Is there a role for bladder preserving strategies in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer?

Can bladder preservation therapy come to the center stage?

Decision-making in urological cancer care requires a multidisciplinary approach for refinement, but its impact on urothelial carcinoma of the bladder has not been fully addressed for the past three decades, except for the latest immunological checkpoint inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer that is resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy. For the time being, radical cystectomy is the gold standard of curative therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Trimodal therapy that combines chemotherapy for the purpose of radiation sensitization, external beam radiotherapy and transurethral resection of bladder tumor has emerged as a potential alternative treatment option that preserves the bladder. In lack of randomized studies for bladder preservation therapy compared with surgery, the principles of management of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder have evolved in recent times, with an emphasis on bladder preservation. A number of bladder preservation techniques are available to the surgeon; however, appropriately selected patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer should be offered the opportunity to discuss various treatment options, including organ-sparing trimodal therapy. The aim of the present study was to compare the primary outcomes of the available treatment methods and identify the sources of variance among studies. A review of various bladder preservation techniques in vogue for the management of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is discussed.

Bladder function preservation with brachytherapy, external beam radiation therapy, and limited surgery in bladder cancer patients: Long-term results [corrected]

PURPOSE

To report long-term results of a bladder preservation strategy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) using external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy/interstitial radiation therapy (IRT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between May 1989 and October 2011, 192 selected patients with MIBC were treated with a combined regimen of preoperative external beam radiation therapy and subsequent surgical exploration with or without partial cystectomy and insertion of source carrier tubes for afterloading IRT using low dose rate and pulsed dose rate. Data for oncologic and functional outcomes were prospectively collected. The primary endpoints were local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), bladder function preservation survival, and salvage cystectomy-free survival. The endpoints were constructed according to the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 105.5 months. The LRFS rate was 80% and 73% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Salvage cystectomy-free survival at 5 and 10 years was 93% and 85%. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 65% and 46%, whereas cancer-specific survival at 5 and 10 years was 75% and 67%. The distant metastases-free survival rate was 76% and 69% at 5 and 10 years. Multivariate analysis revealed no independent predictors of LRFS. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade ≥3 late bladder and rectum toxicity were recorded in 11 patients (5.7%) and 2 patients (1%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A multimodality bladder-sparing regimen using IRT offers excellent long-term oncologic outcome in selected patients with MIBC. The late toxicity rate is low, and the majority of patients preserve their functional bladder.

Dual phase 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography with forced diuresis in diagnostic imaging evaluation of bladder cancer

INTRODUCTION

(18)F-FDG PET has been regarded as a limited value in urooncology due to urinary excretion of the tracer. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical value of dual-phase FDG PET/CT with forced diuresis protocol (iv furosemide-voiding and oral hydration) in invasive or high grade bladder cancer.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients were included in this study. All patients underwent standard staging procedures and dual-phase FDG PET/CT before planned therapy. PET/CT findings before and after furosemide were compared with each other for pelvic region. Dual phase PET/CT findings were also compared with the results of prior imaging studies and all findings were correlated with final diagnosis (histopathology or clinical follow-up for at least 12 months).

RESULTS

Intravesical FDG activity significantly decreased in 90% of the patients with forced diuresis protocol. Eighty eight percent of the bladder findings and 20% of the local lymph node metastases, and other pelvic findings (local invasion and second primary malignancy of prostate) were detected only by the additional pelvic PET/CT images. As a result, dual phase PET/CT changed the staging and/or the therapy strategy in 16 patients (31%).

CONCLUSION

Dual phase FDG PET/CT contributes staging and decision of therapy strategy by detecting local disease and pelvic metastases with high accuracy when combined with forced diuresis protocol. Thus, we recommend dual phase imaging method with forced diuresis protocol in FDG PET/CT for bladder cancer and all other urogenital system malignities.

Staging of muscle-invasive bladder cancer: can computerized tomography help us to decide on local treatment?

OBJECTIVES

To assess the power of multi-detector row computerized tomography (MDCT) in daily routine as a basic staging procedure for the decision on local treatment of patients with bladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 276 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy between 2004 and 2008 and correlated the MDCT findings with pathological findings, number of removed lymph nodes and type of urinary diversion.

