Impact of Urethra-Preserving Surgery During Radical Cystectomy: An Optimal Urethral Management in the Robotic Era.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal indication and survival benefits of prophylactic urethrectomy (PU) during radical cystectomy remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of urethra-preserving surgery (UPS) on oncological outcome including its recurrence patterns, and to establish an optimal urethral management strategy with a novel UPS technique in the robotic era. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 281 male patients with bladder cancer who received radical cystectomy (RC) (115 with and 166 without PU) at our institutions between 2010 and 2023. Subsequently, perioperative and oncological outcomes were assessed between propensity score-matched cohorts. RESULTS: Urethral recurrence (UR) occurred in 5 patients (5/166, 3.0%), all of whom underwent open-RC. Three among those (1.8%) with concomitant metastasis were died of cancer. There were no statistically significant differences between the PU and UPS groups in urethral-recurrence free survival (urethral-RFS) (P = .14), local-RFS (P = .59) and overall survival (OS) (P = .84) in the entire cohort. However, the UPS group showed significantly worse urethral-RFS (P = .008), local-RFS (P = .005) and OS (P = .03) in patients with high-risk of UR. Analysis of recurrence patterns revealed that UPS in high-risk patients significantly increased local recurrence (25.8% vs. 5.0%, P = .02). Conversely, a novel robotic-UPS technique demonstrated significantly favorable perioperative outcomes, comparable local-RFS (P = .79) and OS (P = .16) without UR (0/134, 0%) when compared to robotic-PU. Robotic-UPS also exhibited significantly better local-RFS (P =.007) and OS (P < .001) than open-UPS. CONCLUSIONS: UR-related death was rare and PU did not show a survival benefit for the entire cohort. However, inappropriate UPS in patients at high-risk of UR may increase local recurrence which might be responsible for poor survival after UPS rather than disease progression derived from UR. The robotic-UPS has the potential to reduce unnecessary PU, urethral and local recurrence without compromising survival.

Urethral Recurrence After Cystectomy and Orthotopic Bladder Reconstruction: A Rare Case of Recurrent Bladder Cancer After 12 Years and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Radical cystectomy combined with orthotopic urinary diversion is a chosen approach for treating invasive bladder cancer. However, urothelial cell carcinoma is characterized by its potential for recurrence and the development of multiple tumors in the urinary tracts. In the natural progression of transitional cell carcinoma, the remaining ureteral stump is considered a predicted site for possible recurrence after radical cystectomy. Currently, there is no specific recommendation for the diagnosis and management of this condition. Objective: We report a rare case in a 74-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with anterior urethral carcinoma following a history of radical cystectomy and Hautmann ileal neobladder reconstruction. Additionally, we summarize some novel findings regarding risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in patients with recurrent bladder cancer in the urethra after radical cystectomy. Methods: A case report and mini review. Results: The patient was diagnosed with recurrent bladder cancer in the urethral after radical cystectomy using magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis, cystoscopy, and biopsy. Complete urethrectomy and creation of a permanent percutaneous urinary diversion were performed. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. The patient was discharged 3 days after the surgery. Conclusion: Urethral cancer following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer treatment is a rare condition. Risk factors for this occurrence include male gender, non-use of orthotopic neobladder reconstruction technique, invasive tumors in the prostatic urethra, and multifocal tumors. The treatment of these tumors can be determined based on the extent of invasion and histological characteristics, leading to the choice between radical urethrectomy or alternative conservative treatments.

Routine urethroscopic surveillance is of limited value after radical cystectomy: a single centre retrospective cohort analysis.

