Utility of PSA density in patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions across a large multi-institutional collaborative.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate MRI detecting PI-RADs = 3 lesions has low diagnostic utility for prostate malignancy. Use of PSA density has been suggested to further risk-stratify these men, to potentially avoid biopsies in favor of monitoring. We evaluate the ability of PSA density (PSAd) to risk-stratify PIRADs 3 lesions across patients who underwent a prostate biopsy in a large multi-institutional collaborative. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pennsylvania Urology Regional Collaborative (PURC) is a voluntary quality improvement collaborative of 11 academic and community urology practices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients in the PURC database that had a prostate MRI with PI-RADs 3 lesions only. PSA just before the MRI and prostate size reported on MRI were used to calculate the PSA. Clinicopathologic data were evaluated. Univariable analysis using Chi-Square and Kruskal Wallis tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify predictors of any PCa, and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) was defined as ≥ Grade Group 2 (GG2.) RESULTS: Between May 2015 and March 2021, 349 patients with PIRADs 3 lesions only were identified and comprised the cohort of interest. Median PSA was 5.0 with a prostate volume of 58cc and a median PSA density of 0.11, 10.6% of the cohort was African American with 81.4% being Caucasian. Significant prostate cancer was detected in 70/349 (20.0%) men. Smaller prostate volume, abnormal DRE, and higher PSAd were significantly associated with clinically significant prostate cancer on univariable analysis. In men with PSAd <0.15, 31/228 (13.6%) harbored csPCa. Multivariable analysis confirmed that men with PSAd >0.15 were more likely to harbor clinically significant prostate cancer (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Across a large regional collaborative, patients with PIRADs 3 lesions on mpMRI were noted to have clinically significant cancer in 20% of biopsies. Using a PSA density cut-off of 0.15 may result in missing clinically significant prostate cancer in 13.6%. This information is useful for prebiopsy risk stratification and counseling.

Preventing Prostate Biopsy Complications: to Augment or to Swab?

OBJECTIVE: To use data from a large, prospectively- acquired regional collaborative database to compare the risk of infectious complications associated with three American Urologic Association- recommended antibiotic prophylaxis pathways, including culture-directed or augmented antibiotics, following prostate biopsy. METHODS: Data on prostate biopsies and outcomes were collected from the Pennsylvania Urologic Regional Collaborative, a regional quality collaborative working to improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Patients were categorized as receiving one of three prophylaxis pathways: culture-directed, augmented, or provider-discretion. Infectious complications included fever, urinary tract infections or sepsis within one month of biopsy. Odds ratios of infectious complication by pathway were determined, and univariate and multivariate analyses of patient and biopsy characteristics were performed. RESULTS: 11,940 biopsies were included, 120 of which resulted in infectious outcomes. Of the total biopsies, 3246 used "culture-directed", 1446 used "augmented" and 7207 used "provider-discretion" prophylaxis. Compared to provider-discretion, the culture-directed pathway had 84% less chance of any infectious outcome (OR= 0.159, 95% CI = [0.074, 0.344], P < 0.001). There was no difference in infectious complications between augmented and provider-discretion pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The culture-directed pathway for transrectal prostate biopsy resulted in significantly fewer infectious complications compared to other prophylaxis strategies. Tailoring antibiotics addresses antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reduces future risk of resistance. These findings make a strong case for incorporating culture-directed antibiotic prophylaxis into clinical practice guidelines to reduce infection following prostate biopsies.

Surveillance of postchemotherapy subcentimeter residual retroperitoneal mass in metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor: Does how you measure matter?

