RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Trimodal therapy (TMT) is a suitable alternative to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radical cystectomy (RC) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). In this study, we conducted a cost-effectiveness evaluation of RC±NAC vs. TMT for MIBC in the universal and publicly funded Canadian healthcare system. METHODS: We developed a Markov model with Monte-Carlo microsimulations. Rates and probabilities of transitioning within different health states (e.g., cure, locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, death) were input in the model after a scoped literature review. Two main scenarios were considered: 1) academic center; and 2) populational-level. Results were reported in life-years gained (LYG), quality-adjusted life years (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A sensitivity analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 20 000 patients were simulated. For the academic center model, TMT was associated with increased effectiveness (both in LYG and QALY) at a higher cost compared to RC±NAC at five and 10 years. This resulted in an ICER of $19 746/QALY per patient undergoing the TMT strategy at 10 years of followup. For the populational-level model, RC±NAC was associated with higher effectiveness at 10 years, with an ICER of $3319/QALY per patient. This study was limited by heterogeneity within the studies used to build the model. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TMT performed in academic centers was cost-effective compared to RC±NAC, with higher effectiveness at a higher cost. On the other hand, RC±NAC was considered cost-effective compared to TMT at the populational-level. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Radiation-based therapy (RT) has emerged as a suitable alternative to radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients. Routine biopsy after RT to rule out residual disease remains inconsistent across guidelines. Our objective was to review the significance of a bladder biopsy in terms of assessment of response post-RT and its potential impact on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study on patients with MIBC (cT2-4aN0-2M0) treated with curative intent RT. A total of 169 patients with primary urothelial carcinoma were analyzed. Patients' demographic, clinical and pathological variables, imaging, cystoscopy, urine cytology, and biopsy reports after RT were collected and compiled. Whenever urine cytology was positive or cystoscopy showed any malignant-appearing lesion, the first assessment post-RT was considered suspicious for residual disease. A descriptive population analysis was reported. Cox regression multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent variables associated with survival outcomes. RESULTS: Median age was 75 years (interquartile range 66-82) and clinical staging was cT2 in 152 (90%) patients. Cytology and cystoscopy were normal in 140 (83%) after RT. Of patients with a control biopsy, residual MIBC was present in 3 (5%) and non-MIBC in another 6 (11%). On the contrary, a for-cause biopsy due to a suspicious assessment post-RT did not yield residual cancer in 45% of patients. Multivariable analysis showed that age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04, P< 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (HR 1.68, P = 0.03) and a suspicious assessment after RT (HR 3.21; P< 0.001) were significantly associated with worse OS. This study was limited by its retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: A routine biopsy after RT may be warranted to assess treatment response. This might be particularly important for patients who may benefit from early surgical intervention for residual MIBC. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.