PURPOSE: The incidence of urethral recurrence (UR) following radical cystectomy (RC) for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder varies between 1.5 and 6%. There is debate over the timing of urethrectomy for patients undergoing RC. We evaluated the requirement for a formal surveillance programme for UR in patients after RC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent RC between 2006 and 2019. Females, non-TCC cases and patients with neo-bladder diversions were excluded. Histological prostatic urethral involvement at the time of RC was deemed high risk for UR. Carcinoma in-situ, multifocal tumours and bladder neck involvement were deemed intermediate risk and the absence of the above features was considered low risk. RESULTS: 417 patients underwent RC, 300 cases remained after exclusion criteria were applied. 42 patients were high-risk for UR, 102 patients were intermediate risk and 156 were low risk. Of the 300, 24 urethrectomy cases were recorded. Six cases of UR occurred. Of these, 5 presented with symptoms and only 1 case was detected by surveillance. Only 1 low-risk patient developed UR, 7 years post RC. Using our risk stratification, UR rates for high, intermediate and low-risk cohorts were 25%, 10.5% and 0.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, routine surveillance for all patients with annual urethroscopy was of limited value in detecting UR post RC. Staged Urethrectomy for high and intermediate-risk patients, and patient counselling in self-identification of recurrence symptoms for low-risk patients will improve the early detection of UR.

Urethrectomy at the time of radical cystectomy for non-metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: a collaborative multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal management of the urethra in patients planned for radical cystectomy (RC) remains unclear. We sought to evaluate the impact of urethrectomy on perioperative and oncological outcomes in patients treated with RC for non-metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the retrospective data from patients treated with RC for UCB of five European University Hospitals. Associations of urethrectomy with progression-free (PFS), cancer-free (CSS), and overall (OS) survivals were assessed in univariable and multivariable Cox regression models. We performed a subgroup analysis in patients at high risk for urethral recurrence (UR) (urethral invasion and/or bladder neck invasion and/or multifocality and/or prostatic urethra involvement). RESULTS: A total of 887 non-metastatic UCB patients were included. Among them, 146 patients underwent urethrectomy at the time of RC. Urethrectomy was performed more often in patients with urethral invasion, T3/4 tumor stage, CIS, positive frozen section analysis of the urethra, and those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, underwent robotic RC, and/or received an ileal conduit urinary diversion (all p < 0.001). Estimated blood loss and the postoperative complication rate were comparable between patients who received an urethrectomy and those who did not. Urethrectomy during RC was not associated with PFS (HR 0.83, p = 0.17), CSS (HR 0.93, p = 0.67), or OS (HR 1.08, p = 0.58). In the subgroup of 276 patients at high risk for UR, urethrectomy at the time of RC decreased the risk of progression (HR 0.58, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In our study, urethrectomy at the time of RC seems to benefit only patients at high risk for UR. Adequate risk assessment of UCB patients' history may allow for better clinical decision-making and patient counseling.

Follow-up of the Urethra and Management of Urethral Recurrence After Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review and Proposal of Management Algorithm by the European Association of Urology-Young Academic Urologists: Urothelial Carcinoma Working Group.

CONTEXT: Surveillance of the urethra and management of urethral recurrence (UR) after radical cystectomy (RC) is an area with poor evidence. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to summarize the available evidence and provide clinicians with practical recommendations on how to prevent and manage UR after RC for bladder cancer. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched during September 2021 for studies evaluating UR after RC. The primary endpoint was oncologic outcomes for patients who experienced UR depending on different surveillance and management approaches. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Forty-three studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. According to the currently available literature, a tight-knitted surveillance protocol should be implemented for males treated with RC and nonorthotopic neobladder diversion as well as patients with prostatic involvement, tumor multifocality, bladder neck involvement, and concomitant carcinoma in situ. A survival benefit of a prophylactic urethrectomy has been reported only in patients at very high risk for UR based on clinical factors. Surveillance protocols were highly heterogeneous and poorly documented among included studies. Patients whose UR was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms had a poor prognosis. Only limited data were available on the comparative effectiveness of watchful waiting after RC versus clinical symptom screening as part of a follow-up strategy. However, the use of regular cytology and/or urethroscopy seems useful in select patients at high risk for UR. Despite limited data on the optimal management of UR, urethra-sparing approaches (transurethral resection of UR) seem to be an option for Ta (only) recurrences; a salvage urethrectomy with or without chemotherapy should be the standard for all others. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the currently available literature, we have proposed an algorithm to guide the decision-making process to help identify and treat UR after RC. Given the lack of evidence on how to deal with UR and surveil patients at risk for UR, this study may invigorate research in this area of unmet need. PATIENT SUMMARY: Early diagnosis and tailored management of urethral recurrence could help improve oncologic outcomes in these patients.

