Racial disparities in stage at bladder cancer diagnosis in the US Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patient characteristics and pathological stage at bladder cancer (BCa) diagnosis in a diverse population within a national, equal-access healthcare system. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study identified 15 966 men diagnosed with BCa in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system from 2000 to 2020. The primary outcome was pathological stage at diagnosis, determined by index transurethral resection of bladder tumour. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between race and stage. Competing risk models tested the association between race and BCa-specific mortality with cumulative incidence estimates. RESULTS: Of 15 966 BCa patients, 12 868 (81%), 1726 (11%), 493 (3%) and 879 (6%) were White, Black, Hispanic and Other race, respectively. Black patients had significantly higher muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) rates than White patients (35% vs 32%; P = 0.009). In multivariable analysis, the odds of presenting with MIBC did not differ significantly between Black and White patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-1.22) or between Hispanic patients (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67-1.01) and White patients. Compared to White patients, Black patients had a similar risk of BCa-specific mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.75-1.06), whereas Hispanic patients had a lower risk (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients presented with the highest rates of de novo MIBC. However, in a large, equal-access healthcare system, this did not result in a difference in BCa-specific mortality. In contrast, Hispanic patients had lower risks of MIBC and BCa-specific mortality.

Association of Age with Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: Unearthing a Biological Basis for Epidemiological Disparities?

BACKGROUND: Age disparity in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) exists. Whether this is due to differences in adequate cancer care or tumour biology is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate age disparities in NMIBC using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare and UROMOL datasets. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The SEER-Medicare data were used to identify patients with clinical stage Ta, Tis, and T1 NMIBC between 2005 and 2017 (n = 32 225). Using the UROMOL cohort (n = 834), age disparities across transcriptomic, genomic, and spatial proteomic domains were assessed. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: For the SEER-Medicare data, multivariable competing-risk regression was used to examine the association between age and recurrence, progression, and bladder cancer-specific mortality (BCSM). For the UROMOL cohort, multivariable general linear model and multinomial logistic regression were performed to evaluate the association between age and tumour biology. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: An analysis of the SEER-Medicare cohort revealed 5-yr recurrence rates of 55.2%, 57.4%, and 58.9%; 5-yr progression rates of 25.6%, 29.2%, and 36.9%; and 5-yr BCSM rates of 3.9%, 5.8%, and 11.8% in patients aged 66-70, 71-80, and ≥81 yr, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, age ≥81 yr was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.12; p = 0.001), progression (HR 1.32, p < 0.001), and BCSM (HR 2.58, p < 0.001). UROMOL2021 transcriptomic class 2a was most frequently observed in patients with advanced age (34.0% in ≥76 yr vs 21.6% in ≤65 yr; p = 0.004), a finding confirmed on multivariable analysis (risk ratio [RR] 3.86, p = 0.002). UROMOL2021 genomic class 3 was observed more frequently in patients aged ≥76 yr (4.9% vs 24.2%; p = 0.001). Limitations include the definitions used for recurrence and progression, which may lead to under- or overestimation of true rates. CONCLUSIONS: Among SEER-Medicare patients with NMIBC, advanced age is associated with inferior oncological outcomes. These results reflect age-related molecular biological differences observed across transcriptomic and genomic domains, providing further evidence that innate tumour biology contributes to observed disparities in NMIBC outcomes. PATIENT SUMMARY: Older patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer have worse oncological outcomes than younger patients. Some of this age disparity may be due to differences in tumour biology.

Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Patients Diagnosed With Nonmetastatic Plasmacytoid Variant of Bladder Cancer: A 20-Year University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Experience.