RESULTS

Accuracy of MDCT in predicting pathological tumour stage was 49% (kappa coefficient, 0.23; P < 0.001). Overstaging occurred in 23.4%, and understaging occurred in 24.7%. Accuracy in predicting lymph node metastases was 54% (kappa coefficient, 0.04; P = 0.297). Overstaging and understaging occurred in 8.3 and 29.4%, respectively. Significantly more ileal conduits were performed in patients with high postoperative pathological tumour stages (P = 0.04) and positive lymph nodes (P = 0.013). In contrast, there was no correlation between preoperative CT tumour/nodal stage and the number of removed lymph nodes (P = 0.44 and P = 0.732, respectively), and between preoperative tumour stage and type of urinary diversion (P = 0.126).

CONCLUSIONS

MDCT as a preoperative staging procedure has a low accuracy in predicting the correct tumour and nodal stage, and therefore, it has little impact on decision-making for local treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer during radical cystectomy.

Does radical cystectomy improve overall survival in octogenarians with muscle-invasive bladder cancer?

PURPOSE

We compared the efficacy of radical cystectomy (RC) and non-RC treatment [transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) only, partial cystectomy, or TURB followed by radiotherapy] in octogenarians with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 177 patients aged 80 years or more underwent TURB at our institute, and 41 patients had MIBC according to the histologic examination. Fourteen patients with lymph node or distant metastasis were excluded, and 27 patients were ultimately included. Patients were stratified by treatment modality (RC vs. non-RC), Charlson Comorbidity Index (low CCI vs. high CCI), and clinical tumor stage (organ-confined disease vs. extravesical disease). The effects of several variables on cancer-specific and overall survival were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 27 patients, 11 (41%) underwent RC and 16 (59%) underwent non-RC treatment. Patients in the RC group were younger and more likely to have low CCI scores. There were no significant differences in overall or cancer-specific survival in the RC and non-RC groups. Patients with clinically organ-confined disease had better survival outcomes than did those with extravesical disease. Stratification of patients by CCI indicated that overall survival was better in patients with low CCI scores (p=0.013), although cancer-specific survival was similar in the two CCI groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that clinical tumor stage and CCI were independently associated with overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

RC in octogenarians with MIBC does not improve overall survival compared with other treatment modalities. However, clinically organ-confined disease and low CCI score were associated with better overall survival.

Efficacy of bladder-preserving therapy for patients with t3b, t4a, and t4b transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE

Radical cystectomy has been the most widely used method in the treatment of bladder cancer, but it is limited by major problems. Therefore, we investigated the results of bladder-preserving treatment in patients with T3b, T4a, and T4b transitional carcinoma of the bladder who underwent transurethral resection of bladder cancer and subsequent administration of chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of all patients who were diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent bladder-preserving treatment between January 2001 and August 2008, 78 patients with at least 12 months of follow-up data were enrolled in this study. All patients received gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (70 mg/m(2)) once per month postoperatively for a total of 6 months and completed a follow-up visit every 3 months. The patient survival rate and prognostic factors (age, tumor size, differentiation, number of lesions, stage, and presence of hydronephrosis) were assessed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival rate, and Cox multiple regression analysis was used for prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 68.32+/-8.6 years, the mean duration of follow-up was 54.70+/-32.8 months, and the median duration of follow-up was 49.0 months. The 5-year survival rate was 66.2%. Single lesions were found in 28 cases (35.9%), and multiple lesions were found in 50 cases (64.1%). Stage T3b lesions were identified in 56 cases (71.8%), stage T4a lesions were identified in 16 cases (20.5%), and stage T4b lesions were identified in 6 cases (7.7%). Tumor size was less than 4 cm in 4 cases (59.0%) and greater than 4 cm in 32 (41.0%). Hydronephrosis was present in 21 cases (26.9%). In the 5-year survival analysis, prognostic factors significantly influencing survival rate were T-stage of the tumor and absence of hydronephrosis and complete regression after treatment (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor stage and the absence of hydronephrosis were statistically significant prognostic indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with T3b, T4a, and T4b transitional carcinoma of the bladder, bladder preservation may prevent a decrease in quality of life. Also, our findings suggest that this approach could be considered a primary treatment option for patients with T3b stage tumors without evidence of hydronephrosis.

