D2-40, Cytokeratin 5/6, and High-Molecular-weight Cytokeratin (Clone 34βE12) in Distinguishing Intraductal Spread of Urothelial Carcinoma From Prostatic Stromal Invasion

Intraductal spread of urothelial carcinoma (UC) is not an uncommon finding in bladder cancer that requires appropriate clinical management. The presence of prostatic stromal invasion in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer upstages the disease, necessitating cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent cystroprostatectomy. However, the identification of prostatic stromal invasion can be challenging, especially in biopsy and transurethral resection specimens. We assess the utility of D2-40, CK5/6, and high-molecular-weight cytokeratin (HMWCK) immunohistochemistry as an ancillary tool to differentiate prostatic stromal invasion from intraductal UC spread. We reviewed 13 cystoprostatectomies performed for UC with prostatic involvement. The presence of stromal invasion was histologically determined by the presence of circumferential retraction artifact, paradoxical differentiation, complex architecture, and desmoplastic reaction. The areas of interest were subsequently stained with D2-40, CK5/6, and HMWCK (clone 34βE12). Four bladder biopsies were used as a control to assess labeling in the benign urothelium. Nine cases had histologic evidence of prostatic stromal invasion (4 transmurally through bladder wall). D2-40 highlighted basal cells in all benign prostatic ducts and was consistently negative in UC, benign urothelium, prostatic adenocarcinoma, and benign luminal prostatic epithelium. D2-40 and CK5/6 performed similarly for intraductal UC, labeling only the basal cell layer with the exception of 1 case with squamous differentiation where CK5/6 exhibited full thickness staining. HMWCK diffusely stained 9 of 10 intraductal UCs without squamous differentiation and 1 intraductal UC with squamous differentiation. All 8 cases of invasive UC without squamous differentiation were negative for D2-40. Seven of these cases had focal CK5/6 and diffuse HMWCK staining. In 1 case of invasive UC with squamous differentiation, all stains were positive. D2-40 is expressed in prostatic basal cells, but it is not expressed in the benign or neoplastic urothelium. D2-40 and CK5/6 effectively highlight the intraductal spread of UC. While invasive UC is negative for D2-40, CK5/6 is usually patchy and localized to the periphery of the tumor nests. HMWCK often demonstrates diffuse staining in both scenarios. However, these stains do not perform well in cases of UC with squamous differentiation. Thus, D2-40 can be used as an ancillary tool to rule out prostatic stromal invasion.

Current Perspectives on the Diagnosis and Management of Primary Urethral Cancer: A Systematic Review

Primary urethral cancer (PUC) is a rare but highly aggressive malignancy that causes malignant urethral obstruction. We conducted a literature review using PubMed to identify original research studies that assessed the diagnosis and management of primary urethral cancer. PUC affects men more than women, is more common in African Americans than Caucasians, and is associated with history of chronic inflammation and irritation of the urinary tract. Patients suspected of PUC should undergo a complete work-up including cystoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, and biopsy. In men and women, surgical monotherapy ranging from organ-sparing to more radical reconstructive procedures has adequate survival rates for early stage PUC and has been shown to be similarly as effective as radiation monotherapy, while multimodal therapy has become the standard of treatment for advanced stage PUC. Salvage surgery or radiation therapy has been linked with increased survival rates. Nodal involvement at the time of diagnosis is a negative prognosticator and should be treated with multimodal therapy. Further prospective studies with greater sample sizes and standardized clinical trials would allow for greater consistency in evaluating the different treatment modalities for PUC.