PURPOSE: The treated natural history of nonmetastatic plasmacytoid variant of bladder cancer (PV-BCa) is poorly understood owing to its rarity. We sought to examine the disease recurrence and metastasis patterns in this select group of patients in order to identify opportunities for intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a natural language processing algorithm-augmented retrospective chart review of 56 consecutive patients who were treated with curative intent for nonmetastatic PV-BCa at our institution between 1998 and 2018. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression methods were used for survival analyses. RESULTS: The stage at presentation was: ≤ cT2N0 in 22 (39.3%), cT3N0 in 15 (26.8%), cT4N0 in 13 (23.2%), and ≥ cN1 in 6 patients (10.7%). Forty-nine patients (87.5%) received chemotherapy, and 42 (75%) were able to undergo the planned surgery. Notably, only 4 patients (7.2%) had pT0 stage, while 22 (52.4%) had pN+ disease at the time of surgery. At 36-month follow-up, 28.4% of patients (95% CI: 22.1%-34.5%) were alive and 22.2% (95% CI: 16.1%-28.5%) were free of metastatic disease. The benefit of surgical extirpation was stage specific: successful completion of surgery was associated with improved metastasis-free survival (at 36 months 32.4% vs 0%, log-rank P < .001) in patients with localized or locally advanced disease (≤cT2N0/cT3N0); however, in patients with regionally advanced disease (cT4N0/≥cN1), consolidative surgery following chemotherapy was not associated with improved metastasis-free survival (12.5% vs 10% at 36 months, log-rank P = .49). The median time to metastasis from primary treatment end was 6.5 months (IQR: 2.9-14.7). The predominant site of recurrence/metastasis was the peritoneum (76.1%), either in isolation or along with extraperitoneal lesions. Salvage immunotherapy in these patients significantly reduced the risk of death (HR = 0.11, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: PV-BCa is a disease with high lethality. Despite multimodal treatment, a vast majority of patients develop atypical intraperitoneal metastasis soon after therapy and rapidly succumb to it. Clinical trials evaluating utility of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy may be warranted in this high-risk population.

Utility of Patient-Reported Symptom and Functional Outcomes to Indicate Recovery after First 90 Days of Radical Cystectomy: A Longitudinal Study.

This is a longitudinal prospective study that tracked multiple symptom burden and functioning status for bladder cancer (BLC) patients for 3 months post-radical cystectomy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, using a validated disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) tool, the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (the MDASI-PeriOp-BLC). The feasibility of collecting an objective measure for physical functioning, using "Timed Up & Go test" (TUGT) and PRO scores at baseline, discharge and end of study, was tested. Patients (n = 52) received care under an ERAS pathway. The more severe scores of fatigue, sleep disturbance, distress, drowsiness, frequent urination and urinary urgency at baseline predicted poor functional recovery postoperatively (OR = 1.661, 1.039-2.655, p = 0.034); other more severe symptoms at discharge (pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, drowsiness, bloating/abdominal tightness) predicted poor functional recovery (OR = 1.697, 1.114-2.584, p = 0.014) postoperatively. Compliance rates at preoperative, discharge and end of study were 100%, 79% and 77%, while TUGT completion rates were 88%, 54% and 13%, respectively. This prospective study found that more severe symptom burden at baseline and discharge is associated with poor functional recovery post-radical cystectomy for BLC. The collection of PROs is more feasible than using performance measures (TUGT) of function following radical cystectomy.

Pelvic Organ Preservation in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: Less Is More.

Radical cystectomy (RC) is a treatment option for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) but is associated with high morbidity and a negative impact on quality of life. Reproductive or pelvic organ-sparing cystectomy (ROSC) techniques have emerged as a potential strategy to mitigate some potential effects of standard RC. Here we discuss current knowledge regarding oncological, functional, and sexual function outcomes associated with ROSC and their applicability in NMIBC. These outcomes can be used to make informed clinical decisions regarding cystectomy technique in appropriately staged and selected patients with NMIBC. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed results for bladder cancer control, urinary function, and sexual function after removal of the bladder with and without techniques to spare reproductive or pelvic organs. We found evidence of better sexual function outcomes with a sparing approach without compromise of cancer control. Further studies are needed to assess urinary function and pelvic floor-related outcomes.

Repeat Transurethral Resection of Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Prior to Radical Cystectomy is Prognostic but Not Therapeutic.