Organ-sparing strategies in the management of invasive bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the second most common genitourinary malignancy. Radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy is the standard of care in the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, recently, bladder-preservation trials conducted by both single- and multi-institutional groups have gained momentum because of comparable survival and recurrence rates in select patients. While single-modality therapies have failed to provide adequate results, multimodal combination therapies consisting of a thorough transurethral resection with radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy have been promising. Careful patient selection, maximum transurethral resection of bladder tumor, cystoscopic evaluation of response with prompt salvage cystectomy for nonresponders and strict long-term follow-up for complete responders constitute the hallmarks of optimal bladder-preservation protocols. Advances in molecular-targeted therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy hold promise to improve survival and local control and decrease side effects and toxicity.

Quality of life in elderly bladder cancer patients following cystectomy and urinary diversion

This review aims to provide information about quality of life in elderly patients who have undergone radical cystectomy and bladder replacement for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, focusing on the best instruments for evaluation. Among patients over 75 years of age, bladder cancer is the fifth leading cause of death. Radical cystectomy is the standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and it is also considered safe in the elderly population. Quality of life is an essential aspect following radical cystectomy and bladder replacement owing to its impact on patients’ satisfaction with body image and urinary, sexual and social functioning. Furthermore, the authors suggest that there are no significant differences between different methods of urinary diversion in the elderly.

The role of partial cystectomy in treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer

Muscle invasive bladder cancer is usually treated by radical cystectomy, but in some selected cases with solitary tumor with appropriate localization partial cystectomy can be the treatment of choice achieving long term results with bladder preservation. We reviewed records of 11 patients which were treated in 5 year period from June 2002 to June 2007. by partial cystectomy according to the size of the tumor, localization, histology, multifocality, pathological and clinical stage, sex, and age. Male:female ratio was 6:5, mean age of the patients being 64.9 years. All patients bur one had solitary lesions located in the bladder dome in 4, on lateral sides in 5,2 patients had a tumor in diverticulum. TCC gr II was diagnosed 6 pts, TCC gr III in 5. One patient died in a year from disease progression, one from other reason, while all other patients are alive and disease free, the longest disease free interval being 3 years. Bladder capacity is adequate in all patients resulting in good quality of life . Our results suggest that in selected patients cancer control can be achieved with partial cystectomy.

Bladder-sparing, combined-modality approach for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a multi-institutional, long-term experience

BACKGROUND

The authors evaluated their long-term experience with combined-modality, conservative treatment in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

METHODS

In total, 121 patients with T2, T3, or T4 bladder cancer (mean age, 63 years; ratio of men to women, 3:1) underwent induction by transurethral resection (TUR) of the tumor and received 2 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (RT) (n = 43 patients) or radiochemotherapy (RCT) (n = 78 patients). Six weeks after RT or RCT, responses were evaluated by restaging TUR. Patients who achieved a complete response (CR) were observed at regular intervals. In patients who had persistent or recurrent invasive tumor, further treatment was recommended.

RESULTS

Local response evaluation by restaging TUR was possible in 119 patients, and 102 of those patients (85.7%) achieved a CR. After a median follow-up of 66 months (range, 6-182 months), no local or distant disease recurrences were observed in 67 of 102 complete responders (65.7%), 17 of 102 complete responders (16.7%) experienced superficial local disease recurrence, and 18 of 102 complete responders (17.6%) had a muscle-invasive relapse. The 5-year tumor-specific, overall, and bladder-intact survival rates were 73.5%, 67.7%, and 51.2%, respectively. Treatment modality, tumor classification, and resection status after initial TUR had an impact on survival rates (P = .04, P = .02, and P = .02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicated that conservative combined treatment is a reasonable alternative to radical cystectomy in selected patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

The value of bladder-conserving strategies in muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma compared with radical surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer will practically all develop progression, often associated with severe side effects including pain, dysuria or macrohematuria. Recent reports demonstrate multimodality bladder-sparing approaches as primary treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Bladder-conserving strategies include thorough transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, external beam radiation therapy and chemotherapy. It has been shown that survival rates are similar to those of radical cystectomy series; additionally, a substantial number of patients survive with an intact bladder. The high costs, close cooperation between clinical specialists and a highly compliant patient need to be taken into consideration, however.

