Presence of lymphovascular invasion in urothelial bladder cancer specimens after transurethral resections correlates with risk of upstaging and survival: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Markers in Identifying Pathological Complete Response Status in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients Who Achieved Clinical Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Prior research has demonstrated a discrepancy between pathologic and clinical staging in individuals with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). These findings were the major reasons for the under-usage of the bladder preservation strategy. Hence, we aim to explore the reliable markers in identifying pathological complete response (ypCR) status in MIBC patients who achieved clinical complete response (cCR) after NAC.

METHODS

Between January 2016 and April 2023, 161 consecutive MIBC patients treated with NAC and achieved cCR were enrolled in the study. Patient clinicopathologic information was documented. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used for determining adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). It considered statistically significant when a P < .05.

RESULTS

Of the 161 MIBC patients with cCR after NAC, 64.0% (103/161) achieved ypCR after RC. The independent factors for ypCR status were the origin of MIBC (secondary vs. Primary) with odds ratios (OR) of 0.433 (P = .027), the pathological type (pure vs. mixed) with OR of 3.556 (P = .003), concurrent carcinoma in situ (yes vs. no) with OR of 0.360 (P = .016), and lymphovascular invasion (yes vs. no) with OR of 0.271 (P = .007).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that primary MIBC, pure UC pathological type, absence of concurrent CIS, and LVI were significant predictors of ypCR in MIBC patients who achieved cCR after NAC and before surgery. These findings may contribute to the decision-making process of bladder preservation strategy in selected patients.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer with intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The predictive accuracy of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the prognosis of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy (BCG) after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) remains unknown. Therefore, the current study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the relationship between preoperative NLR and the prognosis of patients with NMIBC with intravesical BCG immunotherapy.

Methods

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, articles were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases from their inception to 14 May 2024. The role of NLR in predicting recurrence and progression in NMIBC was determined using pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Seven articles were included in this meta-analysis, involving 4,187 patients. An elevated NLR was significantly associated with recurrence (HR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.34-5.32, P < 0.001) and progression (HR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.13-2.60, P = 0.004) in patients with NMIBC with intravesical BCG immunotherapy.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that elevated preoperative NLR levels were significantly associated with recurrence and disease progression in patients with NMIBC who underwent intravesical BCG immunotherapy after TURBT.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2024-7-0058/, identifier 202470058.

Predicting the Lymphovascular Invasion in Carcinoma Bladder at Transurethral Resection

INTRODUCTION

Bladder cancer is among the most common malignant neoplasms in the world. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is considered the standard procedure for diagnosis, staging, and risk classification of bladder tumors. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is considered a poor prognostic factor. Its assessment of TURBT is very important for risk stratification and decision-making for further treatment. The purpose of our clinical study is to attempt to predict/assess the correlation between LVI and various preoperative (age, gender, history of smoking, hematuria, urine cytology, and hydronephrosis/hydroureteronephrosis), intraoperative (tumor number, size, and appearance - sessile/ pedunculated) and histopathological (tumor histology, grading, and muscle invasion) factors.

METHODOLOGY

In this prospective study, 75 patients with bladder tumors underwent TURBT (standard monopolar TURBT with 1.5% glycine as irrigation solution) in the Department of Urology at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati between October 2021 and March 2023. Histopathological examination (HPE) reports were looked for the presence or absence of LVI. Accordingly, patients were divided into two groups, i.e., those with LVI and those without LVI. Various preoperative and intraoperative variables were analyzed for each subject in both groups. Statistically significant variables occurring in those patients with LVI compared to those without LVI were considered predictors of LVI in bladder tumors.  Results: Sixteen patients out of 75 (21.33%) had LVI on their histopathology examination. The mean age was 68.19 years in the group with LVI and 64.14 years in the group without LVI. A total of 60 men (80%) and 15 women (20%) were included in our study. Thirteen men (21.7%) and three women (20%) were found to have LVI. We observed a significant association between the appearance of the tumor and LVI. Fifty-four subjects in our study had sessile tumors. Fifteen out of them (27.8%) had LVI, while only one out of 21 patients (4.8%) with pedunculated tumors had LVI (p-value=0.028). 30% of subjects who had high-grade tumors on HPE also had LVI. On the contrary, only one of 25 patients (4%) with low-grade tumors had LVI (p-value=0.010). Our study also showed a significant association between muscle invasion and LVI. Thirty-four (45.3%) and 41 (54.7%) patients had muscle-invasive and non-muscle-invasive tumors, respectively. While 12 (35.3%) patients with muscle-invasive tumors had LVI, only four (9.8%) patients with non-muscle-invasive tumors showed LVI (p-value=0.007).

CONCLUSION

We observed that LVI of bladder tumors at first TURBT is significantly associated with tumor grade, tumor appearance, and depth of invasion of the tumor. Though statistically not significant, we further observed that LVI was more commonly found in smokers, patients with hematuria, and larger tumor sizes. We conclude that these factors can be used as reliable predictors of LVI of bladder tumors at their first TURBT.