BACKGROUND: Approximately 70% to 80% of patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy achieve a complete response, defined as normalization of serum tumor markers and either no residual retroperitoneal mass (RRM) or an RRM <1.0 cm. While there is universal agreement that patients with an RRM ≥1.0 cm should undergo retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), many institutions including ours recommend surveillance for patients who achieve a complete response. However, studies have not defined which axis of the RRM should be considered when deciding between surveillance and RPLND. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Good-risk metastatic NSGCT patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy who achieved a complete response and underwent surveillance were identified using our institution's electronic medical records. A post-hoc review was performed by a blinded radiologist. The RRM dimensions in the transaxial short axis (TSA), transaxial long axis (TLA), and craniocaudal axis (CCA) were recorded. Differences in the frequency of recurrence between groups with an RRM <1.0 cm and ≥1.0 cm in the TLA and CCA were assessed using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients who met study criteria were included. At a median follow-up of 63.8 months, 2 patients (5.1%) recurred. Both were successfully treated with salvage chemotherapy and RPLND. Thirteen (33%) and 27 (69%) patients had an RRM ≥1.0 cm in the TLA and CCA, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the risk of recurrence between patients with an RRM <1.0 cm and ≥1.0 cm in the TLA (P = 0.54) or CCA (P = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance is an effective strategy in good-risk NSGCT patients with a postchemotherapy RRM <1.0 cm in the TSA. Our study suggests referencing the TSA and not the TLA or CCA may avoid unnecessary postchemotherapy RPLNDs.

Evaluation of Short-term Outcomes Following Overlapping Urologic Surgery at a Large Academic Medical Center.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of overlapping surgery on the risk of adverse outcomes in urologic surgery. METHODS: Coarsened exact matching was used to assess the impact of overlap on outcomes among urologic surgical interventions (n = 4853) over 2 years (2013-2015) at 1 health system. Overlap was categorized as any overlap, beginning overlap or end overlap. Study subjects were matched 1:1 on 11 clinically relevant variables. Serious unanticipated events were studied. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty-four patients had any overlap and were matched (n = 575, a 75.47% match rate). For beginning/end overlap, matched groups were created (n = 108/83 patients, match rate was 83.07/75.45%, respectively). Among matched patients, any overlap did not predict unanticipated return to surgery at 30 or 90 days. Any overlap predicted neither reoperation, readmission, or ER visits at 30 or 90 days. Overlap patients showed no difference in mortality during follow-up. Beginning/end overlap had a similar lack of association with serious unanticipated events. CONCLUSION: Nonconcurrent overlapping surgery is not associated with adverse outcomes in a large, matched urologic surgery population across 1 academic health system.

The LACE+ Index as a Predictor of 30-Day Patient Outcomes in a Urologic Surgery Population: A Coarsened Exact Match Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential of LACE+ scores, in patients undergoing urologic surgery, to predict short-term undesirable outcomes. METHODS: Coarsened exact matching was used to assess the predictive value of the LACE+ index among all urologic surgery cases over a 2-year period (2016-2018) at 1 health system (n = 9824). Study subjects were matched on characteristics not assessed by LACE+, including duration of surgery and race, among others. For comparison of outcomes, matched populations were compared by LACE+ quartile with Q4 as the referent group: Q4 vs Q1, Q4 vs Q2, Q4 vs Q3. RESULTS: Seven hundred and twenty-two patients were matched for Q1-Q4; 1120 patients were matched for Q2-Q4; 2550 patients were matched for Q3-Q4. Escalating LACE+ score significantly predicted increased readmission (2.86% vs 4.91% for Q2 vs Q4; P = .012) and Emergency Room (ER) visits at 30 days postop (5.69% vs 11.37% for Q1 vs Q4, 4.11% vs 11.45% for Q2 vs Q4, 8.29% vs 13.32% for Q3 vs Q4; P <.001 for all). Increasing LACE score did not predict reoperation within 30 days or rate of death over follow-up within 30 postoperative days. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the LACE+ index is suitable as a prediction model for important patient outcomes in a urologic surgery population including unanticipated readmission and ER evaluation.

Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Concordance of PD-L1 Staining Fidelity between the Primary Tumor and Lymph Node Metastases in Bladder Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) staining fidelity between the primary tumor and associated lymph node metastases in bladder cancer. To secondarily evaluate whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) affects this relationship. METHODS: Sixty-seven subjects with residual bladder cancer on cystectomy and associated positive lymph nodes were identified between 2008 and 2015. PD-L1 staining of tumor cells was evaluated using H score and 49 specimens were also evaluated using combined positive score (CPS). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to assess how various clinical variables affected odds of PD-L1 fidelity between primary and metastatic tumors. RESULTS: Tumor PD-L1 staining was concordant in 79.1% of cases and CPS was concordant in 79.6% of cases. NAC did not significantly impact odds of PD-L1 or CPS fidelity (OR 1.974, 95% CI 0.673-5.784, OR 0.500, 95% CI 0.093-2.700). Among clinical variables analyzed on univariable analysis of tumor PD-L1 fidelity, H-score, and PD-L1 staining intensity were associated with significantly increased odds of PD-L1 fidelity and the association with staining intensity was confirmed on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 fidelity between primary bladder tumors and nodal metastases was observed in >75% of cases in this study. Additionally, NAC was not shown to diminish this propensity to maintain PD-L1 staining status. Further standardization of immunohistochemistry of tumor and infiltrating imsmune cells in metastatic bladder cancer is needed to improve application of therapeutics.