Systematic Review of the Role of BCG in the Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma of the Prostatic Urethra

BACKGROUND: In patients with non-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the prostatic urethra (PUC), treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) could be beneficial. OBJECTIVE: To assess the response rates to BCG in the different tumor stages, to describe the clinical impact of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) before BCG treatment, and to review the side effects of BCG treatment for PUC. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed database to identify original studies between 1977 and 2019 reporting on PUC and BCG. RESULTS: Of a total of 865 studies, ten were considered for evidence synthesis. An indication for BCG treatment was found in non-stromal invasive stages (Tis pu, Tis pd) and in stromal infiltrating cases (T1) of primary and secondary PUC when transitional cell carcinoma was the histology of origin. Studies including patients treated with TURP before BCG showed a better local response in the prostatic urethra with a higher disease free survival (DFS) (80–100% vs. 63–89%) and progression free survival (PFS) (90–100% vs. 75–94%) than patients in studies in which no TURP was performed. However, this difference in recurrence and progression in the prostate neither affected the total PFS (57–75% vs. 58–93%), nor the disease specific survival (70–100% vs. 66–100%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of resection loop biopsies of the prostatic urethra in appropriate cases during the primary work-up for suspected PUC, as well as the use of the current TNM classification for PUC, need to be improved. BCG therapy for non-stromal invasive stages of PUC show a good local response. Local response is further improved by a TURP before BCG therapy, although the overall prognosis does not seem to be affected. Further evidence for BCG treatment in the rare cases of stromal invasive PUC is needed. Specific side effects of BCG treatment for PUC are not reported.

Revisiting an Old Conundrum: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intravesical Therapy for Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma of the Prostate

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of non-invasive (mucosal and/or ductal) urothelial carcinoma of the prostate remains elusive and there is a paucity of data to guide treatment.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to systematically review and synthesize treatment responses to conservative management of non-invasive prostatic urothelial carcinoma using intravesical therapy.

METHODS

A systematic literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases from inception to November 2019 was performed. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for non-randomised studies. Pooled estimates of complete response in the bladder and prostate and prostate only were performed using a random effects model. Pre-specified subgroup analyses were generated to assess differences in complete responses for: BCG therapy vs other agents, ductal vs mucosal involvement, CIS vs papillary tumors and TURP vs no TURP.

RESULTS

Nine studies including 175 patients were identified for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. All were retrospective case series and most evaluated response to BCG therapy. The pooled global complete response rate for intravesical therapy was 60%(95%CI: 0.48, 0.72), and for prostate 88%(95%CI: 0.81, 0.96). Pre-specified analyses did not demonstrate statistically significant differences between subgroups of interest.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of non-invasive prostatic urothelial carcinoma using intravesical therapy yields satisfactory results. Caution should be taken in treating patients with papillary tumors and ductal involvement, as data for these populations is limited. TURP may not improve efficacy, but is required for staging. Current recommendations are based on low quality evidence, and further research is warranted.

European Association of Urology Guidelines on Primary Urethral Carcinoma-2020 Update

CONTEXT

Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a rare cancer accounting for <1% of all genitourinary malignancies.

OBJECTIVE

To provide updated practical recommendations for the diagnosis and management of PUC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic search interrogating Ovid (Medline), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was performed.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Urothelial carcinoma of the urethra is the predominant histological type of PUC (54-65%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (16-22%) and adenocarcinoma (10-16%). Diagnosis of PUC depends on urethrocystoscopy with biopsy and urinary cytology. Pathological staging and grading are based on the tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) classification and the 2016 World Health Organization grading systems. Local tumour extent and regional lymph nodes are assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, and the presence of distant metastases is assessed by computed tomography of the thorax/abdomen and pelvis. For all patients with localised distal tumours (≤T2N0M0), partial urethrectomy or urethra-sparing surgery is a valid treatment option, provided that negative intraoperative surgical margins can be achieved. Prostatic Ta-Tis-T1 PUC can be treated with repeat transurethral resection of the prostate and bacillus Calmette-Guérin. In prostatic or proximal ≥ T2N0 disease, neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy should be considered prior to radical surgery. All patients with locally advanced disease (≥T3N0-2M0) should be discussed within a multidisciplinary team. In men with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma, curative radiotherapy combined with radiosensitising chemotherapy can be offered for definitive treatment and genital preservation. In patients with local urethral recurrence, salvage surgery or radiotherapy can be offered. For patients with distant metastatic disease, systemic therapy based on tumour characteristics can be evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

These updated European Association of Urology guidelines provide up-to-date guidance for the contemporary diagnosis and management of patients with suspected PUC.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Primary urethral carcinoma (PUC) is a very rare, but aggressive disease. These updated European Association of Urology guidelines provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians treating patients with PUC.