The Effect of Lymphovascular Invasion on Short-Term Tumor Recurrence and Progression in Stage T1 Bladder Cancer

Introduction Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is the most important stage for tumor spread and metastasis. The role of LVI in transurethral resection is not yet clear. In this study, the progression and recurrences of patients who underwent transurethral resection bladder tumor (TUR-BT) and T1 high-grade tumor and concomitant LVI were detected in pathology results and were evaluated. Methods Our study included 58 patients, who underwent TUR-BT with the suspicion of bladder cancer and were pathologically diagnosed with T1 stage bladder cancer and who did not undergo radical surgery, in the Urology Clinic of Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Turkey. The patient's age, gender, tumor size, tumor grade, presence of LVI, second resection, recurrence, and progression rates at three months and one year were compared. Results LVI was detected in the pathology specimens of nine (15.5%) of the 58 patients who were included in the study. When the one-year progression was evaluated, progression to T2 tumor was detected in six (66.7%) patients in the group with LVI and five (10.2%) patients in the group without LVI, and the progression was significantly higher in the group with LVI (p=0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the only significant predictor for one-year progression was the presence of LVI (p=0.001). Conclusion According to the results of our study, the presence of LVI in the pathology specimens of patients with T1 high grade significantly increases the progression. Suggesting radical cystectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy to patients with LVI in the early period seems to be a more accurate approach, considering the course of the disease.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor-based bladder preservation therapy for refractory high risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: Current landscape and future directions

Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of urinary system worldwide. Approximately 75% of patients with bladder cancer present with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which is effectively managed with transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). For refractory high risk NMIBC, patients are typically treated by radical cystectomy (RC). TURBT deserves further evaluation. Growing evidence suggests that repeated TURBT-based bladder-sparing approaches may improve oncological outcomes and quality of life in highly selected patients. Novel imaging techniques and biomarkers may aid in patients selection and postoperative surveillance. With growing interest in adding immunotherapy to refractory bladder cancer, TURBT based approaches enable the bladder preservation therapy for high risk NMIBC. Here we summarize the current landscape, biomarkers for surveillance, and future directions for applying TURBT-based bladder preservation therapy.

[Early cystectomy-patient selection and technique]

Early radical cystectomy (RC) is a therapeutic option for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The 15-year overall survival after early RC in NMIBC patients is about 70%. Nevertheless, RC is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and therefore requires careful patient selection. The aim of the following review is to assess the selection process for early RC in NMIBC. Especially, the new European Association of Urology (EAU) risk calculator identifying NMIBC patients with very high risk for disease progression is described in detail. Furthermore, the technical aspects of the procedure are evaluated. A review of the current literature (PubMed) and national and international guideline recommendations was also conducted.

A 25-year perspective on advances in an understanding of the biology, evaluation, treatment and future directions/challenges of urothelial cancer

The Urologic Oncology Journal was founded 25 years ago and we reviewed the literature since that time in the area of urothelial cancer to see the progress and pitfalls we have made over this time period. A comprehensive literature search was conducted by the authors involved who are all actively involved in research, clinical trials, and treatment for urothelial cancer and the results were summarized over the past 25 years. The field of urothelial cancer has evolved tremendously in the last 25 years with the incorporation of molecular subtyping, novel imaging, immunotherapy, and robotic surgery. However, treatments such as BCG and radical cystectomy have remained steadfast over the last 25 years. Although we have a better understanding of the biology of bladder cancer, we still have a long way from being able to cure patients with bladder cancer and eliminate morbidity from treatments. Nevertheless, considerable progress has been made since the founding of the Urologic Oncology Journal 25 years ago.

European Association of Urology (EAU) Prognostic Factor Risk Groups for Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and WHO 1973 Classification Systems for Grade: An Update from the EAU NMIBC Guidelines Panel

BACKGROUND

The European Association of Urology (EAU) prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are used to provide recommendations for patient treatment after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). They do not, however, take into account the widely used World Health Organization (WHO) 2004/2016 grading classification and are based on patients treated in the 1980s.

OBJECTIVE

To update EAU prognostic factor risk groups using the WHO 1973 and 2004/2016 grading classifications and identify patients with the lowest and highest probabilities of progression.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Individual patient data for primary NMIBC patients were collected from the institutions of the members of the EAU NMIBC guidelines panel.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent TURBT followed by intravesical instillations at the physician's discretion.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models were fitted to the primary endpoint, the time to progression to muscle-invasive disease or distant metastases. Patients were divided into four risk groups: low-, intermediate-, high-, and a new, very high-risk group. The probabilities of progression were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

A total of 3401 patients treated with TURBT ± intravesical chemotherapy were included. From the multivariable analyses, tumor stage, WHO 1973/2004-2016 grade, concomitant carcinoma in situ, number of tumors, tumor size, and age were used to form four risk groups for which the probability of progression at 5 yr varied from <1% to >40%. Limitations include the retrospective collection of data and the lack of central pathology review.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides updated EAU prognostic factor risk groups that can be used to inform patient treatment and follow-up. Incorporating the WHO 2004/2016 and 1973 grading classifications, a new, very high-risk group has been identified for which urologists should be prompt to assess and adapt their therapeutic strategy when necessary.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The newly updated European Association of Urology prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer provide an improved basis for recommending a patient's treatment and follow-up schedule.