Survival Benefit Persists With Delayed Initiation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy Following Radical Cystectomy for Locally Advanced Bladder Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if delaying the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy following radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer worsens overall survival. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Cancer Database from 2006 to 2013. We included treatment-naïve patients who underwent radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer found to have locally advanced disease (pT3-T4 and/or pN+). Patients received no chemotherapy or multiagent adjuvant chemotherapy between 30 and 180 days following surgery. We used a multivariable Cox Regression to assess for differences in overall survival according to when patients initiated adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: We identified 3590 patients: 2581 received no chemotherapy and 1009 received multiagent adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy began 31-60 days postsurgery in 538 patients, 61-90 days in 321 patients, and 91-180 days in 150 patients. Relative to patients who did not receive chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy decreased mortality when started 31-60 days (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.69; P <.001), 61-90 days (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.53-0.74; P <.001), and 91-180 days following radical cystectomy (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55-0.87; P = .002). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy offers a survival benefit when started up to 6 months after radical cystectomy in patients with high-risk disease who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients who require delayed initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy can still benefit from treatment.

Patient-Centered Preference Assessment to Improve Satisfaction With Care Among Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To study the effectiveness of the Patient Preferences for Prostate Cancer Care (PreProCare) intervention in improving the primary outcome of satisfaction with care and secondary outcomes of satisfaction with decision, decision regret, and treatment choice among patients with localized prostate cancer. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled study, we randomly assigned patients with localized prostate cancer to the PreProCare intervention or usual care. Outcomes were satisfaction with care, satisfaction with decision, decision regret, and treatment choice. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, and were analyzed using repeated measures. We compared treatment choice across intervention groups by prostate cancer risk categories. RESULTS: Between January 2014 and March 2015, 743 patients with localized prostate cancer were recruited and randomly assigned to receive PreProCare (n = 372) or usual care (n = 371). For the general satisfaction subscale, improvement at 24 months from baseline was significantly different between groups (P < .001). For the intervention group, mean scores at 24 months improved by 0.44 (SE, 0.06; P < .001) from baseline. This improvement was 0.5 standard deviation, which was clinically significant. The proportion reporting satisfaction with decision and no regret increased over time and was higher for the intervention group, compared with the usual care group at 24 months (P < .05). Among low-risk patients, a higher proportion of the intervention group was receiving active surveillance, compared with the usual care group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our patient-centered PreProCare intervention improved satisfaction with care, satisfaction with decision, reduced regrets, and aligned treatment choice with risk category. The majority of our participants had a high income, with implications for generalizability. Additional studies can evaluate the effectiveness of PreProCare as a mechanism for improving clinical and patient-reported outcomes in different settings.

PD-L1 Expression Reveals Significant Association With Squamous Differentiation in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Limited literature is available on the tumor microenvironment (TM) of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study comprehensively reviews programmed death 1 receptor (PD-1)-positive and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor epithelium (TE). METHODS: Seventy-two nephroureterectomy specimens were analyzed for PD-L1, PD-1, and CD8. One percent or more tumor and lymphohistiocyte PD-L1 expression was considered positive. TIL density by H&E was scored semiquantitatively from 0 to 3, and CD8+ and PD-1+ TILs were quantified in hotspots. RESULTS: Of the cases, 37.5% demonstrated PD-L1+ on TE. PD-L1+ TE showed an association with pathologic stage (P = .01), squamous differentiation (SqD) (P < .001), TILs by H&E (P = .02), PD-1+ peritumoral TILs (P = .01), and PD-L1+ peritumoral lymphohistiocytes (P = .002). Finally, there was a significant difference in PD-1+ peritumoral TILs in cases with SqD vs no SqD (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive UTUC is associated with a distinct TM. Furthermore, TM of UTUC-SqD was distinctly different from those with no SqD, warranting study in a larger cohort.