Incidence, risk factors and outcomes of urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the incidence and risk factors of urethral recurrence (UR) as well as summarizing data on survival outcomes in patients with UR after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched in February 2021 for studies of patients with UR after RC. Incidence and risk factors of UR were the primary endpoints. The secondary endpoint was survival outcomes in patients who experienced UR. Twenty-one studies, comprising 9,435 patients, were included in the quantitative synthesis. Orthotopic neobladder (ONB) diversion was associated with a decreased probability of UR compared to non-ONB (pooled OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001) and male patients had a significantly higher risk of UR compared to female patients (pooled OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.83-5.47, P < 0.001). Among risk factors, prostatic urethral or prostatic stromal involvement (pooled HR: 5.44, 95% CI: 3.58-8.26, P < 0.001; pooled HR: 5.90, 95% CI: 1.82-19.17, P = 0.003, respectively) and tumor multifocality (pooled HR: 2.97, 95% CI: 2.05-4.29, P < 0.001) were associated with worse urethral recurrence-free survival. Neither tumor stage (P = 0.63) nor CIS (P = 0.72) were associated with worse urethral recurrence-free survival. Patients with UR had a 5-year CSS that varied from 47% to 63% and an OS - from 40% to 74%; UR did not appear to be related to worse survival outcomes. Male patients treated with non-ONB diversion as well as patients with prostatic involvement and tumor multifocality seem to be at the highest risk of UR after RC. Risk-adjusted standardized surveillance protocols should be developed into clinical practice after RC.

Urethral Recurrence of Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder Following Radical Cystectomy: An Unusual Imaging Pattern.

Residual urethra is a common site of recurrence in patients undergoing radical cystectomy with urinary diversion for bladder cancer. Urethral recurrence (UR) clinically manifests as a penile mass or a bloody or purulent penile discharge at a median of 13 months after surgery. And on imaging studies, it characteristically appears as a focal intraluminal mass, urethral wall thickening, or an infiltrating mass arising from the urethra. We, herein, present an unusual case of UR manifesting as a large cyst in the penile root 4 years after radical cystectomy with urinary diversion for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Further, a complex cystic mass developed in the same location 2 years after the excision of the cystic UR. This case shows that the imaging spectrum of UR after radical cystectomy may be wider and may include cystic and complex patterns.

Development and Validation of a Model for Predicting Urethral Recurrence in Male Patients with Muscular Invasive Bladder Cancer After Radical Cystectomy Combined with Urinary Diversion.

PURPOSE: Radical cystectomy (RC) is the primary treatment strategy for patients with muscular invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the prognosis is poor and tumor recurrence is not rare, in particular, urethral recurrence (UR) in male patients who underwent RC combined with urinary diversion. Here, we have developed and validated a model for predicting UR in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The development cohort comprised 310 patients who underwent RC combined with urinary diversion at our center between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2015. Clinicopathologic data of patients were comprehensively recorded. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression was used for building a predictive model with regression coefficients and backward stepwise selection applied by utilizing the likelihood ratio test with Akaike's information criterion as the stopping rule. An independent cohort consisting of 131 consecutive patients treated from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017 was used for validation. The performance of this predictive model was assessed with respect to discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. RESULTS: The predictors of this model included body mass index, history of transurethral resection of bladder tumor, tumor grade, tumor stage, and concomitant carcinoma in situ. In the validation cohort, the model showed good discrimination with a concordance index of 0.777 (95% CI, 0.618 to 0.937) and calibration. Decision curve analysis also demonstrated the clinical utility of the model. CONCLUSION: The predictive model facilitated postoperative individualized prediction of UR in male patients with MIBC after RC combined with urinary diversion and it may therefore serve to improve follow-up strategies.