Impact of Lymphovascular Invasion on Prognosis in the Patients with Bladder Cancer-Comparison of Transurethral Resection and Radical Cystectomy

(1) Background: This study aimed to evaluate the associations of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) at first transurethral resection of bladder (TURBT) and radical cystectomy (RC) with survival outcomes, and to evaluate the concordance between LVI at first TURBT and RC. (2) Methods: We analyzed 216 patients who underwent first TURBT and 64 patients who underwent RC at Toho University Sakura Medical Center. (3) Results: LVI was identified in 22.7% of patients who underwent first TURBT, and in 32.8% of patients who underwent RC. Univariate analysis identified ≥cT3, metastasis and LVI at first TURBT as factors significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Multivariate analysis identified metastasis (hazard ratio (HR) 6.560, p = 0.009) and LVI at first TURBT (HR 9.205, p = 0.003) as significant predictors of CSS. On the other hand, in patients who underwent RC, ≥pT3, presence of G3 and LVI was significantly associated with OS and CSS in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis identified inclusion of G3 as a significant predictor of OS and CSS. The concordance rate between LVI at first TURBT and RC was 48.0%. Patients with positive results for LVI at first TURBT and RC displayed poorer prognosis than other patients (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: We found that the combination of LVI at first TURBT and RC was likely to provide a more significant prognostic factor.

Stage T1 bladder cancer: diagnostic criteria and pitfalls

Accurate pathological staging is crucial for patient management. Patients with T1 bladder cancer are at risk of recurrence, progression, and death of cancer. Recognition of early invasion (stage T1 disease) in urothelial carcinoma remains one of the most challenging areas in urological surgical pathology practice. A logical roadmap to T1 diagnosis would include careful evaluation of histological grade, stromal epithelial interface, characteristics of the invading epithelium, and the stroma associated responses. Tangential sectioning, crush and cautery artifacts, and associated inflammatory infiltrate are commonly encountered problems and the source of pitfalls. In this review, we outline diagnostic criteria, common pitfalls, and different histological patterns of invasion into the lamina propria. Current recommendations on reporting of biopsy and transurethral resection specimens, molecular biomarkers, clinical implications of T1 cancer diagnosis and recent developments on the T1 substaging are also discussed. Most T1 bladder cancer patients will benefit from conservative management after restaging transurethral resection of bladder and bacillus Calmette-Guérin maintenance. Patients with high risk features, such as concurrent urothelial carcinoma in situ, increased depth of invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and variant histology among others, should be considered for early cystectomy.

Preoperative Clinical Predictors of Lymphovascular Invasion of Bladder Tumors at Transurethral Resection Pathology

Background

The assessment of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) on the specimens of a transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) is very important for risk stratification and decision-making on further treatment for bladder cancer.

Objectives

The present study aimed to identify clinical predictors associated with the risk of bladder cancer with LVI before a first TURBT.

Methods

A total of 291 patients underwent a first TURBT for bladder cancer at Toho University Sakura Medical Center between January 2012 and December 2016. We analyzed predictors of LVI based on data from 217 patients and predictors of high grade and ≥ pT1 tumors based on data from the medical records of 237 patients for comparison with LVI risk factors.

Results

Univariate analysis significantly associated LVI with episodes of gross hematuria, positive urinary cytology, and larger, non-papillary and sessile tumors. Multivariate analysis selected larger tumors [odds ratio (OR) 1.39; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.78; p = 0.01], and non-papillary (OR 10.05; 95% CI 3.75-26.91; p < 0.01) and sessile (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.18-5.93; p = 0.02) tumors as significant predictors of LVI. Some predictors such as tumor size and non-papillary tumors overlapped between high-grade and ≥ pT1 bladder cancer.

Conclusions

These predictors can help clinicians to identify patients with, or who are at high-risk for LVI before undergoing a first TURBT and to determine priorities for preoperative evaluation and scheduling consecutive treatments.

French ccAFU guidelines – Update 2018–2020: Bladder cancer

Objective

To propose updated French guidelines for non-muscle invasive (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive (MIBC) bladder cancers.

Methods

A Medline search was achieved between 2015 and 2018, as regards diagnosis, options of treatment and follow-up of bladder cancer, to evaluate different references with levels of evidence.

Results

Diagnosis of NMIBC (Ta, T1, CIS) is based on a complete deep resection of the tumor. The use of fluorescence and a second-look indication are essential to improve initial diagnosis. Risks of both recurrence and progression can be estimated using the EORTC score. A stratification of patients into low, intermediate and high risk groups is pivotal for recommending adjuvant treatment: instillation of chemotherapy (immediate post-operative, standard schedule) or intravesical BCG (standard schedule and maintenance). Cystectomy is recommended in BCG-refractory patients. Extension evaluation of MIBC is based on contrast-enhanced pelvic-abdominal and thoracic CT-scan. Multiparametric MRI can be an alternative. Cystectomy associated with extended lymph nodes dissection is considered the gold standard for non-metastatic MIBC. It should be preceded by cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in eligible patients. An orthotopic bladder substitution should be proposed to both male and female patients with no contraindication and in cases of negative frozen urethral samples; otherwise transileal ureterostomy is recommended as urinary diversion. All patients should be included in an Early Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. For metastatic MIBC, first-line chemotherapy using platin is recommended (GC or MVAC), when performans status (PS < 1) and renal function (creatinine clearance > 60 mL/min) allow it (only in 50 % of cases). In second line treatment, immunotherapy with pembrolizumab demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival.

Conclusion

These updated French guidelines will contribute to increase the level of urological care for the diagnosis and treatment for NMIBC and MIBC.

Reduced E-cadherin expression as a prognostic factor in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The exact role of E-cadherin in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is still unknown, and the aims of this study were to prove whether reduced E-cadherin expression can be a prognostic factor in patients with NMIBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the prognostic value of reduced E-cadherin expression in NMIBC. The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were included in the study search.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies with a total of 1538 NMIBC patients were included. The results showed that reduced E-cadherin expression was significantly associated with poor recurrence-free survival (RFS) (pooled HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.22-3.85) and progression-free survival (PFS) (pooled HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.52-2.40) in NMIBC patients.

