Radical Cystectomy in the Treatment of Invasive Bladder Cancer: Long-Term Results in 1,054 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate our long-term experience with patients treated uniformly with radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection for invasive bladder cancer and to describe the association of the primary bladder tumor stage and regional lymph node status with clinical outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing radical cystectomy with bilateral pelvic iliac lymphadenectomy, with the intent to cure, for transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder between July 1971 and December 1997, with or without adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy, were evaluated. The clinical course, pathologic characteristics, and long-term clinical outcomes were evaluated in this group of patients. RESULTS: A total of 1,054 patients (843 men [80%] and 211 women) with a median age of 66 years (range, 22 to 93 years) were uniformly treated. Median follow-up was 10.2 years (range, 0 to 28 years). There were 27 (2.5%) perioperative deaths, with a total of 292 (28%) early complications. Overall recurrence-free survival at 5 and 10 years for the entire cohort was 68% and 66%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival for patients with organ-confined, lymph node-negative tumors was 92% and 86% for P0 disease, 91% and 89% for Pis, 79% and 74% for Pa, and 83% and 78% for P1 tumors, respectively. Patients with muscle invasive (P2 and P3a), lymph node-negative tumors had 89% and 87% and 78% and 76% 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival, respectively. Patients with nonorgan-confined (P3b, P4), lymph node-negative tumors demonstrated a significantly higher probability of recurrence compared with those with organ-confined bladder cancers (P < .001). The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival for P3b tumors was 62% and 61%, and for P4 tumors was 50% and 45% , respectively. A total of 246 patients (24%) had lymph node tumor involvement. The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival for these patients was 35%, and 34%, respectively, which was significantly lower than for patients without lymph node involvement (P < .001). Patients could also be stratified by the number of lymph nodes involved and by the extent of the primary bladder tumor (p stage). Patients with fewer than five positive lymph nodes, and whose p stage was organ-confined had significantly improved survival rates. Bladder cancer recurred in 311 patients (30%) . The median time to recurrence among those patients in whom the cancer recurred was 12 months (range, 0.04 to 11.1 years). In 234 patients (22%) there was a distant recurrence, and in 77 patients (7%) there was a local (pelvic) recurrence. CONCLUSION: These data from a large group of patients support the aggressive surgical management of invasive bladder cancer. Excellent long-term survival can be achieved with a low incidence of pelvic recurrence.

Variability in surgical quality in a phase III clinical trial of radical cystectomy in patients with organ-confined, node-negative urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown that variability in surgical technique can affect the outcomes of cooperative group trials. We analyzed measures of surgical quality and clinical outcomes in patients enrolled in the p53-MVAC trial. METHODS: We performed a post-hoc analysis of patients with pT1-T2N0M0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder following radical cystectomy (RC) and bilateral pelvic and iliac lymphadenectomy (LND). Measures of surgical quality were examined for associations with time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: We reviewed operative and/or pathology reports for 440 patients from 35 sites. We found that only 31% of patients met all suggested trial eligibility criteria of having ≥15 lymph nodes identified in the pathologic specimen (LN#) and having undergone both extended and presacral LND. There was no association between extent of LND, LN#, or presacral LND and TTR or OS after adjustment for confounders and multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that there was substantial variability in surgical technique within a cooperative group trial. Despite explicit entry criteria, many patients did not undergo per-protocol LNDs. While outcomes were not apparently affected, it is nonetheless evident that careful attention to study design and quality monitoring will be critical to successful future trials.