Advanced primary urethral cancer: a case report

Background

Primary urethral cancer is exceedingly rare, resulting in a limitation in clinicians’ experience, and an accurate diagnosis is often delayed due to the non-specific clinical presentation. Here, we present this case report to show the treatment of a patient with primary urethral cancer. Our patient was diagnosed as having primary urethral cancer in the First Clinical Hospital of Yichang by cystoscopy and biopsy. Due to her age, poor physical tolerance, and economic condition, she refused radical operation. Since there is no definite guideline for the treatment process of primary urethral cancer in clinics, operation methods and postoperative adjuvant treatments vary in different hospitals, leading to diverse prognostic effects.

Case presentation

An 88-year-old Asian woman had difficulty in urinating for more than 6 months and the syndrome was aggravated for 1 month. She chose a relatively conservative treatment plan: primary tumor resection combined with bladder perfusion chemotherapy. Postoperative pathology revealed “urethra” high-grade urothelial carcinoma (sarcoma-like variants) with extensive necrosis. After treatment with intravesical chemotherapeutic drug (hydroxycamptothecin 40 mg), she was eventually released from our hospital in a stable condition. Postoperation follow-up was performed to observe to what extent this conservative treatment plan improved the quality of life and overall survival time of our patient.

Conclusions

She needed radical resection according to the actual situation. However, her age restricted her tolerance to general anesthesia; relatively conservative treatment options are available to ensure a high quality of life. The treatment of primary tumor resection combined with bladder perfusion chemotherapy is feasible. This case highlights the importance of the dissemination of new cases and optimizing primary urethral cancer diagnosis to obtain an effective treatment.

European Association of Urology Guidelines on Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (TaT1 and Carcinoma In Situ) - 2019 Update

CONTEXT

This overview presents the updated European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), TaT1, and carcinoma in situ (CIS).

OBJECTIVE

To provide practical recommendations on the clinical management of NMIBC with a focus on clinical presentation and recommendations.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A broad and comprehensive scoping exercise covering all areas of the NMIBC guidelines has been performed annually since the last published version in 2017. Databases covered by the search included Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Libraries. Previous guidelines were updated, and the level of evidence and grade of recommendation were assigned.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Tumours staged as Ta, T1, and/or CIS are grouped under the heading of NMIBC. Diagnosis depends on cystoscopy and histological evaluation of the tissue obtained by transurethral resection (TURB) in papillary tumours or by multiple bladder biopsies in CIS. In papillary lesions, a complete TURB is essential for the patient's prognosis and correct diagnosis. Where the initial resection is incomplete, where there is no muscle in the specimen, or where a T1 tumour is detected, a second TURB should be performed within 2-6 wk. The risks of both recurrence and progression may be estimated for individual patients using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) scoring system. Stratification of patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups is pivotal to the recommendation of adjuvant treatment. In patients with tumours presumed to be at a low risk and in those presumed to be at an intermediate risk with a low previous recurrence rate and an expected EORTC recurrence score of <5, one immediate chemotherapy instillation is recommended. Patients with intermediate-risk tumours should receive 1 yr of full-dose bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intravesical immunotherapy or instillations of chemotherapy for a maximum of 1 yr. In patients with high-risk tumours, full-dose intravesical BCG for 1-3 yr is indicated. In patients at the highest risk of tumour progression, immediate radical cystectomy should be considered. Cystectomy is recommended in BCG-unresponsive tumours. The extended version of the guidelines is available at the EAU website: https://uroweb.org/guideline/non-muscle-invasive-bladder-cancer/.

CONCLUSIONS

These abridged EAU guidelines present updated information on the diagnosis and treatment of NMIBC for incorporation into clinical practice.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The European Association of Urology Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Panel has released an updated version of their guidelines, which contains information on classification, risk factors, diagnosis, prognostic factors, and treatment of NMIBC. The recommendations are based on the current literature (until the end of 2018), with emphasis on high-level data from randomised clinical trials and meta-analyses. Stratification of patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups is essential for deciding appropriate use of adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy or bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillations. Surgical removal of the bladder should be considered in case of BCG-unresponsive tumours or in NMIBCs with the highest risk of progression.