CONCLUSION

E-cadherin can be a prognostic factor for patients with NMIBC.

Reasons for intravesical instillation postponement during adjuvant treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A prospective study

INTRODUCTION

Intravesical instillations for adjuvant treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) may be postponed of necessity. However, the frequency and reasons for postponement are unclear.

MATERIALS

We carried out a prospective, epidemiological study in an Urology department of the Île-de-France, between August 2016 and March 2017, to determine the frequency and reasons for postponement of intravesical instillations during adjuvant treatment of NMIBC. One-hundred consecutive patients treated by intravesical instillations of mitomycin C (MMC) or Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) were included. At each session and in case of instillation postponement, the medical team completed a specially designed questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 541 instillations were performed in the 100 patients. Twenty-four instillations (4.4%) were postponed in 19 patients. The major cause of postponement was an untreated positive urine analysis and culture (UAC) in 13/24 (54%) cases. The causes of cancellation did not differ significantly between MMC and BCG. The most frequently cancelled instillations were the first in the therapeutic protocol in 26% of cases. The number of instillations preceding those cancelled did not differ significantly between MMC and BCG (2.1±2.0 instillations for MMC vs. 1.5±1.6 for BCG; P=0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a low rate of postponed instillations (4.4%). The main reasons, namely an untreated UAC and a positive dipstick test, based on the jurisprudence, are not included in the latest CC-AFU guidelines.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

T1 bladder cancer: current considerations for diagnosis and management

Stage T1 bladder cancers invade the lamina propria of the bladder and, despite sharing many of the genetic features of muscle-invasive bladder cancers, are classified as non-muscle-invasive or 'superficial' tumours. Yet, patients with T1 bladder cancer have an overall mortality of 33% and a cancer-specific mortality of 14% at three years after diagnosis, suggesting that these patients have a high risk of progression and, accordingly, require meticulous surgery, endoscopic surveillance and clinical decision-making. We hypothesize that the variability in the outcomes of patients with T1 bladder cancer is a result of both tumour heterogeneity and pathological staging, as well as inconsistencies in risk stratification, endoscopic resection and schedules of delivery of BCG. Owing to limitations in clinical staging, patients with T1 bladder cancer are at risk of both undertreatment with persistent use of BCG despite recurrence, and overtreatment with early cystectomy. Understanding the molecular features of T1 bladder cancers and how they respond to BCG therapy could improve biomarkers for risk stratification to align therapy with biological risk.

The Role and Importance of Timely Radical Cystectomy for High-Risk Non-muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer accounts for the majority of incident bladder cancers but is a heterogeneous disease with variation in clinical presentation, course, and outcomes. Risk stratification techniques have attempted to identify those at highest risk of cancer recurrence and progression to help personalize and individualize treatment options. Radical cystectomy during the optimal window of curability could improve cancer outcomes; however, identifying the disease and patient characteristics as well as the correct timing to intervene remains difficult. We review the natural history of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, discuss different risk-stratification techniques and how they can help identify those most likely to benefit from radical treatment, and examine the evidence supporting the benefit of timely cystectomy.

Molecular subtypes applied to a population-based modern cystectomy series do not predict cancer-specific survival

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the preoperative prognostic value of molecular subtypes in relation to clinical information, histopathological findings, and molecular markers for patients with bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After standard preoperative staging, a population-based cohort of 519 patients underwent radical cystectomy between 2006 and 2011. Following pathological review of all transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimens, tissue microarrays were constructed, and RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed tissue blocks. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using markers suggested to be relevant for prognosis (ZEB2, CCND1, CD3, CD68, CDH3, HER3, KRT14, CDKN2A(p16), TP63, FGFR3, EPCAM, GATA3, FOXA1, ERBB2, and EGFR). IHC- and gene-expression-based molecular classification was also conducted. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used for survival analyses.

RESULTS

Clinical T3 stage (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.6, Confidence Interval [CI] 1.1-2.3), hydronephrosis (HR 1.7, CI 1.2-2.3), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (HR 2.6, CI 1.9-3.6), extensive necrosis (HR 1.6, CI 1.1-2.5), and CD68/CD3-ratio >1 (HR 1.3, CI 1.1-1.5) in the transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimen was associated with worse cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (data not shown). In multivariate analysis, higher clinical T stage (HR 1.3, CI 1.1-1.7; P = 0.007) and presence of LVI (HR 2.4, CI 1.7-3.5; P = 1.8 × 10^-6) were associated with worse CSS, whereas only LVI was associated with progression-free survival. Molecular subtypes (assessed by Lund taxonomy and the Consensus molecular subtypes of muscle-invasive bladder cancer) and published single IHC markers were not associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present large population-based cystectomy series, LVI and clinical stage were independently associated with CSS. However, molecular subtypes determined by global gene expression showed no such association with CSS according to either the Consensus molecular subtypes of muscle-invasive bladder cancer or Lund taxonomy.

Selection of patients and benefit of immediate radical cystectomy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common disease in both sexes and majority of cases present as non-muscle invasive BC (NMIBC). The percentage of NMIBC progressing to muscle invasive BC (MIBC) varies between 25% and 75% and currently there are no reliable molecular markers that may predict the outcome of high-risk (HR) NMIBC. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or immediate radical cystectomy (RC) are the current gold standard treatment options. The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines recommend immediate or delayed RC for HR- and a subgroup of "highest-risk" NMIBC. These cases include pT1, carcinoma in-situ (CIS), multifocal disease, histological variants such as micropapillary and sarcomatoid, and patients who have contraindications to, or have failed with BCG. The comparative risks between maintenance BCG (mBCG) and immediate RC are unclear. However, RC may give patients the best oncological outcome.

