Developing Selection Criteria for Prostate-sparing Cystectomy: A Review of Cystoprostatectomy Specimens

The Rate of Prostatic Involvement in Men Treated With Radical Cystectomy for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE

Radical cystoprostatectomy (RC) is one standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in male patients. Another therapeutic option is trimodal therapy. Including the prostate in the trimodal therapy radiation therapy volume is based on MIBC surgical series showing prostatic stromal (PS) involvement. Our aim was to establish the rate of pathologic PS involvement by preoperative T stage in men treated with RC for MIBC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We conducted a retrospective review of men with MIBC treated with RC between 2006 and 2019. Electronic medical records were reviewed, and preoperative clinical staging data were collected. χ² test was done to test for a statistically significant difference in the rate of prostatic involvement between clinical tumor (cT) stages. Preoperatively identified carcinoma in situ, lymph node involvement, tumor location, and urethral involvement were also analyzed to see if they conferred a higher risk of PS involvement. Multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression was performed.

RESULTS

We identified 283 men with bladder cancer treated with RC. Patients with non-MIBC or incomplete medical data were excluded (n = 72). We analyzed 211 patients, and 46 (22%) had pathologic PS involvement. PS involvement by preoperative T stage was cT2 = 18%, cT3 = 23%, and cT4 = 48%. Twenty-nine (12%) patients had clinical lymph node involvement, of whom 19 (76%) had PS involvement. Thirty-four (16%) had urethral involvement, of whom 17 (50%) had PS involvement. Sixteen percent and 17% of percent of clinical T2 and T3 patients had bladder neck/trigone tumors, of whom 57% and 50% had prostatic involvement. Clinical T2 and T3 were not statistically different with regards to PS involvement (P = .385). Preoperative urethral involvement, lymph node involvement, cT4, and bladder neck/trigone location were statistically significant predictors of pathologic PS involvement (all P < .05). On multivariate analysis, only clinical urethral involvement was significant (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The high rate of pathologic PS involvement seen in cT2 patients and the lack of ability of cT stage to predict PS involvement support routinely treating the prostate in trimodal therapy. Patients with preoperatively identified bladder neck/trigone tumors, urethral involvement, positive lymph nodes, or prostatic involvement are a subset at even higher risk of having pathologic PS involvement.

Recommendations for planning and delivery of radical radiotherapy for localized urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE

Curative radio-chemotherapy is recognized as a standard treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Nevertheless, the technical aspects for MIBC radiotherapy are heterogeneous with a lack of practical recommendations.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In 2018, a workshop identified the need for two cooperative groups to develop consistent, evidence-based guidelines for irradiation technique in the delivery of curative radiotherapy. Two radiation oncologists performed a review of the literature addressing several topics relative to radical bladder radiotherapy: planning computed tomography acquisition, target volume delineation, radiation schedules (total dose and fractionation) and dose delivery (including radiotherapy techniques, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and adaptive treatment modalities). Searches for original and review articles in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases were conducted from January 1990 until March 2020. During a meeting conducted in October 2020, results on 32 topics were presented and discussed with a working group involving 15 radiation oncologists, 3 urologists and one medical oncologist. We applied the American Urological Association guideline development's method to define a consensus strategy.

RESULTS

A consensus was obtained for all 34 except 4 items. The group did not obtain an agreement on CT enhancement added value for planning, PTV margins definition for empty bladder and full bladder protocols, and for pelvic lymph-nodes irradiation. High quality evidence was shown in 6 items; 8 items were considered as low quality of evidence.

CONCLUSION

The current recommendations propose a homogenized modality of treatment both for routine clinical practice and for future clinical trials, following the best evidence to date, analyzed with a robust methodology. The XXX group formulates practical guidelines for the implementation of innovative techniques such as adaptive radiotherapy.

Prospective evaluation of definitive chemoradiotherapy with volumetric modulated arc therapy in patients with muscle invasive carcinoma of urinary bladder

Introduction

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) remains one of the treatment options in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) unwilling/unsuitable for radical surgery. We evaluated the role of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in MIBC patients treated with definitive CTRT.