Significance of lymphovascular invasion in organ-confined, node-negative urothelial cancer of the bladder: data from the prospective p53-MVAC trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and clinical outcome in organ-confined, node-negative urothelial cancer of the bladder (UCB) in a post hoc analysis of a prospective clinical trial. To explore the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) on outcome in the subset of patients whose tumours exhibited LVI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical and tumour factors were extracted from the operative and pathology reports of 499 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy (RC) for pT1-T2 N0 UCB in the p53-MVAC trial (Southwest Oncology Group 4B951/NCT00005047). The presence or absence of LVI was determined by pathological examination of transurethral resection or RC specimens. Variables were examined in univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models for associations with time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 499 patients with a median follow-up of 4.9 years, a subset of 102 (20%) had LVI-positive tumours. Of these, 34 patients had pT1 and 68 had pT2 disease. LVI was significantly associated with TTR with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.78 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.77; number of events (EV) 95; P = 0.01) and with OS with a HR of 2.02 (95% CI 1.31-3.11; EV 98; P = 0.001) after adjustment for pathological stage. Among 27 patients with LVI-positive tumours who were randomised to receive adjuvant chemotherapy, receiving MVAC was not significantly associated with TTR (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.16-3.17; EV 7; P = 0.65) or with OS (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.11-1.83; EV 9; P = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: Our post hoc analysis of the p53-MVAC trial revealed an association between LVI and shorter TTR and OS in patients with pT1-T2N0 disease. The analysis did not show a statistically significant benefit of adjuvant MVAC chemotherapy in patients with LVI, although a possible benefit was not excluded.

A novel precision-engineered microfiltration device for capture and characterisation of bladder cancer cells in urine.

BACKGROUND: Sensitivity of standard urine cytology for detecting urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is low, attributable largely to its inability to process entire samples, paucicellularity and presence of background cells. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate performance and practical applicability of a novel portable microfiltration device for capture, enumeration and characterisation of exfoliated tumour cells in urine, and compare it with standard urine cytology for UCB detection. METHODS: A total of 54 urine and bladder wash samples from patients undergoing surveillance for UCB were prospectively evaluated by standard and microfilter-based urine cytology. Head-to-head comparison of quality and performance metrics, and cost effectiveness was conducted for both methodologies. RESULTS: Five samples were paucicellular by standard cytology; no samples processed by microfilter cytology were paucicellular. Standard cytology had 33.3% more samples with background cells that limited evaluation (p<0.001). Microfilter cytology was more concordant (κ=50.4%) than standard cytology (κ=33.5%) with true UCB diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were higher for microfilter cytology compared to standard cytology (53.3%/100%/79.2% versus 40%/95.8%/69.9%, respectively). Microfilter-captured cells were amenable to downstream on-chip molecular analyses. A 40 ml sample was processed in under 4 min by microfilter cytology compared to 5.5 min by standard cytology. Median microfilter cytology processing and set-up costs were approximately 63% cheaper and 80 times lower than standard cytology, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The microfiltration device represents a novel non-invasive UCB detection system that is economical, rapid, versatile and has potentially better quality and performance metrics than routine urine cytology, the current standard-of-care.

Combination of molecular alterations and smoking intensity predicts bladder cancer outcome: a report from the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program.

BACKGROUND: Traditional single-marker and multimarker molecular profiling approaches in bladder cancer do not account for major risk factors and their influence on clinical outcome. This study examined the prognostic value of molecular alterations across all disease stages after accounting for clinicopathological factors and smoking, the most common risk factor for bladder cancer in the developed world, in a population-based cohort. METHODS: Primary bladder tumors from 212 cancer registry patients (median follow-up, 13.2 years) were immunohistochemically profiled for Bax, caspase-3, apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1), Bcl-2, p53, p21, cyclooxygenase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and E-cadherin alterations. "Smoking intensity" quantified the impact of duration and daily frequency of smoking. RESULTS: Age, pathological stage, surgical modality, and adjuvant therapy administration were significantly associated with survival. Increasing smoking intensity was independently associated with worse outcome (P < .001). Apaf-1, E-cadherin, and p53 were prognostic for outcome (P = .005, .014, and .032, respectively); E-cadherin remained prognostic following multivariable analysis (P = .040). Combined alterations in all 9 biomarkers were prognostic by univariable (P < .001) and multivariable (P = .006) analysis. A multivariable model that included all 9 biomarkers and smoking intensity had greater accuracy in predicting prognosis than models composed of standard clinicopathological covariates without or with smoking intensity (P < .001 and P = .018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Apaf-1, E-cadherin, and p53 alterations individually predicted survival in bladder cancer patients. Increasing number of biomarker alterations was significantly associated with worsening survival, although markers comprising the panel were not necessarily prognostic individually. Predictive value of the 9-biomarker panel with smoking intensity was significantly higher than that of routine clinicopathological parameters alone.