Novel nomograms to predict recurrence and progression in primary non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: validation of predictive efficacy in comparison with European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer scoring system

PURPOSE

To develop and validate novel nomograms to predict recurrence and progression after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in Korean patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 970 newly diagnosed NMIBC patients after TURBT between 2000 and 2013 in a single institution. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to identify the significant predictors of recurrence and progression, which resulted in the construction of the nomograms predicting the 5-year probability of recurrence and progression. We internally validated the nomograms using the area under the receiver-operating characteristics' curves and calibration plots. In addition, the clinical usefulness of each nomogram was assessed and compared with that of the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-scoring system using decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

The significant factors related to recurrence were gross hematuria at diagnosis, previous or concomitant upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), pT1 tumor, high tumor grade, multiple tumors, and intravesical therapy. The significant predictors of progression were previous or concomitant UTUC, pT1 tumor, high tumor grade, carcinoma in situ, and lymphovascular invasion. The 5-year predictive accuracy of each nomogram was 65% for recurrence and 70% for progression, respectively. Compared with the EORTC-scoring system, the nomograms were generally well calibrated. On DCA, each nomogram presented better net benefit gains than did the EORTC-scoring system across a wide range of threshold probabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel nomograms are not completely accurate, but they show a reasonable level of discriminative ability, adequate calibration, and meaningful net benefit gain for the prediction of recurrence and progression after TURBT in Korean NMIBC patients. Additional external validation will be required to generalize the nomograms which we developed.

Risk Stratification Tools and Prognostic Models in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: A Critical Assessment from the European Association of Urology Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Guidelines Panel

CONTEXT

This review focuses on the most widely used risk stratification and prediction tools for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical use and relevance of risk stratification and prediction tools to enhance clinical decision making and counselling of patients with NMIBC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The most frequent, currently used risk stratification tools and prognostic models for NMIBC patients were identified by the members of the European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines Panel on NMIBC.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The 2006 European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk tables are the most widely used and validated tools for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in NMIBC patients. The EAU risk categories constitute a simple alternative to the EORTC risk tables and can be used for comparable risk stratification. In the subgroup of NMIBC patients treated with a short maintenance schedule of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the Club Urológico Español de Tratamiento Oncológico (CUETO) scoring model is more accurate than the EORTC risk tables. Both the EORTC risk tables and the CUETO scoring model overestimate the recurrence and progression risks in patients treated according to current guidelines. The new concept of conditional recurrence and progression estimates is very promising during follow-up but should be validated.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk stratification and prognostic models enable outcome comparisons and standardisation of treatment and follow-up. At present, none of the available risk stratification and prognostic models reflects current standards of treatment. The EORTC risk tables and CUETO scoring model should be updated with previously unavailable data and recalculated.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease. A risk-based therapeutic approach is recommended. We present available risk stratification and prediction tools and the degree of their validation with the aim to increase their use in everyday clinical practice.

RETRACTED: Recommandations françaises du Comité de Cancérologie de l’AFU — Actualisation 2018—2020 : tumeurs de la vessie French ccAFU guidelines — Update 2018—2020: Bladder cancer

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). Cet article est retiré de la publication à la demande des auteurs car ils ont apporté des modifications significatives sur des points scientifiques après la publication de la première version des recommandations. Le nouvel article est disponible à cette adresse: doi:10.1016/j.purol.2019.01.006. C’est cette nouvelle version qui doit être utilisée pour citer l’article. This article has been retracted at the request of the authors, as it is not based on the definitive version of the text because some scientific data has been corrected since the first issue was published. The replacement has been published at the doi:10.1016/j.purol.2019.01.006. That newer version of the text should be used when citing the article.

Lymphovascular invasion have a similar prognostic value as lymph node involvement in patients undergoing radical cystectomy with urothelial carcinoma

To determine the prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy. Total of 747 patients underwent radical cystectomy; of these, only 164 did not undergo lymph node dissection (LND). The patients were divided into 4 groups: N0, N1, LVI without LND, and non-LVI without LND. Patients in the N1 and LVI groups had significantly higher T stages and grades, as well 1.5- to 2-fold higher recurrence and mortality rates. Overall survival (OS) was significantly poorer in the N1 group, compared with the N0 and non-LVI groups (p = 0.001 and 0.012), and in the LVI group relative to the N0 and non-LVI groups (p = < 0.001 and <0.001). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was also significantly poorer in the N1 group relative to the N0 and non-LVI groups (p = < 0.001 and <0.001), and in the LVI group relative to the N0 and non-LVI groups (p = < 0.001 and <0.001). Among patients undergoing radical cystectomy, the clinical results predicted by LVI were similar to those predicted by lymph node involvement. Therefore, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy may need to be prospectively evaluated in LVI-positive patients regardless of T stage after radical cystectomy.

Predictors of oncological outcomes in T1G3 patients treated with BCG who undergo radical cystectomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the oncological impact of postponing radical cystectomy (RC) to allow further conservative therapies prior to progression in a large multicentre retrospective cohort of T1-HG/G3 patients initially treated with BCG.

