Risk groups in bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To stratify patients with bladder cancer into homogeneous risk groups according to statistically significant differences found in PFS (progression-free survival). To identify those patients at increased risk of progression and to provide oncological follow-up according to patient risk group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 563 patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC). In order to determine which factors might predict bladder tumour progression and death, uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. The risk groups were identified according to "inter-category" differences found in PFS and lack of differences, thus revealing intra-category homogeneity. RESULTS: Median follow up time was 37.8 months. Recurrence occurred in a total of 219 patients (38, 9 %). In 63 % of cases this was distant recurrence. Only two variables retained independent prognostic value in the multivariate analysis for PFS: pathological organ confinement and lymph node involvement. By combining these two variables, we created a new ″risk group ″ variable. In this second model it was found that the new variable behaved as an independent predictor associated with PFS. Four risk groups were identified: very low, low, intermediate and high risk: • Very low risk: pT0 N0 • Low risk: pTa, pTis, pT1, pT2 and pN0 • Intermediate risk: pT3 and pN0 • High risk: pT4 N0 or pN1-3. CONCLUSIONS: We retrospectively identified 4 risk groups with an independent prognostic value for progression-free survival following RC. Differences in recurrence patterns after RC between risk groups have led us to set different intervals in monitoring for cancer.

Risk groups in bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy

Objective To stratify patients with bladder cancer into homogeneous risk groups according to statistically significant differences found in PFS (progression-free survival). To identify those patients at increased risk of progression and to provide oncological follow-up according to patient risk group. Materials and Methods A retrospective study of 563 patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC). In order to determine which factors might predict bladder tumour progression and death, uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. The risk groups were identified according to “inter-category” differences found in PFS and lack of differences, thus revealing intra-category homogeneity. Results Median follow up time was 37.8 months. Recurrence occurred in a total of 219 patients (38, 9%). In 63% of cases this was distant recurrence. Only two variables retained independent prognostic value in the multivariate analysis for PFS: pathological organ confinement and lymph node involvement. By combining these two variables, we created a new “risk group” variable. In this second model it was found that the new variable behaved as an independent predictor associated with PFS. Four risk groups were identified: very low, low, intermediate and high risk: • Very low risk: pT0 N0 • Low risk: pTa, pTis, pT1, pT2 and pN0 • Intermediate risk: pT3 and pN0 • High risk: pT4 N0 or pN1-3. Conclusions We retrospectively identified 4 risk groups with an independent prognostic value for progression-free survival following RC. Differences in recurrence patterns after RC between risk groups have led us to set different intervals in monitoring for cancer. .

Atypical small acinar proliferation: review of a series of 64 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the evolution of 64 patients initially diagnosed with ASAP (atypical small acinar proliferation). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1998 and the end of 2003, 64 patients were diagnosed at our centre with ASAP. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients assessed was 69 years (SD 6.4 years), the median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 7.1 ng/ml (range 2-39 ng/ml) and 25% of the patients had a suspicious rectal examination. These 64 patients were subjected to re-biopsy. At re-biopsy, we diagnosed 27 patients (42%) with prostate adenocarcinoma. We classified patients into two groups depending on whether they did (n=27) or did not (n=37) have tumours. There were no significant differences in median PSA level between the two groups. The rectal examination was suspicious in 14% of patients without tumours and in 39% with tumours. Radical prostatectomy was applied to 20/28 patients (71%) diagnosed with prostate cancer. In these 20 patients, the median tumour volume was 0.4 cm3 (range 0.1-3.2 cm3) and 44% of the tumours were significant. The 37 patients with an unsuspicious histology were subjected to follow-up for a median of 12 months (range 1-30 months). The median PSA level in these patients was 5.7 ng/ml (range 0.8-28 ng/ml). A third biopsy was performed in three of these patients in view of an elevated PSA level, and one result was positive. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, a pathological result of ASAP is associated with a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer in 42% of cases. Moreover, a significant cancer was found in 44% of patients subjected to radical prostatectomy. We therefore systematically perform repeat biopsies on all patients with a histological result of ASAP.