SUMMARY

Nowadays, the good long-term results after radical cystectomy with the creation of an orthotopic neobladder make the substantial advantage of a bladder-preserving strategy questionable when the patient's quality of life is addressed. Multimodality bladder-conserving strategies are a therapeutic option for selected patients; however, radical cystectomy remains the gold standard of treatment.

Organ Preservation for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer by Transurethral Resection

OBJECTIVES

To determine the feasibility of bladder preservation using transurethral resection for patients with muscle-invasive cancer and to determine the proportion of patients with muscle-invasive disease who would be eligible for this approach.

METHODS

A retrospective review demonstrated that 327 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer were treated in our institution from 1997 to 2002. Resection was repeated in all patients, and bladder preservation was offered to patients with no residual tumor, normal examination findings under anesthesia, and normal upper urinary tract findings. Patients were followed up by routine cystoscopy for a median of 2.45 years. The study endpoints included overall and disease-specific survival rates, the need for additional systemic chemotherapy, and cystectomy-free survival.

RESULTS

Of 327 patients, 35 (11%) were eligible for bladder preservation; 27 elected to pursue this approach and 8 opted for immediate cystectomy. Of the 27 patients, 15 experienced subsequent tumor recurrence, 8 of whom underwent radical cystectomy. Thus, the bladder was preserved in 19 (70%) of the 27 patients. Of the patients who underwent cystectomy, 5 also received chemotherapy. Five patients died, including three of unrelated diseases, one of metastatic cancer, and one of surgical complications. The overall and disease-specific survival rate was 81% and 93%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Bladder preservation using transurethral resection is feasible in selected patients. Only a small proportion of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, however, are candidates for this approach.

Results of bladder-conserving treatment, consisting of brachytherapy combined with limited surgery and external beam radiotherapy, for patients with solitary T1-T3 bladder tumors less than 5 cm in diameter

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term, local relapse-free, distant metastasis-free, and overall survival rates in patients with a solitary bladder tumor <5 cm in diameter who were treated with external beam radiotherapy, limited surgery, and brachytherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The results of 122 patients after bladder-saving treatment were analyzed. After EBRT, the patients underwent cystotomy, and catheters were implanted. Of the 122 patients, 99 were treated with a continuous low-dose-rate technique and 23 patients with a pulsed-dose-rate technique. The median follow-up period was 5 years.

RESULTS

The 5-year local and distant relapse-free survival rate was 76% and 83%, respectively. The 5 and 10-year relapse-free survival rate was 69% and 66%, respectively. For overall survival, the corresponding rates were 73% and 49%. Toxicity was low. No differences were found between the continuous low-dose-rate and pulsed-dose-rate groups.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study have shown that external beam radiotherapy followed by brachytherapy as a bladder-saving treatment for a selected group of patients with bladder cancer yields excellent local tumor control and low toxicity.

Bladder cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

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

RECENT FINDINGS

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

SUMMARY

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

Four Years Experience in Bladder Preserving Management for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the bladder preservation strategy in invasive bladder cancer particularly relapse, progression and complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to May 2004 a total of 24 patients (mean age of 81 years; range 68-92) with muscle invasive bladder cancer who had refused or were not eligible for cystectomy were followed up for a period of up to four years.

RESULTS

24 (21 M/3 F) patients were followed up for a mean time of 680 (182-1253) days. All patients complained of frequency, urgency and severe nocturia. The second most frequent complication was bleeding which required a salvage cystectomy in 7 cases. Other major complications were intestinal occlusion in three cases, an enterovesical fistula, brain metastasis requiring neurosurgical intervention and radiation therapy of the brain, bone metastasis in the cervical spinal column and chronic renal failure. The mean re-admission rate was 8 per patient and the mean time spent at the hospital was 109 (range 13-253) days.

CONCLUSION

In our series the bladder preserving strategy does not confirm the optimistic results of other authors. The complications forced us to carry out a salvage cystectomy in nearly half of the cases. The other half of the patients complained of other severe complications reducing the quality of life of the remaining life span.

Organ preservation in invasive bladder cancer: Brachytherapy, an alternative to cystectomy and combined modality treatment?