METHODS

According to the time of RC, the population was divided into 3 groups: patients who did not progress to muscle-invasive disease, patients who progressed before radical cystectomy and patients who experienced progression at the time of radical cystectomy. Clinical and pathological outcomes were compared across the three groups.

RESULTS

Of 2451 patients, 509 (20.8%) underwent RC. Patients with tumors > 3 cm or with CIS had earlier cystectomies (HR = 1.79, p = 0.001 and HR = 1.53, p = 0.02, respectively). Patients with tumors > 3 cm, multiple tumors or CIS had earlier T3/T4 or N + cystectomies. In patients who progressed, the timing of cystectomy did not affect the risk of T3/T4 or N + disease at RC. Patients with T3/T4 or N + disease at RC had a shorter disease-specific survival (HR = 4.38, p < 0.001), as did patients with CIS at cystectomy (HR = 2.39, p < 0.001). Patients who progressed prior to cystectomy had a shorter disease-specific survival than patients for whom progression was only detected at cystectomy (HR = 0.58, p = 0.024) CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with RC before experiencing progression to muscle-invasive disease harbor better oncological and survival outcomes compared to those who progressed before RC and to those upstaged at surgery. Tumor size and concomitant CIS at diagnosis are the main predictors of surgical treatment while tumor size, CIS and tumor multiplicity are associated with extravesical disease at surgery.

A risk-stratified approach to the management of high-grade T1 bladder cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

A bladder-preserving approach for high-grade nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer that has invaded the lamina propria (T1HG) may result in increased recurrence, progression, and even death from bladder cancer in some patients. Initial radical cystectomy does have increased cancer-specific survival (CSS), but represents significant overtreatment for many patients. An evidence-based, risk-stratified approach is required to select patients for immediate radical cystectomy in order to improve CSS.

RECENT FINDINGS

A restaging transurethral resection aids in optimal staging and treatment of T1HG. Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin induction followed by 3 years of maintenance is the standard adjuvant management. However, when very high-risk (hydronephrosis, abnormal bimanual examination, variant histology, lymphovascular invasion, or residual disease on re-resection, and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin failure or early recurrence) or multiple high-risk factors (concomitant CIS, size >3 cm, multifocality, unfavorable tumor location, extensive lamina propria invasion, and elderly) are present, the risk of progression often outweighs the risk associated with radical cystectomy. In these cases, an immediate radical cystectomy likely provides an improved opportunity for cure compared to a bladder-preserving strategy.

SUMMARY

In order to increase the CSS of patients diagnosed with T1HG bladder cancer, an aggressive approach may benefit those with increased risk of progression.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of lymphovascular invasion in bladder cancer transurethral resection specimens

The aim of the present review was to assess the prognostic impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in transurethral resection (TUR) of bladder cancer (BCa) specimens on clinical outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature from the past 10 years was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library in August 2017. The protocol for this systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (Central Registration Depository: CRD42018084876) and is available in full on the University of York website. Overall, 33 studies (including 6194 patients) evaluating the presence of LVI at TUR were retrieved. LVI was detected in 17.3% of TUR specimens. In 19 studies, including 2941 patients with ≤cT1 stage only, LVI was detected in 15% of specimens. In patients with ≤cT1 stage, LVI at TUR of the bladder tumour (TURBT) was a significant prognostic factor for disease recurrence (pooled hazard ratio [HR] 1.97, 95% CI: 1.47-2.62) and progression (pooled HR 2.95, 95% CI: 2.11-4.13), without heterogeneity (I² = 0.0%, P = 0.84 and I² = 0.0%, P = 0.93, respectively). For patients with cT1-2 disease, LVI was significantly associated with upstaging at time of radical cystectomy (pooled odds ratio 2.39, 95% CI: 1.45-3.96), with heterogeneity among studies (I² = 53.6%, P = 0.044). LVI at TURBT is a robust prognostic factor of disease recurrence and progression in non-muscle invasive BCa. Furthermore, LVI has a strong impact on upstaging in patients with organ-confined disease. The assessment of LVI should be standardized, reported, and considered for inclusion in the TNM classification system, helping clinicians in decision-making and patient counselling.

Oncological Outcome of Primary and Secondary Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Conflicting results of survival outcomes for primary and secondary muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) have been reported in previous studies. Primary MIBC is defined as presentation of muscle-invasive disease at initial diagnosis while secondary MIBC presumes that non-muscle invasive disease later progressed to MIBC. Due to the varying reports, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare survival outcomes between the two groups. Relevant studies were retrieved from Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus using a comprehensive search approach. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was the outcome measure. A total of 14 studies involving 4,075 cases were included. Patients with secondary MIBC were significantly correlated with worse CSS in model I (pooled HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.07–1.56, P = 0.008). The results of sensitivity analyses indicated that the omission of any single study each time did not have a significant impact on the combined risk estimates. Egger’s test suggested no publication bias among these studies. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk score offers the possibility of stratifying the secondary MIBC patients into different risk groups. In high-risk NMIBC, timely radical cystectomy should be considered. Further study is required to assess the multimodal therapy in both high-risk NMIBC and secondary MIBC patients as well as to evaluate genetic and molecular drivers of tumor induction, promotion, and progression.

Accurate prediction of progression to muscle-invasive disease in patients with pT1G3 bladder cancer: A clinical decision-making tool

PURPOSE

To improve current prognostic models for the selection of patients with T1G3 urothelial bladder cancer who are more likely to fail intravesical therapy and progress to muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 1,289 patients with pT1G3 urothelial bladder cancer who were treated with transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) and adjuvant intravesical bacillus-Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Random-split sample data and competing-risk regression were used to identify the independent impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and variant histology (VH) on progression to MIBC. We developed a nomogram for predicting patient-specific probability of disease progression at 2 and 5 years after TURB. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to evaluate the clinical benefit associated with the use of our nomogram.