Carcinoma In Situ of the Urinary Bladder: A Systematic Review of Current Knowledge Regarding Detection, Treatment, and Outcomes

CONTEXT

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder is defined as a high-grade flat lesion confined to the mucosa. Intravesical treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is commonly used to reduce the risk of recurrence and progression; however, CIS of the bladder exhibits a heterogeneous clinical behavior and a significant proportion of patients do not show a primary response.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the available evidence concerning diagnosis, treatment strategies, follow-up, prognosis, and oncological outcomes in patients with CIS of the bladder.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search was conducted using the databases PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase. We included randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies. Outcomes of interest were: (1) diagnostic strategies, (2) first- and second-line treatments, (3) follow-up strategies, and (4) prognosis and oncological outcomes.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Overall 62 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most articles concerned retrospective studies and presented mixed data with other non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer categories. The evidence shows that new optical imaging modalities significantly increase the detection rate of CIS. BCG immunotherapy remains the first-line therapy in patients with CIS of the bladder; however, after treatment, adequate follow-up is necessary. Clinicopathological factors remain the main indicators of response to BCG, recurrence, and progression.

CONCLUSIONS

New optical imaging modalities are superior to white light cystoscopy in the detection of CIS of the bladder. There are no robust data that justify consideration of other agents as an alternative to BCG immunotherapy. Despite efforts to identify relevant biomarkers, clinicopathological factors remain the most important prognostic factors.

PATIENT SUMMARY

New optical techniques have improved the detection of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder. Bladder preservation using bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy remains the cornerstone of the treatment of CIS of the bladder.

Primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate: A rare case report

RATIONALE

Prostatic urothelial carcinoma is a rare disease. Medical misdiagnosis rates remain high because there are no specific clinical symptoms or imaging features, which decreases patient survival. We report a case of prostatic urethral cancer confirmed by transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy because of an abnormal digital rectal exam.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 55-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to lower urinary tract symptoms that lasted for 5 years.

DIAGNOSES AND INTERVENTIONS

On digital rectal examination, a hard and enlarged prostate was detected. Computed tomography, bone scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging indicated benign prostatic hyperplasia. The patient underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. From the histopathological examination and immunohistochemical markers, a diagnosis of high-grade prostatic urothelial carcinoma was made. We excluded the possibility of urothelial cancer originating in the bladder lining after transurethral resection of the bladder. Radical cystoprostatectomy was performed, followed by 6 cycles of cisplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy. Postoperative pathology showed primary urothelial carcinoma of the prostate.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered smoothly after surgery. After a 6-month follow-up, no evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease was found.

LESSONS

This case reminds clinicians that, for middle-aged men with suspicious digital rectal examinations, a diagnosis of prostatic urothelial carcinoma should be considered. Initial radical surgery followed by combination chemotherapy is suggested for therapeutic management.

ICUD-SIU International Consultation on Bladder Cancer 2017: management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

PURPOSE

To provide a summary of the Third International Consultation on Bladder Cancer recommendations for the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

METHODS

A detailed review of the literature was performed focusing on original articles for the management of NMIBC. An international committee assessed and graded the articles based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine system. The entire spectrum of NMIBC was covered such as prognostic factors of recurrence and progression, risk stratification, staging, management of positive urine cytology with negative white light cystoscopy, indications of bladder and prostatic urethral biopsies, management of Ta low grade (LG) and high risk tumors (Ta high grade [HG], T1, carcinoma in situ [CIS]), impact of BCG strain and host on outcomes, management of complications of intravesical therapy, role of alternative therapies, indications for early cystectomy, surveillance strategies, and new treatments. The working group provides several recommendations on the management of NMIBC.

RESULTS

Recommendations were summarized with regard to staging; management of primary and recurrent LG Ta and high risk disease, positive urine cytology with negative white light cystoscopy and prostatic urethral involvement; indications for timely cystectomy; and surveillance strategies.