Phase III study of molecularly targeted adjuvant therapy in locally advanced urothelial cancer of the bladder based on p53 status.

INTRODUCTION: Retrospective studies suggest that p53 alteration is prognostic for recurrence in patients with urothelial bladder cancer and predictive for benefit from combination methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) adjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with pT1/T2N0M0 disease whose tumors demonstrated ≥ 10% nuclear reactivity on centrally performed immunohistochemistry for p53 were offered random assignment to three cycles of adjuvant MVAC versus observation; p53-negative patients were observed. By using a log-rank test with one-sided α = .05 and ß = .10, 190 p53-positive patients were planned to be randomly assigned to detect an absolute improvement in probability of recurring by 3 years from 0.50 to 0.30. RESULTS: A total of 521 patients were registered, 499 underwent p53 assessment, 272 (55%) were positive, and 114 (42%) were randomly assigned. Accrual was halted on the basis of the data and safety monitoring board review of a futility analysis. Overall 5-year probability of recurring was 0.20 (95% CI, 0.16 to 0.24) with no difference on the basis of p53 status. Only 67% of patients randomly assigned to MVAC received all three cycles with 12 patients receiving no treatment. There was no difference in recurrence in the randomly assigned patients (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.29 to 2.08; P = .62). CONCLUSION: Neither the prognostic value of p53 nor the benefit of MVAC chemotherapy in patients with p53-positive tumors was confirmed, but the high patient refusal rate, lower than expected event rate, and failures to receive assigned therapy severely compromised study power.

Long-term outcome in patients with a Gleason score ≤ 6 prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: • To determine the actual recurrence risk of patients with a Gleason score (GS) ≤ 6 treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and bilateral lymphadenectomy in a cohort with long-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • The USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center database included 3235 consecutive patients who underwent RRP for prostate cancer between January 1972 and December 2005. We identified 1383 patients with a GS ≤ 6 in prostatectomy specimens. Median follow-up was 8.3 years. Data on pathological and clinical characteristics and outcome were prospectively recorded. • Statistical analysis was performed using the stratified log-rank test and stepwise Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: • A GS of 6 was present in 66%, 5 in 27%, 4 in 5% and 3 or 2 in 3% of cases. Tumour classification was pT2N0 (83%), pT3N0 (14%), pT4N0 (0.1%) and any TN1 (2%). • Positive margins were seen in 18%. Estimated PSA and clinical recurrence rate were 14% and 4% after 10 years and 18% and 6% after 15 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, N-stage (P < 0.001), T-stage (P= 0.02) and margin status (P < 0.001) were associated with PSA recurrence. • N-stage (P < 0.001) and T-stage (P= 0.01) were associated with clinical recurrence. • Overall, patients with a GS ≤ 6 accounted for 26% of all PSA recurrences and for 20% of all patients with clinical recurrences in the database. CONCLUSION: • A relatively small proportion of patients with a GS ≤ 6 cancer developed PSA recurrence and/or overt metastasis. However, these patients account for a substantial minority of those who experienced recurrence and metastasis.

Surgical considerations for elderly urologic oncology patients.

In light of the aging population and the high incidence of urologic malignancies in the elderly in the United States, we review issues surrounding radical urologic surgery in the elderly. Specifically, we examine the safety, efficacy, techniques, and special concerns related to elderly patients. We found in multiple series that well selected, elderly patients can safely undergo major, extirpative urologic surgery with acceptable morbidity, comparable to their younger counterparts. Tools, such as the ASA score, Karnofsky index, and Charlson index may help guide patient selection and counseling.

Clinical outcomes and recurrence predictors of lymph node positive urothelial cancer after cystectomy.