RESULTS

In the development cohort, within a median follow-up of 51.6 months (IQR: 19.3-92.5), disease progression occurred in 89 patients (13.8%). A total of 84 (13%) patients were found to have VH and 57 (8.8%) with LVI at TURB. Both factors were independently associated with disease progression on multivariable competing-risk analysis (HR: 4.4; 95% CI: 2.8-6.9; P<0.001 and HR: 3.5; 95% CI: 2.1-5.8; P<0.001, respectively). DCA showed superior net benefits for the nomogram within a threshold probability of progression between 5% and 55%. Limitations are inherent to the retrospective design.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated the clinical value of the integration of LVI and VH in a prognostic model for the prediction of MIBC. Indeed, our tool provides superior individualized risk estimation of progression facilitating decision-making regarding early RC.

Pathology in repeated transurethral resection of a bladder tumor as a risk factor for prognosis of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

The prognostic value of repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in patients with diagnosed high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) was investigated. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients treated from October 2004 to December 2013 at Seoul National University who underwent repeated TURBT within 2–6 weeks after an initial resection. The study enrolled patients who had been diagnosed with NMIBC at both the initial and repeat TURBT; patients with muscle-invasive tumors on repeat TURBT were excluded. We used stepwise multivariate Cox regression models stratified by study to assess the independent effects of the predictive factors and estimated hazard ratios (HRs) from the Cox models. We investigated a total of 198 patients who were diagnosed with high-risk NMIBC. In logistic regression analyses, number of bladder tumors (2–7: OR, 2.319; 8≤: OR, 3.353; p<0.05), initially high tumor grade (OR, 2.435; p = 0.040), and presence of carcinoma in situ lesion (OR, 3.639; p = 0.017) correlated with residual tumor in the repeated-TURBT specimen. T1 stage in repeated-TURBT significantly correlated with recurrence (HR, 1.837; p = 0.010) and progression (HR, 2.806; p = 0.029) in multivariate analysis. The high grades of tumors in repeated-TURBT also significantly correlated with progression but not recurrence in the multivariate analysis (HR 2.152; p = 0.008). In this study, the pathologic findings in repeated-TURBT correlated with recurrence and progression in high-risk NMIBC. Repeated-TURBT is valuable because it can predict the recurrence and progression of high-risk NMIBC in addition to obtaining accurate pathologic findings.

Lymphovascular invasion predicts poor prognosis in high-grade pT1 bladder cancer patients who underwent transurethral resection in one piece

Background

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in high-grade clinical T1 bladder cancer is usually considered a poor prognostic factor, but it is often difficult to achieve correct staging of T1 bladder cancer and diagnose the presence of LVI because of the inadequacy of conventional transurethral resection specimens. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic value of LVI in patients with correctly staged high-grade pathological T1 (pT1) bladder cancer who initially underwent transurethral resection in one piece (TURBO).

Methods

Eighty-six high-grade pT1 bladder cancer patients who underwent TURBO were enrolled. Risk of tumor understaging was avoided by examining the vertical resection margin of the TURBO specimen. Immunohistochemical staining using D2-40 and CD31 was performed to confirm LVI. We examined the association of LVI with other clinicopathological factors and the impact of LVI on progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival.

Results

The median follow-up period was 49 months (range, 6-142). In all patients, the tumors were accurately staged as pT1 at initial TURBO. LVI was detected in 15 patients (17%) and was significantly associated with tumor growth pattern (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified LVI as the only independent predictor for reduced progression-free survival (HR, 4.48; 95% CI, 1.45-13.90; P = 0.009) and cancer-specific survival (HR, 4.35; 95% CI, 1.17-16.24; P = 0.029).

Conclusions

The presence of LVI in TURBO specimens independently predicts poor clinical outcomes in patients with high-grade pT1 bladder cancer. This information may help urologists to counsel their patients when deciding whether to choose a bladder-preserving strategy or radical cystectomy.

The Prognostic Role of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in High-risk Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a prognostic marker in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and assess the efficacy and reliability of 2 different CTC isolation methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Globally, 155 patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of high-risk NMIBC were included (pT1G3 with or without carcinoma in situ) and underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) after a blood withdrawal for CTC evaluation. A total of 101 patients (Group A) had their samples analyzed with the CellSearch automated system, and 54 (Group B) had their samples analyzed with the CELLection Dynabeads manual system.

RESULTS

Patients were followed for 28 months, and during this interval, there were a total of 65 (41.9%) recurrences, 27 (17.4%) disease progressions, and 9 (5.8%) lymph node and/or bone metastasis. In our CTC analysis, there were 20 (19.8%) positive patients in Group A and 24 in Group B (44.4%). In our analysis, we found a strong correlation between CTC presence and time to first recurrence; in Group A, we observed an incidence of recurrence in 75% of CTC-positive patients and in Group B of 83% of CTC-positive patients. The time to progression was also strongly correlated with CTCs: 65% and 29%, respectively, of those patients who progressed in those with CTCs in Group A and B.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates the potential role of CTCs as a prognostic marker for risk stratification in patients with NMIBC, to predict both recurrence and progression.