CONCLUSION

NMIBC remains a common and challenging malignancy to manage. Accurate staging, grading, and risk stratification are critical determinants of the management and outcomes of these patients. Current tools for risk stratification are limited but informative, and should be used in clinical practice when determining diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of NMIBC.

Recommendations for the improvement of bladder cancer quality of care in Canada: A consensus document reviewed and endorsed by Bladder Cancer Canada (BCC), Canadian Urologic Oncology Group (CUOG), and Canadian Urological Association (CUA), December 2015

This initiative was undertaken in response to concerns regarding the variation in management and in outcomes of patients with bladder cancer throughout centres and geographical areas in Canada. Population-based data have also revealed that real-life survival is lower than expected based on data from clinical trials and/or academic centres. To address these perceived shortcomings and attempt to streamline and unify treatment approaches to bladder cancer in Canada, a multidisciplinary panel of expert clinicians was convened last fall for a two-day working group consensus meeting. The panelists included urologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, patient representatives, a genitourinary pathologist, and an enterostomal therapy nurse. The following recommendations and summaries of supporting evidence represent the results of the presentations, debates, and discussions. Methodology

Second transurethral resection and prognosis of high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in patients not receiving bacillus Calmette-Guérin

OBJECTIVE

To define the natural history of T1G3 bladder tumor not receiving intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and assess the diagnostic and therapeutic value of a second transurethral resection (Re-TUR) in these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study on the natural history of 210 patients treated at two institutions for T1G3 bladder carcinoma without associated CIS. In no case was BCG administered; 79 (37.6%) received TUR alone, and 131 (62.4%) Re-TUR 4 to 6 weeks later; 23 (12.4%) underwent cystectomy for tumor progression.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 55 (78 IQR) months, male/female ratio 8/1, and mean age 70.6+11.8 (range 37-93). 19.5% were free of recurrence at 10 years, and 61.9% free of progression. Independent prognostic factors for progression were solid pattern (HR: 2.71; P=.0004), multiplicity (HR: 2.26; P=.003), and recurrence at 3 months (HR: 3.4; P=.003). Cancer-specific survival was 81.5% at 5 and 69% at 10 years. Independent predictors of survival were: progression during the first year (HR: 17.9; P<.0001), solid pattern (HR: 2.13; P=.02), multiplicity (HR: 2.05; P=.03), and age>65 years (HR: 2.9; P=.03). Re-TUR avoided under-staging (7.4%), detected T1G3 residual disease (10.7%), reduced recurrence rate at 3 months (11.4 to 4.6%; P=.06), and rate of progression on the 1st year (13.9 to 3.8%; P=.0075). However, in these patients the risk remains and no differences were detected in the long term in terms of recurrence (log-rank, P=.14), progression (P=.91), or cancer death (P=.21) in patients treated with Re-TUR.

CONCLUSION

The recurrence in the first 3 months of a T1G3 tumor not receiving BCG is the main risk factor for progression, and progression of this type of tumors within the first year is the main factor of cancer death. The Re-TUR improves both variables but it does not change the long-term prognosis.

EAU guidelines on primary urethral carcinoma

CONTEXT

The European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines Group on Muscle-Invasive and Metastatic Bladder Cancer prepared these guidelines to deliver current evidence-based information on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with primary urethral carcinoma (UC).

OBJECTIVE

To review the current literature on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with primary UC and assess its level of scientific evidence.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies reporting urethral malignancies. Medline was searched using the controlled vocabulary of the Medical Subject Headings database, along with a free-text protocol.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Primary UC is considered a rare cancer, accounting for <1% of all malignancies. Risk factors for survival include age, tumour stage and grade, nodal stage, presence of distant metastasis, histologic type, tumour size, tumour location, and modality of treatment. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred method to assess the local extent of urethral tumour; computed tomography of the thorax and abdomen should be used to assess distant metastasis. In localised anterior UC, urethra-sparing surgery is an alternative to primary urethrectomy in both sexes, provided negative surgical margins can be achieved. Patients with locally advanced UC should be discussed by a multidisciplinary team of urologists, radiation oncologists, and oncologists. Patients with noninvasive UC or carcinoma in situ of the prostatic urethra and prostatic ducts can be treated with a urethra-sparing approach with transurethral resection and bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Cystoprostatectomy with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy should be reserved for patients not responding to BCG or as a primary treatment option in patients with extensive ductal or stromal involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2013 guidelines document on primary UC is the first publication on this topic by the EAU. It aims to increase awareness in the urologic community and provide scientific transparency to improve outcomes of this rare urogenital malignancy.