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the impact of repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor prior to radical cystectomy on oncologic outcomes in a contemporary cohort at a tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Institutional Review Board approved review of 657 patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy at our institution for clinical stage T2 urothelial carcinoma between 2005 and 2017 was performed. Patients with and without repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor were matched 1-to-1 by propensity score. Matching was done by age, gender, receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, preoperative hydronephrosis, variant histology, lymphovascular invasion, or carcinoma in situ on index transurethral resection of bladder tumor. RESULTS: A total of 548 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer were included after matching (2 groups of 274 patients). Kaplan-Meier estimates of recurrence-free and overall survival demonstrated no significant difference based upon performance of repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor (P = 1.0 and P = .3, respectively). When outcomes were stratified by pathology of repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimens, those with pT0 had superior recurrence-free and overall survival compared to those with residual muscle invasive disease (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). Notably, more than 60% of patients who were pT0 on repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor had residual disease at the time of radical cystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor prior to radical cystectomy, irrespective of receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, was not associated with improved survival outcomes in this propensity score matched muscle-invasive bladder cancer cohort. The absence of residual tumor on pathological evaluation of repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor specimen was prognostic and was associated with improved survival outcomes. However, a large percentage of patients with pT0 disease on repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor had residual disease on radical cystectomy pathology.

Apixaban vs Enoxaparin for Post-Surgical Extended-Duration Venous Thromboembolic Event Prophylaxis: A Prospective Quality Improvement Study.

PURPOSE: Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are a major cause of morbidity following abdominopelvic oncologic surgery. Enoxaparin, a subcutaneous injectable low molecular weight heparin, is commonly used for extended-duration VTE prophylaxis (EP), but has been associated with noncompliance. Newer direct oral anticoagulants have not been prospectively studied in the urologic oncology post-discharge setting. We aimed to improve compliance with EP following abdominopelvic oncologic surgery and secondarily test the hypothesis that apixaban is noninferior to enoxaparin for EP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center prospective quality improvement study measuring patient compliance and safety with EP was conducted between August 10, 2020 and September 21, 2021. Baseline data were continuously collected for 6 months, followed by a uniform departmental change from enoxaparin to apixaban. The duration of data collection was determined a priori using a noninferiority sample size estimation (145 per group). The primary outcome was compliance events (real or potential barriers to EP use). The secondary outcome was 30-day post-discharge safety events (symptomatic VTE or major bleed). RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were discharged with enoxaparin (baseline period) and 154 with apixaban (intervention period). Safety events occurred in 3.1% vs 0% of patients receiving enoxaparin and apixaban, respectively. The absolute risk difference of 3.1% (95% CI: 0.043%-5.8%) met the prespecified noninferiority threshold (p=0.028 for apixaban superiority). Compliance events occurred in 33.5% of enoxaparin patients and 14.3% of apixaban patients (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There were fewer compliance events using apixaban for EP than enoxaparin after urologic oncology surgery. Regarding safety, apixaban is noninferior to enoxaparin and may in fact have fewer associated major complications.

Validation and Application of MD Anderson Symptom Inventory Module for Patients with Bladder Cancer in the Perioperative Setting.

Objectives: We developed and validated a disease-specific tool for perioperative patient-reported outcomes assessment for bladder cancer (BLC) patients undergoing radical cystectomy, The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (the MDASI-PeriOp-BLC). Methods: Patients who underwent radical cystectomy were recruited. We used qualitative interviews and experts' input to generate disease/treatment-specific items of the MDASI-PeriOp-BLC module; conducted item reduction; examined the psychometric properties of the resultant items for reliability, validity, and clinical interpretability; and conducted cognitive debriefing interviews to assess the tool's performance. Results: A total of 150 BLC patients contributed to psychometric validation. We identified and defined eight BLC-specific module items (blood in urine, leaking urine, frequent urination, urinary urgency, burning with urination, constipation, changes in sexual function, and stomal problems). We included those 8 items in addition to 13 MDASI core symptoms and 6 interference items to form the MDASI-PeriOp-BLC module. Cronbach alphas were 0.89 and 0.90 for the 21 severity items and the 6 interference items, respectively. Test−retest reliability (intra-class correlation) was 0.92 for the 21 severity items. The MDASI-PeriOp-BLC module significantly differentiated the patients by performance status (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The MDASI-PeriOp-BLC is a valid, reliable, and concise tool for monitoring symptom burden during perioperative care in BLC patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