Clinical significance of α‑ and β‑Klotho in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for ~70% of all bladder cancers. One of the serious clinical issues related to the management of NMIBC is that it has significant potential to progress to muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after initial treatments. α‑Klotho (KLα), originally identified as an anti‑aging gene, has recently been reported to have antitumor effects in various malignancies. In contrast, β‑Klotho (KLβ) has been reported to have protumoral functions. However, the associations between KLα/KLβ and the biological behavior of urothelial carcinoma remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the association between clinicopathological background factors of NMIBC and the expression levels of KLα or KLβ. A high expression level of KLβ, but not KLα, was an independent predictive factor of short progression‑free survival for NMIBC. An elevated level of KLβ correlated with a higher incidence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI). We added in vitro assays using human bladder cancer cell lines to investigate the role of KLβ. Treatment with exogenous KLβ protein increased the proliferation, migration, transendothelial migration abilities and anchorage‑independent growth of the cell lines. In addition, the KLβ concentration in voided urine samples obtained before initial transurethral surgery was quantitated with enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The urine KLβ concentration was found to be higher in patients with bladder cancer than that in healthy volunteers. Our results suggest that KLβ plays important roles in tumor invasion and progression, and its concentration may be a valuable urine‑based marker for the detection of bladder cancer.

The prognostic role of lymphovascular invasion in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Outcome prediction in patients with bladder cancer has improved through the development of nomograms and predictive models. However, integration of further characteristics such as lymphovascular invasion (LVI) might increase the accuracy and clinical utility of these instruments. Assessment and reporting of LVI in specimens from transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) or biopsy in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) or muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) might enable improved staging, prognostication and clinical decision-making. In NMIBC, presence of LVI in TURBT and biopsy samples seems to be associated with understaging and increased risks of disease recurrence and progression. In MIBC, presence of LVI is associated with features of aggressive disease and predicts recurrence and survival. Integration of LVI status into predictive models might aid clinical decision-making regarding intravesical instillation schedules and regimens, early radical cystectomy in patients with high-grade T1 disease and perioperative chemotherapy. However, LVI assessment is hampered by insufficient reproducibility and reliability, lack of routine evaluation and limited concordance between findings in TURBT and radical cystectomy specimens. Standardization of the pathological criteria defining LVI is warranted to improve its reporting in routine clinical practice and its utility as a care-changing prognostic marker.

Exploration of risk factors predicting outcomes for primary T1 high-grade bladder cancer and validation of the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment scoring model: Long-term follow-up experience at a single institute

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic factors of primary T1 high-grade bladder cancer and to validate the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment model in Japanese patients with T1 high-grade bladder cancer treated at a single institution.

METHODS

Records of 106 patients with T1 high-grade bladder cancer treated from 1998 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Variables included various clinicopathological parameters, including lymphovascular invasion and tumor growth pattern at the invasion front. Recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival were analyzed. Multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis was used to verify the prognostic significance of the variables. Scores for recurrence and progression were calculated using the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment model.

RESULTS

Of 106 patients, 44 (42%) had recurrence and 16 (15%) developed progression after a median (interquartile range) follow-up period of 54 months (range 32-81 months). Non-papillary shape was the only independent predictor for recurrence, while broad-based tumor stalk and infiltrative tumor growth pattern at the invasion front were determined to be independent predictors for progression. Stratification of patients according to the number of progression risk factors yielded hazard ratios of 10.1 and 13.1 in patients having one and two risks, respectively, compared with those without any risks. The Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment model successfully stratified our patients with a trend toward different probabilities of recurrence and progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study might be helpful for counseling certain patients towards intensive treatment, such as radical cystectomy and/or platinum-based systemic chemotherapy. In addition, the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment model might be applicable to Japanese patients with T1 high-grade bladder cancer.

In cystectomy specimens with bladder cancer whole organ embedding increases the detection rate of histopathological parameters, but not of those with prognostic significance

Histological tumor subtyping, staging, and grading are of utmost importance to stratify patients with bladder cancer for treatment and should be as precise as possible. In the presented study, we investigated the prognostic impact of standard clinicopathological parameters in cystectomy patients and compared embedding of the entire bladder with standard partial embedding via a virtual superimposed approach. The study included 121 cystectomy specimens, which were completely embedded. Clinical and histopathological data of patients were obtained (median follow-up 21.5 months; range 1-67 months). For 88 patients two-dimensional tumor maps (macrophotographs and histology-based maps) were prepared, and embedding of the entire bladder was compared with a virtual standard partial embedding, created by a virtual overlay and data extraction of the tumor maps. Kaplan-Meier plots, Cox regression estimators, Chi-square, and McNemar tests were used. In a multivariate Cox regression model for overall survival, only venous invasion (p = 0.008, HR = 3.35, 95 % CI 1.375-8.161) and organ-confined (pTis-pT2) versus non-organ-confined diseases (pT3-pT4; p = 0.021, HR 2.669, 95 % CI 1.157-6.159) were found significant. Advanced versus standard embedding revealed significant improvement in the detection of carcinoma in situ (50 versus 61, p = 0.003) and lymphatic invasion (18 versus 24, p = 0.041), but no significant advantage in the detection of tumor stage, tumor multifocality, or venous invasion (all p > 0.05). TNM classification, including lymphatic and venous invasion, is of utmost importance to stratify patients with advanced invasive bladder cancer. Histopathological details are detected more reliably by whole organ embedding, but this approach showed no significant benefit in terms of outcome-related parameters (max. tumor stage, venous invasion) in our cohort.