Risk Factors for Urethral Recurrence in Men After Radical Cystectomy with Orthotopic Urinary Diversion for Urothelial Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors affecting urethral recurrence (UR) in men after radical cystectomy (RC) with ileal orthotopic neobladder (IONB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 348 men who underwent RC with IONB for bladder cancer between January 2010 and December 2017. Clinicopathologic characteristics, including tumor location (trigone and/or bladder neck), prostatic urethral and/or stromal involvement, presence of carcinoma in situ (CIS), pathologic T and N stage, and urethral resection margin status, were identified. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to illustrate urethral recurrence-free survival (URFS), and Cox proportional hazard models were applied to identify factors predicting UR. RESULTS: Of the 348 patients, UR was identified in 7 (2.0%) patients during the mean follow-up of 33.3 months. The 2-, 3-, and 5-year URFS rates were 97.6%, 96.3%, and 93.8%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, prostatic urethral involvement (P = 0.033, hazard ratio: 6.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-36.96) was an independent predictor of UR. When patients were divided according to prostatic urethral involvement (negative vs positive), the 2- and 3-year URFS rates were significantly different (93.8% and 96.8%, respectively, vs 92.0% and 92.0%, respectively; P = 0.020). All 7 patients with UR underwent transurethral surgery and maintained their IONB. CONCLUSION: In this series, UR occurred in approximately 2% of men after RC with IONB. Prostatic urethral involvement was the only significant prognostic factor for UR. Follow-up strategies considering UR risk should be adopted to facilitate early detection in those at high risk of UR.

Risk factors and oncological outcomes of urethral recurrence in male patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy combined with urinary diversion: a propensity score-matched case control study.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy (RC) is the primary treatment strategy for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, it carries a high risk of urethral recurrence (UR) in male patients. The risk factors and oncological outcomes of UR remain unclear. We aimed to identify the risk factors and oncological outcomes of UR in male patients with MIBC after RC combined with urinary diversion. METHODS: After propensity score matching, we evaluated 137 male patients with MIBC who underwent RC combined with urinary diversion at our center between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2015. Patient demographics, comorbidity, and perioperative data were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were measured using the Kaplan-Meier curve with log-rank test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 310 patients, 30 (9.7%) patients underwent UR. In the matched group, the independent risk factors of UR were history of TURB (HR = 3.069, P = 0.018), tumor stage (T3 vs. T2, HR = 3.997, P = 0.014; T4 vs. T2, HR = 2.962, P = 0.015), and tumor multifocality (HR = 2.854, P = 0.011). The CSS and OS of patients with UR were equivalent to the patients without UR (P = 0.295, P = 0.616). CONCLUSION: This propensity score-matched case-control study showed that UR is not rare in male patients with MIBC after RC combined with urinary diversion. We identified three independent risk factors of UR: history of TURB, tumor stage, and tumor mutifocality. The oncological outcomes were equivalent between patients with and without UR. These findings could help improve treatment strategies and follow-up schedules.

Treatment and outcomes of urethral recurrence after orthotopic neobladder replacement in patients with bladder cancer - practice in a single centre.

