Pyrgidis N, Sokolakis I, Haltmair G, Hatzichristodoulou G. The short- and long-term effect of radical cystectomy in frail patients with bladder cancer.
Clin Genitourin Cancer 2023:S1558-7673(23)00063-0. [PMID:
37032231 DOI:
10.1016/j.clgc.2023.03.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Studies about perioperative complications and all-cause mortality in frail patients requiring radical cystectomy (RC) are scarce. We aimed to assess the short- and long-term effect of RC in frail patients with bladder cancer.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a retrospective, cohort study including patients who underwent open RC due to bladder cancer from November 2013 to June 2022. Patients were considered frail when they fulfilled one of the following criteria: i) age ≥ 75 years; ii) Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 9; iii) American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥ 4; or iv) Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥ 5. We evaluated all-cause mortality and complications in frail versus nonfrail patients. The effect of urinary diversion with ileal conduit versus ureterocutaneostomy in frail patients was also assessed via a Cox regression analysis.
RESULTS
Overall, 184 individuals underwent RC (95 frail and 89 nonfrail). A total of 130 patients (80%) presented at least one perioperative complication. This proportion was even higher among frail patients (86%). Similarly, severe perioperative complications were more common in frail patients based on the Clavien-Dindo classification (P = 0.044). Regarding disease progression and long-term complications, no statistically significant differences were observed between frail and nonfrail patients. The survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that the risk of death was increased in frail patients (log-rank test = 0.027). Based on the multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusting for major risk factors, urinary diversion with ureterocutaneostomy was significantly associated with increased mortality in frail patients compared to ileal conduit (Hazard Ratio: 3.5, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.3-9.4, P = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
RC is feasible in frail patients but is associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. Preoperative frailty screening should be implemented to counsel and carefully select patients eligible for RC.
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