Radical cystectomy and women's sexual health - can we do better?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Female sexual function after radical cystectomy is a crucial, but historically overlooked component of bladder cancer survivorship. This review focuses on recent studies, which have investigated pelvic health and sexual function after radical cystectomy. We discuss modifiable factors, which may contribute to decreased sexual function after radical cystectomy and techniques, which may lead to improved outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Sexual function is important to women and there is a significant desire (and unmet need) for more perioperative counseling and discussion regarding sexual function changes and quality of life impacts. Sexual function may be altered due to a combination of hormonal changes from ovarian removal, anatomic changes from vaginal alteration, and sensation changes due to damage to the neurovascular bundle. Techniques to preserve these structures have been developed. SUMMARY: Sexual function is an important component of survivorship and increasing attention is being focused on this area. Long term studies with objective measures are needed for to compare various techniques and ensure oncologic safety. Ovarian preservation, anterior vaginal wall preservation, and vaginal estrogen replacement should be carefully considered for most patients.

All High-Grade Ta Tumors Should Be Classified as High Risk: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Response in High-Grade Ta Tumors.

PURPOSE: There is variation amongst guidelines with respect to risk stratification of Ta tumors, specifically high-grade (HG) Ta tumors. We sought to investigate the response of all Ta tumors to bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and compare response rates based on European Association of Urology (EAU) classification as intermediate- (IR) or high-risk (HR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institutional review of all patients who received adequate BCG from 2000-2018 was conducted. EAU 2021 prognostic risk groups were used to stratify patients including by the newly proposed adverse risk factors. RESULTS: When patient with Ta tumors were stratified into IR and HR, 37 (16%) had IR low-grade (LG) Ta, 92 (40%) had IR HG Ta and 101 (44%) had HR HG Ta tumors. BCG unresponsiveness developed in 13% of HR HG Ta tumors and 14% of IR HG Ta tumors compared to 0.0% of IR LG Ta tumors (p=0.003). While no patients with IR LG Ta tumors progressed, progression rates were similar in HR HG Ta and IR HG Ta tumors (≥T2: 5.9% and 6.5%; [Formula: see text]T1: 13% and 13%, respectively). Rates of recurrence, BCG unresponsiveness and progression were similar, irrespective of number of EAU risk factors present (p=0.9, p=0.8 and p=0.9, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: All HG Ta tumors, regardless of EAU risk stratification, have inferior response to BCG and increased rates of progression compared to IR LG Ta tumors. EAU clinical risk factors did not improve prediction of oncologic outcomes among HG Ta patients who received adequate BCG. These data support consideration of all HG tumors as high risk.

Management, Surveillance Patterns, and Costs Associated With Low-Grade Papillary Stage Ta Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Among Older Adults, 2004-2013.