Objectives To report on the treatment of urethral recurrence after orthotopic urinary diversion at our institution. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical information of urethral recurrence in patients who underwent radical cystectomy and orthotopic urinary diversion between January 1998 and January 2013. Results Of 341 patients, 282 presented for follow-up (median follow-up: 56 months; range: 1-174 months). Eight patients developed local recurrence of urothelial cancer after radical cystectomy. The rate of urethral recurrence (1.4%) in female patients who underwent orthotopic urinary diversion was lower than in male patients (3.3%). The median (range) time to recurrence was 33 (6-120) months after radical cystectomy and orthotopic urinary diversion. Recurrences were treated by transurethral resection of tumour, urethrectomy, neobladder resection, revision of urinary diversion, adjuvant chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, based on individual circumstances. Survival analysis showed that 5-year cancer-specific survival was significantly higher in patients with urethral recurrence alone (83.3%), compared with patients with other recurrences, including pelvic/abdomen recurrence and distant metastasis (26.8%). Conclusions En bloc urethrectomy and revision of urinary diversion remain the principle surgical choices. Selection of transurethral tumour resection was based on tumour stage and was used in carefully chosen patients. Cancer-specific survival might depend on multidisciplinary therapy.

Urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Currently, identified factors for urethral recurrence (UR) are based on individual reporting which has displayed controversy. In addition, risk of UR is one of the limiting factors to offer neobladder diversion during radical cystectomy (RC). We aim to systematically evaluate the incidence and risk factors of UR post-RC and its effect on survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic online search was conducted according to PRISMA statement for publications reporting on UR after RC. From initial 802 results, 14 articles including 6169 patients were included finally after exclusion of ineligible studies. RESULTS: The incidence rate of UR was 4.4% (1.3%-13.7%). It was significantly lower with neobladder diversion (odds ratio = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.79, P = 0.006). Muscle invasion (hazard ratio = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.86-1.62, P = 0.31), carcinoma in situ (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% CI: 0.64-1.47, P = 0.88), prostatic stromal involvement (hazard ratio = 2.26, 95% CI: 0.01-627.75, P = 0.78), and prostatic urethral involvement (hazard ratio = 2.04, 95% CI: 0.20-20.80, P = 0.55) have no significant effect on UR. Men displayed tendency toward higher incidence of UR (odds ratio = 2.21, 95% CI: 0.96-5.06, P = 0.06). Absence of recurrence displayed tendency toward better disease specific survival, yet not significant (hazard ratio = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.66-1.08, P = 0.17). These results are limited by the retrospective nature of the included studies. CONCLUSION: Muscle invasion, carcinoma in situ and prostatic stromal or urethral involvement at time of RC have no significant effect on UR. Orthotopic neobladder is associated with a significant lower risk of UR after RC.

Effect of Urinary Cytology for Detecting Recurrence in Remnant Urothelium After Radical Cystectomy: Insights From a 10-year Cytology Database.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of urinary cytology (UCy) for detecting recurrence in the remnant urothelium (RRU) after radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a 10-year retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected, single-center RC database comprising 177 patients who had undergone follow-up examinations at our department with ≥ 1 available postoperative UCy specimen. UCy specimens were classified using the Papanicolaou scheme. RESULTS: In total, 957 cytology specimens were collected. Negative UCy results were noted in 927 (96.8%), atypical urothelial cells in 19 (2.0%), and suspicious/positive for malignancy in 11 (1.2%) cases. RRU was diagnosed in 16 patients (9.1%) during a mean follow-up period of 37 months (range, 1-118 months). The mean interval from RC to RRU was 34.7 months. Only 2 of 11 positive UCy specimens (18.2%) were falsely positive, for an overall sensitivity and specificity of 56.3% and 98.8% for predicting RRU, respectively. Urethral recurrence was diagnosed by UCy alone before the patients had developed symptoms in 8 of 12 cases (66.7%). Patients with clinical symptoms at the diagnosis of RRU had poorer cancer-specific survival rates than those of asymptomatic patients, although this trend was not statistically significant (P = .496). Moreover, positive UCy findings were associated with significantly lower overall survival (P < .001) and cancer-specific survival (P = .04) compared with negative UCy findings. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the predictive value of UCy in the surveillance of the remnant urothelium, with early detection of urethral recurrence before the development of clinical symptoms.