Material and methods

25 patients of histologically proven transitional cell MIBC (T2–T4a, N0, M0) unwilling/unsuitable for radical surgery (after maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumour) were recruited in this prospective study. Primary clinical target volume (CTV) consisted of the gross tumour and whole bladder. Primary planning target volume (PTV) and nodal PTV were prescribed 60 Gy and 54 Gy (both in 30 fractions). Concurrent chemotherapy was cisplatin (40 mg/m²) weekly. Acute toxicities were assessed as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. Survival estimates were done from the date of registration using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Median age was 70 years (37–80 years). Median overall treatment time was 45 days (44–51). Median number of chemotherapy cycles was 5 (range 3–6). 5 (20%) and 4 (16%) patients respectively suffered from acute grade ≥ 2 gastrointestinal and grade ≥ 2 genitourinary toxicities during treatment. One patient each had grade 3 anaemia and neutropenia. At a median follow-up of 34 months (10–45 months), 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 65.6% and 81.2% respectively. 3-year distant metastasis-free survival was 90.5%. Bladder preservation rate at 3 years was 68%.

Conclusions

Definitive CTRT with VMAT is well tolerated in patients with MIBC unsuitable for surgery and yields decent survival and bladder preservation outcome.

Early Oncological and Functional Outcomes of Prostate Capsule Sparing Cystectomy Compared with Standard Radical Cystectomy

Introduction and Objectives

A comparative study of standard radical cystectomy and prostate capsule sparing radical cystectomy regarding functional and oncological outcomes.

Materials and Methods

A randomized study of 96 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (December 2014 - June 2016) was done. We excluded cases with preoperative T4 staging, lymphadenopathy, prostatic specific antigen > 4 ng/dl, and cases with positive biopsies from the bladder neck, trigone, and/or prostatic urethra. Patients were divided into 2 groups, Group 1: standard radical cystectomy with orthotopic diversion (n = 51), Group 2: prostate capsule sparing cystectomy with orthotopic diversion (n = 45). Preoperative transrectal ultrasound and prostatic biopsies were done in Group 2 to exclude prostate cancer. We compared the urinary continence and erectile function in both groups after 6 months, 1, and 2 years.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups regarding preoperative demographic data, tumor stage, grade, site by cystoscopy, and biopsy. Intraoperative monitoring showed no significant differences regarding blood loss, surgical complications, or operative time (2.5 ± 0.48 vs. 2.4 ± 0.45 h). There was a significantly higher percentage of continence and potency in Group 2 than in Group 1. Sixteen cases (35.6%) in Group 2 but only 4 cases (7.8%) in Group 1 developed large post-voiding residual urine and needed intermittent self-catheterization cleaning (p = 0.001). The tumor recurrence rate was not significantly different between the groups after 2 years (p = 0.3).

Conclusion

Prostate capsule sparing cystectomy is a good option in selected cases with better continence and potency and without compromising oncological outcomes after 2 years.

Role and Indications of Organ-Sparing "Radical" Cystectomy: The Importance of Careful Patient Selection and Counseling

Organ-sparing cystectomy remains an operation for a highly selected patient population that can offer similar oncologic outcomes but improved sexual function in men and women. Occult prostate cancer in men may occur even with screening but the majority is of clinical insignificance. Paramount to patient selection are oncologic concerns, but preoperative sexual function, age, performance status, and postoperative expectations must also be evaluated during patient selection. Improved diagnostic and surveillance tools may facilitate and improve patient selection in the future.

Prevalence and management of prostate cancer among East Asian men: Current trends and future perspectives

OBJECTIVES

Previously East Asian men had been considered less likely to develop or die of prostate cancer. Emerging research and the onset of prostate-specific antigen screening in East Asian countries suggests that this may not be the case. We sought to analyze epidemiology and molecular genetic data and recent trends in the management of prostate cancer among East Asian men.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We performed literature searches using PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to examine current literature on prostate cancer in East Asian men. Additionally, articles were searched for further references related to the topic.