The conundrum of prostatic urethral involvement

The presence and depth of urothelial cancer involvement in the prostatic urethra can significantly affect the management of a patient with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. This article presents an overview of the incidence, diagnosis, management, and follow-up of urothelial cancer.

[Prostatic involvement by urothelial carcinoma in patients with bladder cancer and their implications in the clinical practice]

OBJECTIVES

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a multifocal disease that may develop in any location of the urinary tract, including the prostate. We analyze the types of prostate involvement due to UC, their diagnosis, risk factors and the clinical implications of this entity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of original, review articles and publications related to prostate involvement due to UC. The study included works published in the period of 1985-2011, most of which were obtained from the search in PubMed.

RESULTS

Prostate involvement due to UC has been observed frequently in both non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) series and prolonged follow-up (39%) as in radical cystectomy series (15-48%). Prostatic involvement may occur in the mucosa and ducts (superficial involvement) or prostate stroma (invasive involvement), a fact that has prognostic and therapeutic implications. Stromal involvement may have both a bladder and intraurethral origin. Carcinoma in situ, multifocality, bladder neck/trigone cancer, and previous history of tumor recurrence are the factors that have been m ore consistently associated to prostate involvement due to UC. The incidence of prostatic involvement by UC in patients with NMIBC increases over time when risk factors exist. In these cases, a prostatic urethral biopsy should be performed during the follow-up. Conservative treatment with transurethral resection and BCG is possible in case of superficial involvement of the prostatic urethra, assuming its risk of progression. Patients subjects to cystectomy and with prostate involvement due to UC have a greater risk of urethral recurrence. The elevated incidence of prostatic adenocarcinoma and prostatic involvement by UC in cystectomy specimens makes it necessary to be very selective when indicating prostate-sparing cystectomy. Chemotherapy may be an option in an attempt to improve survival of patients with prostatic stromal involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostatic involvement by UC is not uncommon and it has important implications in the management of patients with NMIBC and in those who have an indication for or have undergone radical cystectomy.

Dilemmas in the treatment of urothelial cancers of the prostate

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this paper is to examine the contemporary incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of prostatic urothelial carcinoma and make recommendations on the current dilemmas of treating urothelial cancer of the prostate.

METHODS

A review of English-language literature from 1990 to the present was performed utilizing the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Pub Med database. Keywords used were urothelial cell carcinoma, prostatic urethral involvement, prostatic duct/acini involvement, carcinoma in situ. Bibliographies of reviewed articles were also searched.

RESULTS

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with involvement of the prostate has been reported in multiple studies with an incidence between 12% and 48%. Stromal invasion of the prostate has a reported incidence between 7% and 17%. The incidence of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate has been estimated at 1% to 4% of prostatic malignancies. Degree and depth of prostatic invasion has prognostic significance with 5-year survival rates being 100% for those with urethral mucosal involvement, 50% with ductal/acinar involvement, and 40% with prostatic stromal invasion. The actual anatomic path that urothelial carcinoma invasion occurs also has prognostic significance. Those with contiguous malignant involvement had a 7% 5-year survival rate compared with those with noncontiguous involvement and a 46% 5-year survival rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostatic urothelial carcinoma is often under appreciated and not well understood. Malignant involvement of different anatomic locations of the prostate (i.e., mucosa, ducts, acini, and stroma) influence not only diagnosis but treatment of disease. Although debate exists regarding optimal therapy for mucosal involvement, if the prostatic stroma is involved, radical cystoprostatectomy is the treatment of choice.