Urethral recurrence after cystectomy: current preventative measures, diagnosis and management.

To summarise the current literature on the diagnosis and management of urethral recurrence (UR) after radical cystectomy (RC), as UR after RC is rare but associated with high mortality. With the recently increased use of orthotopic bladder substitution and the questionable benefit of prophylactic urethrectomy, identification of patients at high risk of UR, management of the remnant urethra, and treatment of UR become critical questions. A review of the PubMed database from 1980 to 2014 was performed to identify studies evaluating recurrent urothelial cancer of the urethra after RC. The search terms used included 'urethral recurrence', 'cystectomy' or 'cystoprostatectomy'. Selected studies provided information on the type of urinary diversion performed, the incidence of UR, and the time to UR. Incidence of UR after RC ranges from 1% to 8% with most recurrences occurring within the first 2 years after surgery. Increased risk of UR is associated with involvement of the prostate, tumour multifocality, bladder neck involvement, and cutaneous diversion. The median overall survival after UR ranges from 6 to 54 months and the 5-year disease-specific survival after UR is reported to be between zero and 83%. UR remains a relatively rare event. Current literature suggests that urethral wash cytology may be useful in patients with intermediate- to high-risk of recurrence to enable early detection of non-invasive disease, which may be amenable to conservative therapy before urethrectomy.

Patterns, risks and outcomes of urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy for urothelial cancer; over 20 year single center experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors affecting urethral recurrence after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer and relationship between urinary diversion type and urethral recurrence rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our 504 radical cystectomy series, 287 male patients whose final pathological were urothelial carcinoma were included in the study. The relationship between urethral recurrence and pathological stage, grade, lymph node involvement and diversion type was researched in addition to risk factors for urethral recurrence. RESULTS: A Total of 287 patients. Orthotopic continent urinary diversion (OCD) and ileal conduit (IC) was performed after radical cystectomy in 141 (49.1%) and 146 (50.9%) patients respectively. Urethral recurrence was observed in 11 (3.8%) patients and urethral recurrence rates in OCD and IC groups were 1.4% and 6.2% (p=0.034). Pathological stages of recurrent patients were 2 pT1, 1 pT2 and 8 pT4 respectively (p<0.001). Urethral recurrence was significantly lower in OCD group when compared to IC group (p=0.036). When all parameters were analyzed using Cox multivariate regression analysis, the most important factor that affects urethral recurrence was pathological T stage (p<0.001). Risk factors for urethral recurrence were present in 92 patients. Urethral recurrence rates in patients with and without risk factors were 8.69% and 1.53% (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, pathological stage was found to be the most important factor affecting urethral recurrence and prostatic stromal invasion was an important prognostic factor in these cases. Although risk factors for urethral recurrence were similar in both groups, urethral recurrence rates were significantly lower in OCD group when compared to IC group.

Do Orthotopic Ileal Diversions Induce Immunological Changes in Retained Urethral Tissue?

BACKGROUND: A second primary tumors of the urethra (urethral recurrence) after radical cystectomy has been reported to be more infrequent in patients with ileal orthotopic (neobladder) compared to incontinent diversions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an altered immunogenic environment of urethral tissue is induced by urethro-ileal anastomosis. METHODS: Between 10/2008 and 12/2009 urethral biopsies of 19 patients (9 neobladder patients, 10 control patients without urethra-ileal anastomosis) were evaluated by conventional histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry for T- (CD3/CD5, CD4, CD8) and B-cell markers (CD20/22, CD79a, CD138). After semi-quantitative assessment, relative cell fractions (B vs. T cells) and subclasses (T4-helper vs. T8-killer cells vs. B cell clones, plasma cells) in neobladder vs. control patients were studied. Unpaired t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of 19 included patients, 16 were eligible for analysis (7x neobladder, 9x controls). All neobladder patients had undergone cystectomy for UBC. Comparing relative fractions of cells positive for T- and B-cell markers in NB and CO patients, no statistical differences were observed. In 4/7 neobladder patients relative fraction of CD79a positive B-cells was higher than relative fraction of CD3/CD5 positive T-cells (B/T-ratio 1.3). B cells were predominantly CD138 positive plasma cells (5/7 NB patients). Relative B-cell fraction was lower than T-cell fraction in 7/9 control patients (B/T-ratio 0.6). Neither CD 138 positive plasma cells nor CD22 positive B cell clones were predominant. T-helper and CD8 positive T-killer cells were equally distributed in both neobladder (CD4/CD8-ratio: 2.1) and control patients (CD4/CD8-ratio: 1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Comparing neobadder and control patients the distribution of B- and T-cells was statistically not different. However, a trend towards an increased presence of B-cells in urethral tissues of NB patients that could become relevant in a larger study might be suggestive for an immunological response induced by connecting urethral and ileal tissue.