RESULTS

Recent studies have reported increasing incidence of prostate cancer identified in East Asian men. Prostate cancer mortality has increased and is currently the fourth leading cause of death among men in Shanghai, China. Although prostate cancer was considered less aggressive among East Asian men, studies suggest that it is similarly aggressive to prostate cancer in Western populations. Molecular markers such as the TEMPRESS:ERG fusion gene and PTEN loss may provide novel methods of screening East Asian men for prostate cancer. National-level guidelines for prostate cancer screening and management are only available in Japan.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of prostate cancer in East Asian men is likely similar to that in Western male populations. East Asian men present at higher stages of prostate cancer, likely because of a lack of standardized screening protocols. Urologists in Western countries should screen East Asian men for prostate cancer using the same standards as used for Western men.

Orthotopic bladder substitution (neobladder): part I: indications, patient selection, preoperative education, and counseling

Bladder substitution following radical cystectomy for urothelial cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) has become increasingly common and in many centers has evolved to become the standard method of urinary diversion. In determining the best type of urinary diversion for a specific patient, consideration must be given to both the morbidity associated with surgery and the potential positive impact on the patient's quality of life. Decision-making and perioperative care is ideally multidisciplinary, involving physicians and nurse specialists in urology, continence, and ostomy therapy. Physiotherapists may also be involved for pelvic floor muscle retraining. This article highlights preoperative considerations for patients undergoing radical cystectomy with a focus on issues specific to orthotopic bladder substitution as the method of urinary diversion. The second article in this 2-part series will outline postoperative strategies to manage these patients.

The incidence of prostate cancer and urothelial cancer in the prostate in cystoprostatectomy specimens in a tertiary care Canadian centre

INTRODUCTION

Radical cystoprostatectomy remains the gold standard treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, given the treatment related complications of compromised potency and continence with this procedure, prostate/sexuality sparing cystectomy in orthotopic neobladder candidates has emerged in an effort to minimize these quality of life concerns. Recent evidence suggests only a marginal functional benefit from these technical refinements. We sought to determine the incidence of occult prostate cancer and urothelial cancer of the prostate in cystoprostatectomy specimens conducted for muscle invasive bladder cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 83 male patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer between April 2004 and March 2007. The median age of our study group was 71 years. Pathologic findings of prostate/urothelial cancer in the prostate were identified. Clinically significant prostate cancer was defined as Gleason score >6, tumour volume >0.5cc, extracapsular extension or perineural invasion.

RESULTS

Our review yielded a 30% (±10%, 0.95 CI) rate of prostate cancer, with 19% (± 8.5%, 0.95 CI) of total specimens being positive for clinically significant prostate cancer. Urothelial cancer in the prostate was identified in 16% (±8.5%, 0.95 CI) of patients, with an overlap with prostate cancer in 2 patients. The overall rate of an underlying cancer within the prostate of our cystoprostatectomy specimens was about 46% (±10.7%, 0.95 CI).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the oncological risk of leaving behind residual cancer may not justify the practice of prostate-sparing cystectomies.

[Prognostic influence of prostate gland invasion by bladder tumour and/or prostate cancer in cystoprostatectomy specimen: a review]

INTRODUCTION

Cystoprostatectomy (CPT) is the gold standard surgical treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). In certain cases, MIBC can invade the prostate gland and/or a prostate cancer (PCa) can be discovered fortuitously on the pathologic specimen. The aim of the current study was to report the prognostic influence of PCa in patients who underwent a CPT for MIBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the scientific literature was achieved in the Pubmed database, using the following keywords: prostatic neoplasm; urinary bladder neoplasm; cystectomy; surgery; recurrence; prognosis; survival. Clinical cases and series of less than five cases were deliberately excluded herein.

RESULTS

Overall, ten studies published between 2004 and 2011 and involving 2196 patients were selected. Only retrospective studies of low level of evidence (NP 4) were available. The incidence of neoplastic invasion of the prostate gland by MIBC ranged from 25 to 48%. Preoperative predictors were multiple BC, recurrent, location in the trigone and existence of CIS. Overall survival at 3 years was significantly affected by the invasion of the prostate gland (pT4a) in these patients. The incidence of PCa discovered incidentally pathologic specimen CPT ranged from 14 to 49%. Only age was found as a positive predictor. The diagnosis of PCa did not influence survival of patients with MIBC and no specific PCa adjuvant treatment was systematically advocated.