Impact of surgical waiting time on survival in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma: A national cancer database study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of surgical waiting time (SWT) on the survival outcome in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients with nonmetastatic UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) between 2004 and 2013 in the National Cancer Database. The association between SWT and overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression. SWT was categorized into 6 groups: SWT ≤ 7 days, SWT 8 to 30 days, SWT 31 to 60 days, SWT 61 to 90 days, SWT 91 to 120 days, and SWT 121 to 180 days. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for patient, tumor, and facility-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 3,581 patients were included in the final overall cohort and 2,397 (66.9%) patients had the higher-risk disease (high-grade or ≥pT2). Multivariable Cox regressions showed that patients in the groups of SWT 31 to 60 days, SWT 61 to 90 days, and SWT 91 to 120 days had similar OS compared with patients who had SWT of 8 to 30 days in the overall cohort and higher-risk cohort. Patients with SWT 121 to 180 days had worse OS (HR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.19-2.19, P = 0.002 in the overall cohort; HR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11-2.20, P = 0.010 in the higher-risk cohort). CONCLUSIONS: Increased SWT from diagnosis to RNU appears to be not associated with worse OS within 120 days after the diagnosis of UTUC but SWT>120 days may be associated with worsened survival. These findings might have important implications for trial design in the evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for UTUC and future clinical practice.

Characteristics and Associated Factors of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to summarize the characteristics and identify associated factors of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database (2005-2014) was used to identify patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer. PPCs were defined as pneumonia, unplanned reintubation, and ventilator support > 48 hours within 30 days of RC. Incidence, timing, and outcomes of PPCs were described and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associated factors of PPCs. RESULTS: Among 3790 patients included, 213 (5.6%) had at least 1 PPC. Patients with PPCs had a significantly higher 30-day mortality (17.4% vs. 0.7%; P < .001) and longer hospital stay (13 vs. 8 days; P < .001). Logistic regression showed that age ≥ 75 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; P = .001), body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2 (OR, 2.48; P = .017), body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR, 1.71; P = .009), dependent functional status (OR, 2.77; P = .006), current smoker (OR, 1.57; P = .011), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.70; P = .018), insulin-treated diabetes (OR, 1.70; P = .042), and albumin < 3.5 g/dL (OR, 1.72; P = .015) were associated with increased risk of overall PPCs. CONCLUSION: Approximately 5.6% of patients have at least one PPC within 30 days of RC. Several preoperative associated factors for PPCs were identified, which should be helpful for risk stratification, patient counseling, and perioperative care.

Near-infrared Intraoperative Molecular Imaging Can Identify Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a novel method to perform indocyanine green (ICG) based near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging during pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) for prostate cancer patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prostate cancer cell line PC3 was used to establish xenograft model in NOD/SCID mice. After tumor growth, the mice were injected with ICG through the tail vein. Xenografts and surrounding tissues were imaged with NIR camera 24 hours after intravenous ICG, and tumor-to-background ratios were calculated. We then performed a pilot human study to evaluate the role of NIR imaging in robotic PLND after systemic ICG in 4 patients with prostate cancer and preoperative lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: ICG localized to PC3 xenografts in the mice and all xenografts were highly fluorescent compared with surrounding tissues, with a median tumor-to-background ratio of 2.85 (interquartile range = 2.64-3.90). In the human study, intraoperative in vivo NIR imaging identified 3 of the 4 preoperative lymphadenopathies as fluorescence-positive, and back table ex vivo NIR imaging identified all 4 lymphadenopathies as fluorescence-positive. All the lymphadenopathies were found to be LNMs by pathologic examination. Two of the four cases had additional LNMs, all of which were fluorescence-positive with intraoperative in vivo NIR imaging. CONCLUSION: Intravenously administered ICG accumulates in prostate cancers in both a murine model and human patients. NIR fluorescence based on intravenous ICG may serve as a useful tool to facilitate the identification of positive nodes during PLND in patients with higher risk of LNMs.