Importance: Low-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is associated with extremely low rates of progression and cancer-specific mortality; however, patients with low-risk NMIBC may often receive non-guideline-recommended and potentially costly surveillance testing and treatment. Objective: To describe current surveillance and treatment practices, cancer outcomes, and costs of care for low-grade papillary stage Ta (low-grade Ta) NMIBC and identify factors associated with increased cost of care. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cohort study identified 13 054 older adults (aged 66-90 years) diagnosed with low-grade Ta tumors in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-linked Medicare database from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2013. Medicare claims data through December 31, 2014, were also reviewed. Data were analyzed from April 1 to October 6, 2021. Exposures: Surveillance testing and treatment among patients with low-grade Ta NMIBC. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was patterns in population-level surveillance and treatment practice over time among patients with low-grade Ta NMIBC. Secondary outcomes were recurrence (defined as receipt of subsequent transurethral resection of bladder tumor >3 months after index diagnosis of NMIBC and initial transurethral resection of bladder tumor), progression (defined as receipt of definitive treatment for bladder cancer), and costs of care. Results: Among 13 054 patients who met inclusion criteria, 9596 (73.5%) were male and 3458 (26.5%) were female, with a median age of 76 years (IQR, 71-81 years). A total of 403 patients (3.1%) were Black, 120 (0.9%) were Hispanic, 12 123 (92.9%) were White, and 408 (3.1%) were of other races and/or ethnicities. Rates of surveillance cystoscopy increased over the study period (from 79.3% in 2004 to 81.5% in 2013; P = .007), with patients receiving a median of 3.0 cystoscopies per year (IQR, 2.0-4.0 per year). Rates of upper tract imaging (particularly computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) also increased over the study period (from 30.4% in 2004 to 47.0% in 2013; P < .001), with most patients receiving a median of 2.0 imaging tests per year (IQR, 1.0-2.0 per year). The use of urine cytologic testing or other urine biomarker assessment also increased (from 44.8% in 2004 to 54.9% in 2013; P < .001). Rates of adherence to current guidelines were similar over time (eg, a median of 4398 patients [55.2%] received ≤2 cystoscopies per year in 2004-2008 vs a median of 2736 patients [53.8%] in 2009-2013; P = .11), suggesting overuse of all surveillance testing modalities. With regard to treatment, 2250 patients (17.2%) received intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin, and 792 patients (6.1%) received intravesical chemotherapy (excluding receipt of a single perioperative dose). Among all patients with low-grade Ta NMIBC, 217 (1.7%) experienced disease recurrence and 52 (0.4%) experienced disease progression. The total annual median costs of low-grade Ta surveillance testing and treatment increased by 60% (from $34 792 in 2004 to $53 986 in 2013), with higher 1-year median expenditures noted among those with disease recurrence ($76 669) vs no disease recurrence ($53 909) at the end of the study period. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, despite low rates of disease recurrence and progression, rates of surveillance testing increased during the study period. The annual cost of care also increased over time, particularly among patients with recurrent disease. Efforts to improve adherence to current practice guidelines, with the focus on limiting overuse of surveillance testing and treatment, may mitigate associated increasing costs of care.

Updated European Association of Urology (EAU) Prognostic Factor Risk Groups Overestimate the Risk of Progression in Patients with Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin.

BACKGROUND: The 2021 European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines contain updated prognostic factor risk groups for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). These groups are based on the following predictors of progression: tumour stage, grade, number, and size; concomitant carcinoma in situ; and age. However, the groups were derived from datasets excluding patients treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of the updated EAU prognostic factor risk groups in patients with NMIBC treated with BCG. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We reviewed patients treated with BCG at our institution between 2000 and 2018. Patients were analysed according to the receipt of "at least induction" and "adequate" BCG (as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration). Risk groups were assigned according to the 2021 EAU NMIBC risk calculator (https://nmibc.net/). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the risks of progression at 1 and 5 yr. Probabilities of progression obtained with the updated prognostic factor risk groups in our series were compared with those reported by the EAU. Discrimination was assessed using the concordance index (c-index). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 529 patients received at least induction BCG with a median follow-up of 47.3 mo (interquartile range 25.3-86.9). Of these patients, 494 received adequate BCG. We found lower progression rates at 1 yr in the very-high-risk group patients receiving at least induction (6.9%) and adequate BCG (4.0%) versus 16.0% for the EAU predicted rates. Additionally, progression rates were also lower at 5 yr in the high-risk group-7.4% for at least induction and 5.3% for adequate BCG versus 9.6% for EAU predicted rates; the rates in the very-high-risk group were as follows: 16.7% for at least induction and 14.9% for adequate BCG versus 40.0% for EAU predicted rates. The c-index in our series was lower than that reported by the EAU (0.63 vs 0.80). Of interest, our multivariable analysis identified grade, stage, and age (p < 0.02) to be the predictors of progression after BCG therapy. CONCLUSIONS: While the 2021 EAU prognostic factor risk groups successfully stratified progression risks in our cohort, treatment with BCG reduced their discriminative ability. Furthermore, the groups overestimate progression risks in BCG-treated patients. These findings should be used in conjunction with the updated risk groups to counsel patients with higher-risk NMIBC about their risk of progression with and without BCG. PATIENT SUMMARY: Although the updated European Association of Urology prognostic factor risk groups are able to stratify patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer according to their risk of progression to muscle-invasive bladder cancer, this risk is overestimated in patients treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG).

