Biopsies of the normal-appearing urothelium in primary bladder cancer

Telocytes and ezrin expression in normal-appearing tissues adjacent to urothelial bladder carcinoma as predictors of invasiveness and recurrence

Recurrence and progression rates vary widely among different histological subtypes of bladder cancer (BC). Normal-appearing mucosa in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and muscle-invasive bladder cancer in cystoscopy and histopathology is a factor in staging and treatment. Telocytes (TCs) are spindle-shaped cells that connect with other cell types allowing communication though cytoskeletal signaling. They are involved in tissue regeneration and pathogenesis of diseases and cancer. In this study, 12 normal-appearing tissues from urinary bladder with BC, both invasive and non-invasive were evaluated in patients who had either trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor or cystectomy. In each case, cystoscopy, intraoperative inspection, and histopathology all confirmed the absence of cancerous elements. Five patients with neurogenic bladder were used as a control group. Immunohistochemistry revealed that c-Kit + cells were intensively distributed in bladder layers from BC samples, while they were seldom detected in the control group. Ultrastructural examination of reprocessed tissue showed an intense distribution of TCs and telopodes in the submucosa and between smooth muscle cells in BC. Telopodes were numerous, arborizing, and intercommunicating. Whereas TCs and telopodes were scarce in the neurogenic bladder. Also, cancerous tissue had the highest expression level of ezrin protein, and this level gradually decreased as we moved away from the tumor. Our finding of TCs number in normal-appearing tissues in conjunction with ezrin expression may compete invasiveness and possibly a trail to reduce recurrence rates.

Clinical usefulness of random biopsies in diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

This systematic review of the literature has been focused on determining the clinical usefulness of random bladder biopsies (RB) in the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ. A meta-analysis was performed to establish the clinic and pathological factors associated to positive biopsies.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review was performed using Pubmed/Medline database according to the PRISMA guidelines. Thirty-seven articles were included, recruiting a total of 12,657 patients, 10,975 were submitted to RB.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The overall incidence of positive RB was 21.91%. Significant differences were found in the incidence of positive RB when patients were stratified according to urine cytology result, tumor multiplicity, tumor appearance, stage and grade. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that the presence of positive cytology, tumor multiplicity, non-papillary appearance tumors, stage T1 and histological grades G2 and G3 represent the risk factors to predict abnormalities in RB.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of positive RB in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer was 21.91%. The maximum usefulness of RB was observed when these are performed in a standardized way. The results of the meta-analysis showed that besides positive cytology and non-papillary appearance tumors, tumor multiplicity and histological grades G2 and G3 represent risk factors associated to positive RB, suggesting that the use of RB might be extensive to the intermediate risk group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

The value of extensive transurethral resection in the diagnosis and treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer with respect to recurrence at the first follow-up cystoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of extensive transurethral resection (TUR) in the diagnosis and treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and its further impact on the recurrence rate at the first follow-up cystoscopy (RR-FFC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of consecutive series of 523 patients with NMIBCs who underwent TUR from June 2009 to July 2015 at the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University was conducted. Extensive TURs were performed by taking additional tumor base and marginal specimens for 317 patients (group 1). Extensive TURs were not done in the other 206 patients (group 2). Urine cytology and follow-up cystoscopy were performed at 3 months after the initial TUR. The positive findings of additional specimens were noted and it was found whether or not the diagnosis and treatment plan had changed in group 1. Also, a comparison was made of the RR-FFC between group 1 and 2.

RESULTS

There were 51/317 (16.1%) patients whose additional specimens revealed pathological findings such as Ta, T1, and carcinoma in situ diseases. Of these positive findings, 6/51 (11.8%) were Ta stage, 16/51 (31.4%) were T1 stage, 18/51 (35.3%) were T2 stage, and 11/51 (21.5%) were carcinoma in situ. Due to the positive findings, 29/317 (9.1%) patients had their final diagnosis changed and 45/317 (14.2%) had their post-TUR treatment plans adjusted. The RR-FFC of group 1 and 2 were 4.7% (14/297) and 13.1% (27/206), respectively (P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Routine extensive TUR is helpful for the pathological diagnosis and the post-TUR treatment of NMIBC. Furthermore, it can significantly reduce the RR-FFC of NMIBC, especially in patients with T1 stage or high-grade disease.

New imaging techniques for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: ready for primetime

Treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMBIC) requires direct visual appreciation of the tumor. Transurethral resection that is dependent solely on white light cystoscopy (WLC) often fails to accurately stage or completely resect NMIBC. These deficiencies of WLC are significant contributors to the high rates of recurrence and eventual progression to muscle invasive disease. This article looks at technologies that are being used in adjunct to WLC to augment the urologist's ability to identify, stage, and treat NMIBC.

The enlightenment of bladder cancer treatment: origin and progress of photodynamic diagnosis

Compared with prostate cancer, which exclusively affects male patients, urothelial bladder cancer is the most common urogenital carcinoma affecting both men and women. In approximately 75% of cases, bladder cancer occurs as multifocal nonmuscle-invasive papillary tumor that demonstrates high rates of recurrence, leading to frequent transurethral resections with the need of hospitalization. These cases have paved the way for photodynamic diagnosis. Since the 1990s, this technique has been used to identify bladder tumors, especially highly aggressive carcinoma in situ, in an easier and more complete way compared with conventional white-light cystoscopy. This article gives an up-to-date review of the method, indication and results of photodynamic diagnosis for treatment of urothelial bladder cancer.