PURPOSE: Lymph node metastasis in patients who undergo radical cystectomy for bladder transitional cell carcinoma is considered a poor prognostic factor. However, patients with minimal lymph node involvement likely have a better outcome than those with extensive disease. We examined outcomes in patients with low volume lymph node metastasis and identified variables associated with disease recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our institution maintains a database of 1,600 patients with bladder transitional carcinoma who underwent radical cystectomy from 1971 to 2005 with intent to cure. All patients with low volume lymph node metastasis, defined as 1 or 2 positive lymph nodes, without concomitant distant metastasis were included in study. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were identified. Median followup was 12.8 years, during which 96 patients experienced recurrence. Estimated 5 and 10-year recurrence-free survival was 43.8% and 40.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that pathological stage/subgroup (RR 1.733, p = 0.015), lymph node density (RR 1.935, p = 0.014) and adjuvant chemotherapy (RR 0.538, p = 0.004) were significant independent predictors of recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of patients with low volume lymph node metastasis in our cohort remained free of recurrence during followup. Extravesical tumor extension and lymph node density greater than 4% were associated with a higher recurrence risk and adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a lower risk. Although some patients with low volume lymph node metastasis may be cured by surgery alone, these data support adjuvant chemotherapy in these patients.

Long-term oncological outcomes in women undergoing radical cystectomy and orthotopic diversion for bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: We compared oncological outcomes in women undergoing radical cystectomy and orthotopic diversion for bladder transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1990 to 2005, 201 women underwent radical cystectomy, including 120 with an orthotopic neobladder. Median followup was 8.6 years. The clinical course, and pathological and oncological outcomes in these 120 women were analyzed and compared to those in 81 women undergoing radical cystectomy and cutaneous diversion during the same period. RESULTS: Overall 3 of 120 women (2.5%) who received a neobladder died perioperatively. In this group the tumor was pathologically organ confined in 73 patients (61%), extravesical in 18 (15%) and lymph node positive in 29 (24%). Overall 5 and 10-year recurrence-free survival was 62% and 55%, respectively. Five and 10-year recurrence-free survival in patients with organ confined and extravesical disease was similar at 75% and 67%, and 71% and 71%, respectively. Patients with lymph node positive disease had significantly worse 5 and 10-year recurrence-free survival (24% and 19%, respectively). One woman had recurrence in the urethra and 2 (1.7%) had local recurrence. As stratified by pathological subgroups, similar outcomes were observed when comparing women with an orthotopic neobladder to the 81 who underwent cutaneous diversion. CONCLUSIONS: Orthotopic diversion does not compromise the oncological outcome in women after radical cystectomy for bladder transitional cell carcinoma. Excellent local and urethral control may be expected. Women with node positive disease are at highest risk for recurrence. Similar outcomes were observed in women undergoing cutaneous diversion.

Training the urologic oncologist of the future: where are the challenges?

OBJECTIVE: Training the new generation of urologic oncologist from a surgical perspective poses unique challenges. The advent of minimally invasive surgical procedures coupled with the need to perform open surgical procedures has significantly increased the demands upon both the trainer and trainee. The learning and practice of complex procedures demand continuous improvements in surgical training programs. This review discusses some theoretical and practical issues to be considered for the successful and safe transmission of surgical skills in an era of increasing regulations. FINDINGS: Few systematic studies address this topic, leaving ample margin for research and improvement in this endeavor. It is the authors' opinion that mentorship remains the most significant and important component to successful surgical training today. The advent of simulation, virtual reality, and modular teaching represent (novel and important) advances in the field of surgical education. While some residency programs have incorporated these changes into their surgical training curriculum, this has not become widespread and the available literature remains at best sporadic. CONCLUSIONS: Mentorship remains an integral if not the most critical component to surgical training today. Other novel approaches to surgical training have developed and should be incorporated into the traditional concepts of mentorship training. This may become even more important with the advent of minimally invasive approaches to surgery. The vast majority of the studies published concur that the traditional model of "see one, do one, teach one" is not an optimal approach for training surgical skills. Socioeconomic changes are forcing the surgical community to rethink how they train residents and absorb new technologies. Adapting to the new demands posed on surgical educators represents a great challenge for the upcoming years.

Comparison of extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal augmentation enterocystoplasty for neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury patients.