Preoperative Anemia and Low Hemoglobin Level Are Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Bladder Cancer Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative anemia status and hemoglobin level on clinical outcomes in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of literature with meta-analyses of predefined outcomes based on a search of PubMed and EMBASE was performed. Hazard ratios (HRs) measuring the association between preoperative anemia/hemoglobin and all-cause mortality, cancer-specific mortality, and disease recurrence were calculated with random effects model. Study heterogeneities were quantified by I2 tests. Publication bias was assessed with funnel plots. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies evaluating the impact of preoperative anemia status (categorical, 11 studies) and hemoglobin level (continuous, 7 studies) on clinical outcomes were included. The cutoff value of anemia varied among studies (10.5-13.5 g/dL for male, 10.5-13.4 g/dL for female). Meta-analyses showed that compared with non-anemia, anemia was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR, 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-2.05; P < .00001; I2 = 30%), cancer-specific mortality (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.45-2.25; P < .00001; I2 = 26%), and disease recurrence (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.16-1.62; P = .0002; I2 = 9%). Meta-analyses showed that higher level of hemoglobin was associated with decreased all-cause mortality (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.92; P < .00001; I2 = 13%), cancer-specific mortality (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85-0.95; P = .0003; I2 = 61%), and disease recurrence (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-0.99; P = .01; I2 = 53%). No obvious publication bias was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anemia and low hemoglobin level are associated with earlier recurrence and shorter survival of patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy. However, well-designed prospective studies with large sample size and limited confounding factors are needed to confirm and update our findings.

Re-examination of the natural history of high-grade T1 bladder cancer using a large contemporary cohort.

INTRODUCTION: High-grade T1 (HGT1) bladder cancer represents a clinical challenge in that the urologist must balance the risk of disease progression against the morbidity and potential mortality of early radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Using two non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) databases, we re-examined the rate of progression of HG T1 bladder cancer in our bladder cancer populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the NMIBC databases that have been established independently at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center (AVAMC) and the University of Pennsylvania to identify patients initially diagnosed with HGT1 bladder cancer. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables were examined as well as rates of recurrence and progression. RESULTS: A total of 222 patients were identified; 198 (89.1%) and 199 (89.6%) of whom were male and non-African American, respectively. Mean patient age was 66.5 years. 191 (86.0%) of the patients presented with isolated HG T1 disease while 31 (14.0%) patients presented with HGT1 disease and CIS. Induction BCG was utilized in 175 (78.8%) patients. Recurrence occurred in 112 (50.5%) patients with progression occurring in only 19 (8.6%) patients. At a mean follow-up of 51 months, overall survival was 76.6%. Fifty two patients died, of whom only 13 (25%) patient deaths were bladder cancer related. CONCLUSIONS: In our large cohort of patients, we found that the risk of progression at approximately four years was only 8.6%. While limited by its retrospective nature, this study could potentially serve as a starting point in re-examining the treatment algorithm for patients with HG T1 bladder cancer.

Re-examination of the Natural History of High-grade T1 Bladder Cancer using a Large Contemporary Cohort

IntroductionHigh-grade T1 (HGT1) bladder cancer represents a clinical challenge in that the urologist must balance the risk of disease progression against the morbidity and potential mortality of early radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Using two non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) databases, we re-examined the rate of progression of HG T1 bladder cancer in our bladder cancer populations.Materials and MethodsWe queried the NMIBC databases that have been established independently at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center (AVAMC) and the University of Pennsylvania to identify patients initially diagnosed with HGT1 bladder cancer. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables were examined as well as rates of recurrence and progression.ResultsA total of 222 patients were identified; 198 (89.1%) and 199 (89.6%) of whom were male and non-African American, respectively. Mean patient age was 66.5 years. 191 (86.0%) of the patients presented with isolated HG T1 disease while 31 (14.0%) patients presented with HGT1 disease and CIS. Induction BCG was utilized in 175 (78.8%) patients. Recurrence occurred in 112 (50.5%) patients with progression occurring in only 19 (8.6%) patients. At a mean follow-up of 51 months, overall survival was 76.6%. Fifty two patients died, of whom only 13 (25%) patient deaths were bladder cancer related.ConclusionsIn our large cohort of patients, we found that the risk of progression at approximately four years was only 8.6%. While limited by its retrospective nature, this study could potentially serve as a starting point in re-examining the treatment algorithm for patients with HG T1 bladder cancer.