PURPOSE

To evaluate our long-term results of bladder preservation with brachytherapy in the treatment of bladder cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1987 and 2000, 108 patients with T1-G3 and T2-T3a stages of bladder cancer were treated with a transurethral resection (TUR) and a course of external beam radiotherapy (30 Gy in 15 fractions) followed by brachytherapy (40 Gy). All tumors were solitary lesions with a diameter < or =5 cm. Median follow-up was 54 months (range, 1-178 months).

RESULTS

The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 62% and 50%, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year disease-specific survival rates were 73% and 67%, respectively. The actuarial local control rate was 73% at 5 and 73% at 10 years, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year disease-specific survival rates for patients with a preserved bladder were 68% and 59%, respectively. Of all long-term surviving patients, 90% preserved their native bladders. The treatment was well tolerated. Acute toxicity was mild. Two patients experienced serious late toxicity: 1 patient developed a persisting vesicocutaneous fistula and the other a stricture of the urethra and ureters.

CONCLUSION

For patients with solitary, organ confined invasive bladder cancer < or =5 cm, bladder preservation with brachytherapy is an excellent alternative to radical cystectomy and combined modality treatment.

Prospective quality-of-life assessment in patients receiving concurrent gemcitabine and radiotherapy as a bladder preservation strategy

OBJECTIVES

To assess, in a Phase I study, whether bladder preservation with concurrent gemcitabine and radiotherapy (RT) influenced patient-reported quality of life (QOL) as determined by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder (FACT-BL).

METHODS

Between January 1998 and March 2002, 24 patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were enrolled, and 23 patients underwent transuretheral resection of bladder tumor, followed by twice-weekly gemcitabine with concurrent RT. The initial dose was 10 mg/m2 given twice weekly and increased as tolerated. To assess treatment-related QOL, patients completed the FACT-BL questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the 24 patients enrolled, 23 (96%) were assessed for toxicity and response. The FACT-generic (G) QOL assessment was obtained from 22 (92%) of 23 patients. No statistically significant difference was found in the FACT-G or FACT-BL or the combination before, during, or after treatment. The FACT-BL values were lower in patients who received higher doses of gemcitabine (greater than 20 mg/m2 versus 20 mg/m2 or less). At least one dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was experienced by 5 (23%) of 22 patients. The FACT-G values were lower for those patients who experienced DLT (difference of -13.1, P = 0.07). The physical well-being scores for patients who experienced DLT were lower after treatment (difference of -5.2, P = 0.03) compared with those without DLT.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent RT and gemcitabine failed to statistically influence patient-reported QOL, although patients who received higher doses reported lower FACT-BL scores. The results of this study suggest that concurrent gemcitabine with conformal RT is a tolerable treatment regimen for bladder preservation, as demonstrated by the excellent treatment compliance and similar FACT measurements.

Treatment of invasive bladder cancer: lessons from the past and perspective for the future

Radical cystectomy with lymphadenectomy is the gold standard for treatment of invasive bladder cancer. However, the treatment alone does not always provide a satisfactory result for the disease extending outside the bladder. In this review we discuss several clinical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of this invasive disease. Although the quality of diagnostic imaging modalities has improved, they are still not sensitive enough for the staging of the disease, especially for early invasive disease. In addition, lack of serum markers hinders appropriate monitoring of patients with the disease. Regarding the surgical aspect of lymphadenectomy, the area of its dissection, the standard number of nodes retrieved and the method of pathological examination should be established so that the clinical benefits of surgery can be more clearly defined. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive disease is promising for improvement of survival of patients. A chemotherapy regimen as effective as, but less toxic than, MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin) has been reported and several phase III clinical trials have been launched to determine the benefits of adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy with newly developed agents. However, we still lack a chemotherapy regimen more effective than MVAC, which is the most crucial issue in the treatment of this invasive disease. An alternative option for such disease may be bladder preservation with transurethral resection of tumor followed by chemoradiotherapy. However, patients who are indicated for this treatment may be limited to those with early invasive disease having certain favorable clinical and pathological features.