OBJECTIVES: Augmentation enterocystoplasty is the standard treatment for patients with neurogenic bladder who have failed medical management. Our "extraperitoneal" approach involves a small peritoneotomy to obtain the segment of bowel for augmentation, and a standard "clam" enterocystoplasty. We compared operative and postoperative parameters and clinical outcomes of this technique with the standard intraperitoneal technique. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts of 73 patients with neurogenic voiding dysfunction refractory to medical management who underwent augmentation enterocystoplasty alone or in conjunction with additional procedures. A total of 49 patients underwent extraperitoneal augmentation and 24 patients underwent intraperitoneal augmentation. Operative and postoperative parameters including time of surgery, estimated blood loss, need for blood transfusion, time for return of bowel function, and length of hospital stay were examined. Clinical outcomes including early and late postoperative complications, and continence status were also analyzed. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 2.5 years. Patients in the extraperitoneal group had significantly shorter operative time (3.9 vs. 5.6 h, P < 0.0001); shorter hospital stay (8.0 vs. 10.5 days, P = 0.009); and shorter time to return of bowel function (3.5 vs. 4.9 days, P = 0.0005). There was no significant difference in complication rates. Postoperative continence was equally improved in both groups. When only patients with no prior abdominal surgery were compared, the findings were analogous: shorter operative time, shorter length of stay, sooner return of bowel function, and no difference in complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: The extraperitoneal technique provides an equally effective method of bladder augmentation to the standard technique with easier early postoperative recovery.

The impact of positive soft tissue surgical margins following radical cystectomy for high-grade, invasive bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with positive soft tissue surgical margins (STSM) and determine the association with various surgical and pathological characteristics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 1971 to December 2005, 1,591 patients with primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder underwent RC, with an extended bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion. A positive STSM was defined as tumor identified at the inked perivesical soft tissue surrounding the cystectomy specimen. Data were analyzed according to various clinical and pathologic variables, and survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients (1%) demonstrated pathologic evidence of a positive STSM following RC. Positive STSM were significantly associated with lymphovascular invasion, advanced pathologic stage, lymph node involvement, extent of nodal involvement and lymph node density. No patient with an organ-confined primary bladder tumor had a positive STSM, while 3% with extravesical tumor extension demonstrated a positive STSM. Recurrence-free and overall survival at 5 and 10 years for patients with a positive STSM was 29 and 22%, and 29 and 11%, respectively (p < 0.001). A positive STSM increased the risk of recurrence by threefold and the overall risk of death by 2.6 times. Only nine patients (1%) without evidence of nodal involvement had a positive STSM with a worse survival compared to those same pathologic subgroup and negative STSM. Nine patients (2%) with lymph node tumor involvement had positive STSM and also demonstrated significantly worse survival. CONCLUSION: Although a positive STSM was present in only 1% of patients undergoing a RC for TCC of the bladder, it was found to be an independent risk factor for advanced disease, lymph node involvement and tumor progression with worse survival. A dedicated effort should be made to avoid a positive STSM at the time of RC.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced urothelial carcinoma: an overview of the USC experience.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the tolerability of two chemotherapy regimens, gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) and methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) for adjuvant treatment of patients with locally advanced urothelial cancer after radical cystectomy. METHODS: The USC Department of Urology bladder cancer database was searched for subjects who received adjuvant chemotherapy following cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma with extravesical and/or lymph node involvement, yielding 187 cases. Clinical details regarding toxicity, number of cycles administered, and cancer outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: The majority of subjects had lymph node involvement (70%). Sixty-eight percent of subjects received MVAC and 32% received GC, the latter regimen was predominant after 2000. Fifty-six percent of subjects received all four planned cycles (51% GC and 58% MVAC). With a median follow-up of 11.2 years (range 1.9-19.6), 96 patients (51%) have suffered a relapse, with no significant difference between chemotherapy regimens. Median time to recurrence for the population was 3.7 years and median overall survival is 4.6 years (3.0-9.3). The median time from recurrence to death was 6.7 months and was not significantly different between MVAC and GC. CONCLUSIONS: Both MVAC and GC are tolerated after cystectomy for advanced urothelial carcinoma. A significant proportion of high-risk patients survive, free of disease, beyond 10 years. At recurrence, patients previously treated with adjuvant chemotherapy have a survival that appears much shorter than patients who develop metastases in the absence of this exposure, suggesting resistance to salvage chemotherapy.