Should patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer discontinue fibrin clot inhibitors during bacille Calmette-Guérin?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of fibrin clot inhibitor (FCI) use on oncological outcomes in a large contemporary cohort of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with adequate bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an Institutional Review Board-approved review of patients with NMIBC treated with adequate intravesical BCG, at our institution between 2000 and 2018. FCI use at the time of BCG therapy was recorded for each patient. Patients were stratified according to use of FCI medication. Recurrence- and progression-free survival were analysed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Overall, 226 of 526 patients (43.0%) used a FCI: aspirin (205), clopidogrel (38), warfarin (18) and novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC; seven). The use of FCIs did not adversely affect either recurrence- or progression-free survival (P = 0.385 and P = 0.131, respectively). These results did not change when the impact of aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin/NOAC use on recurrence and progression was evaluated separately. On multivariate analysis, FCI use was neither associated with tumour recurrence nor progression. CONCLUSION: The use of FCIs was not associated with adverse oncological outcomes in a large contemporary cohort of patients receiving adequate intravesical BCG for NMIBC. Based on these results, FCIs may be safely continued during BCG immunotherapy.

Reduced-dose bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in an era of BCG shortage: real-world experience from a tertiary cancer centre.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of one-third-dose (1/3D) bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) on oncological outcomes in a large cohort of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with adequate BCG (as defined by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA)) in a real-world setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an institutional review board-approved review of patients with NMIBC treated with adequate BCG at our institution between 2000 and 2020. Patients were stratified according to whether they had received 1/3D BCG or full-dose (FD) BCG. Time to recurrence, time to progression and cancer-specific survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: Of 563 patients with NMIBC treated with adequate BCG, 150 (26.6%) received 1/3D and 413 (73.4%) received FD. The use of 1/3D BCG did not adversely affect time to recurrence (P = 0.449) or time to progression (P = 0.716), and this remained consistent when patients were stratified by individual 2021 European Association of Urology (EAU) prognostic factor risk groups. Cancer-specific survival was similar in patients receiving 1/3D and those receiving FD BCG (P = 0.320). CONCLUSION: The use of 1/3D BCG was not associated with adverse oncological outcomes in a large cohort of patients receiving adequate BCG for intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC. Based on this real-world experience, risk-stratified split-vial dosing may represent a valuable approach for other institutions facing BCG shortages whilst also providing reassurance to patients who may be concerned about suboptimal outcomes.

Clinicopathological analysis and outcomes of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours of the urinary bladder.

OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical, imaging, and histopathological characteristics of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) of the urinary bladder and provide initial management and surveillance recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified patients with IMT of the bladder treated at our facility from 1998 to 2020. Categorical variables were analysed with chi-square and Fisher's exact tests and continuous variables with the Mann-Whitney U-test. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed for recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: IMT was diagnosed in 35 patients with median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up of 20 (11.5-68.5) months. At initial diagnosis 86% were clinically organ-confined, 9% locally advanced, and 5% metastatic. Majority of patients (92%) had residual disease on re-staging transurethral resection (TUR). Of the 15 patients with organ-confined disease managed initially with TUR alone, five (33%) recurred at a median (IQR) of 5 (3.0-5.5) months from initial diagnosis. Presentation with visible haematuria was associated with recurrence (100% in recurrence vs 40% in non-recurrence groups, P = 0.044). There were no patients who developed a recurrence beyond 6 months after diagnosis. Partial or radical cystectomy was required in 23% and 9% of patients, respectively. One patient presented with metastatic disease associated with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation and achieved a durable complete remission with 7 months of crizotinib therapy. CONCLUSIONS: No patient with IMT treated with aggressive endoscopic management developed recurrences beyond 6 months. There were additionally no recurrences noted after definitive radical or partial cystectomy. These data support organ sparing therapy with aggressive endoscopic management and short-term surveillance in patients with localised IMT, with extirpative surgery reserved for refractory cases.