CONCLUSION

Fortuitous diagnosis of PCa and/or neoplastic invasion of the prostatic gland by BC on CPT specimen is not uncommon but this is variable across studies, depending on the quality of the pathological analysis. The invasion of the prostate gland by MIBC is a serious situation (pT4a) and linked with a poor prognosis. In case of concomitant PCa and MIBC, the prognosis is much more related to the natural history of the bladder tumour.

[Treatment of bladder cancer. Value of radical prostate-sparing cystectomy]

In the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, prostate-sparing cystectomy represents a surgical alternative to radical cystoprostatectomy with equivalent oncological and improved functional results. Patient selection for prostate-sparing cystectomy is very critical and men with pT1 high-grade or solitary pT2 urothelial cancer without multifocal CIS and bladder neck involvement appear to be the most appropriate candidates. Stromal invasion of the prostate and accompanying clinically significant prostate cancer must be ruled out by appropriate diagnostic maneuvers. Considering the above-mentioned selection criteria, local and systemic relapse rates are around 3 and 13%, respectively, and do not differ from radical cystoprostatectomy. Daytime and nighttime continence is around 90-95% and erectile function can be preserved in 80-90% of the patients. Therefore, the functional results are much better than those achieved for nerve-sparing radical cystoprostatectomy. Especially young men might benefit from prostate-sparing cystectomy.

Australian & New Zealand Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito-Urinary Group: 2011 consensus guidelines for curative radiotherapy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Curative radiotherapy, with or without concurrent chemotherapy, is recognized as a standard treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. It is commonly used for two distinct groups of patients: either for those medically unfit for surgery, or as part of a 'bladder preserving' management plan incorporating the possibility of salvage cystectomy. However, in both situations, the approach to radiotherapy varies widely around the world. The Australian and New Zealand Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito-Urinary Group recognised a need to develop consistent, evidence-based guidelines for patient selection and radiotherapy technique in the delivery of curative radiotherapy. Following a workshop convened in May 2009, a working party collated opinions and conducted a wide literature appraisal linking each recommendation with the best available evidence. This process was subject to ongoing re-presentation to the Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito-Urinary Group members prior to final endorsement. These Guidelines include patient selection, radiation target delineation, dose and fractionation schedules, normal tissue constraints and investigational techniques. Particular emphasis is given to the rationale for the target volumes described. These Guidelines provide a consensus-based framework for the delivery of curative radiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Widespread input from radiation oncologists treating bladder cancer ensures that these techniques are feasible in practice. We recommend these Guidelines be adopted widely in order to encourage a uniformly high standard of radiotherapy in this setting, and to allow for better comparison of outcomes.

Defining patient selection for prostate-sparing cystectomy in squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder associated with bilharziasis: an overview of 236 patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine possible risk factors associated with prostate invasion in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the urinary bladder associated with bilharziasis.

METHODS

After obtaining approval from the medical ethics committee, we reviewed the clinical and pathologic data from 236 male patients in our department between January 2006 and October 2010 who were treated with radical cystoprostatectomy and proved to have SCC associated with bilharziasis. We reviewed the clinical and histopathologic data regarding prostate infiltration from SCC of the urinary bladder associated with bilharziasis.

RESULTS

Two-hundred thirty-six patients were included in this study. Prostate infiltration was present in 14 patients (5.9%). Tumor located in the bladder neck (P = .000001), tumors >5 cm (P = .009), and advanced clinical tumor stage (P = .000001) were associated with highly statistically significant increased risk of prostate invasion from SCC of the urinary bladder. Different patients' ages, high tumor grade, and regional lymph nodes' metastasis were not associated with increased risk of prostate invasion from SCC of the urinary bladder.

CONCLUSION

Prostate infiltration from SCC of the urinary bladder (which is associated with bilharziasis) is not uncommon. Tumor >5 cm, bladder neck tumor, and high clinical tumor stages should be considered at least relative contraindications for prostate-sparing cystectomy.