Prostate-sparing cystectomy: a review of the oncologic and functional outcomes. Contraindicated in patients with bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: The standard treatment of high-grade, invasive bladder cancer is radical cystectomy. Prostate-sparing techniques have recently become an alternative surgical approach for the treatment of the disease. We review the literature regarding the oncologic and functional outcomes for prostate-sparing approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature pertaining to prostate-sparing cystectomy was reviewed. The oncologic issues of preserving the prostate in patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer along with the functional outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: There is a significant incidence of bladder and prostate cancer involving the prostate, and prostate apex in men requiring cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder at the time of surgery. This involvement of the prostate with cancer maybe difficult to determine preoperatively. Importantly, although prostate-sparing procedures provide good potency results, the functional outcomes following cystectomy and orthotopic diversion to the urethra are not significantly different, particularly regarding daytime continence. Lastly, several studies suggest the oncologic outcomes following prostate-sparing cystectomy may be compromised with this surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: The significant incidence of bladder and prostate cancer involving the prostate at the time of cystectomy, which is difficult to determine preoperatively, may preclude the general application of prostate-sparing techniques in most men requiring cystectomy. Concerns regarding the oncologic outcomes with prostate-sparing techniques, coupled with the excellent results seen with traditional radical cystectomy and orthotopic diversion, suggest that prostate-sparing procedure should be performed only in well-selected individuals.

Outcomes of patients with clinical CIS-only disease treated with radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To report the long-term oncological efficacy of radical cystectomy for patients with presumed clinical CIS only disease, to characterize the likelihood of clinical understaging, and to characterize the pattern of recurrence. METHODS: One thousand six hundred patients have undergone radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection with intent to cure from August 1971 to December 2005 at the University of Southern California; 27 patients from this cohort who satisfied both the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Relevant clinical and pathological data at time of cystectomy and during follow-up were reported. Overall and recurrence-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: At time of cystectomy, 33% of patients were found to be clinically understaged. Median follow-up was 94 months. Estimated 5- and 10-year overall survival was 87 and 56%, respectively. Estimated 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival was 100 and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent long-term survival outcomes can be achieved with radical cystectomy. Radical cystectomy should be strongly considered for patients who have failed prior intravesical therapy. Long-term surveillance of the retained urethra and of the upper tract is essential, as recurrence can occur years following cystectomy. Patients who recur are at high risk of dying from disease.

Risk factors and clinical outcomes of patients with node-positive muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Radical cystectomy and lymphadenectomy is a standard treatment for patients with high-grade, invasive bladder cancer. Although the absolute limits of lymphadectomy at the time of surgery have not been precisely defined, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that an extended lymph node dissection may be beneficial for staging and survival in both node-negative and -positive bladder cancer patients. For lymph node-positive patients, several prognostic factors have been identified to provide risk stratification and direct the need for adjuvant treatment. These include: the pathological stage of the bladder tumor, extent of the lymphadenectomy and nodal tumor burden. The concept of lymph node density has also been identified as a prognostic factor. The literature and data on the extent of lymphadenectomy will be reviewed as well as the current prognostic variables and the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Predictors of intravesical therapy for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: results from the surveillance, epidemiology and end results program 2003 patterns of care project.

PURPOSE: In response to variations in cancer care organizations have developed clinical guidelines. In the case of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer, also known as superficial bladder cancer, 2 similar sets of guidelines were released in the late 1990s that provide care recommendations. We examined patterns of intravesical therapy use in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer in 2003 to determine whether disparities remained in the quality of cancer care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) Program 2003 Bladder Cancer Patterns of Care project were used. Subjects newly diagnosed with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer in 2003 were included. Clinical and sociodemographic data were obtained from the SEER Program and a detailed medical record review. Statistical analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of intravesical therapy in the entire cohort and in a subset of patients at high risk. RESULTS: A total of 685 patients were included in the study, of whom 216 (31.5%) received intravesical therapy. In addition to higher tumor stage and grade, intravesical therapy was independently associated with race/ethnicity and geographic region. Of the subset of 350 patients at high risk 42% received intravesical therapy. Stage, grade, race/ethnicity and geographic region were independently associated with intravesical therapy in this subcohort. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the underuse of intravesical therapy even in patients with high risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer as well as disparities in the quality of care. Barriers to using this cancer treatment must be identified, particularly in individuals at higher risk, and providers must become more aware of existing clinical guidelines.