Intraluminal urethral brachytherapy for recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder in urethral stump.

We report a unique case of successfully performed intraluminal brachytherapy for low volume urethral mucosal recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma urinary bladder, initially treated by transurethral resection of bladder tumor, followed by radical cystectomy. Since the patient was unwilling to undergo any other operational interventions, intraluminal brachytherapy of urethra was attempted. Fluroscopy guided intraluminal HDR brachytherapy using Lumencath(®) catheter under local anesthesia, and remote afterloading system (Nucletron, an Elekta company, Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) was performed. A fraction dose of 7 Gy in seven weekly fractions was prescribed at 0.5 cm from the single applicator. The result was promising in terms of local control and symptomatic relief. Therefore, intraluminal brachytherapy in low volume superficial local disease in urethra may play a potential role, and should be applied when repeated surgery is not feasible due to technical or medical reasons.

Urethral Recurrence of Bladder Tumor after Total Cystectomy / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Multifocal development of transitional cell carcinoma in the urinary tract is well recognized. We reviewed the urethral recurrence following cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and determined the factors influencing this recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1984 to December 1996, 97 patients underwent total cystectomy in our hospital and 59 men were able to be followed up for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The incidence of the urethral recurrence after cystectomy and its relationship to some factors including tumor stage, grade, number, shape, and location of the bladder cancer were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients, nine(15.3%) had secondary urethral cancer which was more common in high stage & grade, multiple, sessile tumors and that involved the trigone, bladder neck or prostate. CONCLUSIONS: A proper evaluation of patients at high risk for subsequent development of cancer in the urethra after cystectomy appears to be important to determine whether or not preserve the urethra and to avoid unnecessary urethrectomy during the total cystectomy.

A clinical study on the urethral recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder following cystectomy / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Of 80 male patients who underwent cystectomy. 21 cases received concurrent urethrectomy and 59 cases without urethrectomy. In 59 cases without urethrectomy, urethral recurrence was observed in 6 cases (10.2%). The average period from cystectomy to urethral recurrence was 26.8 months (4-77 months). Early stage A urethral cancer was found in 2 cases and stage B in 4 cases. Histological grade 1 cancer was found in 1 case. grade 2 in 3 cases. and 3 in 2 cases. The proximal end or the urethra was found to be the most frequent site of recurrence with 5 cases exhibiting recurrence at this location and 1 case at distal urethra. Multiplicity of bladder tumor from the trigone to the bladder neck tended to cause recurrence in the urethra. We also assessed for prostatic involvement as well as tumor extent in the bladder. Of the 13 patients with tumor in the prostate, 4 (30.3%) surfered from urethral recurrences. Of the 38 patients with all other types of tumor involvement patterns exclusive of disease in the prostate, only 2(5.3%) had recurrence. We recommend rigorous screening for transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate before and during cystectomy. Prophylactic urethrectomy is indicated for patients with prostatic involvement or in the case of multiple bladder tumor involving trigone and bladder neck.