Overall clinical outcomes after nerve and seminal sparing radical cystectomy for the treatment of organ confined bladder cancer

PURPOSE

We assessed postoperative clinical outcomes such as day and nighttime urinary continence and overall sexual function in patients who underwent nerve and seminal sparing cystectomy with ileocapsuloplasty compared with patients after standard cystoprostatectomy with similar orthotopic urinary reservoir.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 27 patients (mean age 52 years, range 36 to 61) with superficial high risk or muscular invasive T2 bladder cancer underwent radical nerve and seminal sparing cystectomy with ileocapsule anastomosis. Postoperative clinical outcomes such as urinary continence, voiding patterns and urodynamic parameters were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months, while overall sexual function was determined at baseline and at 6 and 12-month followup.

RESULTS

Nerve and seminal sparing cystectomy provides better outcomes in terms of urinary and urodynamic parameters compared to standard cystoprostatectomy. Furthermore, fully normal postoperative erectile function and satisfactory overall sexual quality of life were documented at early and delayed followup in all patients. A retrograde ejaculation with reliable sperm retrieval from urine was also documented.

CONCLUSIONS

Although these findings need to be confirmed in a larger patient population, when respecting rigorous patient selection criteria and careful postoperative surveillance, nerve and seminal sparing cystectomy seems to offer satisfactory clinical and functional outcomes. From an oncological point of view, long-term followup is of paramount importance to confirm whether this surgical procedure can be proposed as a valid choice of treatment for young, fully potent and socially active patients with organ confined bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews recent advances in the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Bladder cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Recent research has attempted to improve the care of patients with this disease. Evidence suggests that bacillus Calmette-Guerin is the most effective intravesical therapy for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer and that maintenance therapy is superior to an induction course alone. In patients with muscle-invasive disease, nodal status and extent of lymphadenectomy have been shown to correlate with survival after radical cystectomy. The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of bladder cancer continues to evolve as well. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has recently demonstrated a survival benefit, and trials are ongoing to define the optimal regimen of chemotherapy for urothelial carcinoma.

SUMMARY

Improved understanding and advancements in the management of all stages of bladder cancer continue to improve the care of patients with this disease.

Surgical Management of Infiltrating Bladder Cancer in Elderly Patients

OBJECTIVES

To review the surgical therapeutic options in elderly patients with infiltrating bladder cancer.

METHODS

A review of the literature relevant to cystectomy and transurethral resection for infiltrating bladder cancer in elderly patients was conducted using Medline Services.

RESULTS

Thanks to progress in anaesthesia, intensive care and surgery, cystectomy now forms part of the classical treatments for bladder cancer in elderly patients, with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates. The recent series of cystectomies performed in patients over 75 years old report a mortality rate associated with the procedure of less than 4.5%. The global mortality rate in the same population ranges from 10 to 50%. These rates are now similar to those reported in the general population. The mean survival after cystectomy in patients over 75 years old is more than 2 years. Global survival at 5 years is between 37 and 68%. It is acknowledged by most authors that resection alone is associated with higher relapse and progression rates than cystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Cystectomy appears to be reasonable in elderly people who have a life expectancy of more than 2 years, provided that a rigorous pre-operative assessment and anaesthetic management are performed. Transurethral resection alone should be proposed only to patients with poor health status and/or very advanced age.

Bladder substitution

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion is the accepted standard of care for invasive bladder cancer, with orthotopic neobladders as the preferred method of bladder substitution in male and female patients. Last year's studies and reports on this subject are summarized and reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Today, most patients considered candidates for radical cystectomy, independent of sex, are potential candidates for orthotopic bladder substitution. It has been shown that orthotopic bladder replacement is well tolerated and feasible even in selected patients with locally advanced tumors with or without positive nodes. The complication rates for orthotopic bladder substitutes are similar to, or lower than, the morbidity rates after conduit formation or continent cutaneous diversion. It has been shown that an afferent tubular segment without any antireflux flap-valve-type implantation techniques protects the upper urinary tract adequately for more than a decade. The true impact of the chosen type of urinary diversion on distress symptoms, quality of life and patients' well-being among survivors of bladder cancer remains controversial and requires further clinical investigation.

SUMMARY

The excellent functional outcome and voiding pattern with orthotopic bladder substitution, even in the long-term, argues in favor of this technique as the preferred method for lower urinary tract reconstruction following radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer.