Immediate radical cystectomy versus BCG immunotherapy for T1 high-grade non-muscle-invasive squamous bladder cancer: an international multi-centre collaboration.

PURPOSE: To compare cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and overall mortality (OM) between immediate radical cystectomy (RC) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for T1 squamous bladder cancer (BCa). METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 188 T1 high-grade squamous BCa patients treated between 1998 and 2019 at fifteen tertiary referral centres. Median follow-up time was 36 months (interquartile range: 19-76). The cumulative incidence and Kaplan-Meier curves were applied for CSM and OM, respectively, and compared with the Pepe-Mori and log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox models, adjusted for pathological findings at initial transurethral resection of bladder (TURB) specimen, were adopted to predict tumour recurrence and tumour progression after BCG immunotherapy. RESULTS: Immediate RC and conservative management were performed in 20% and 80% of patients, respectively. 5-year CSM and OM did not significantly differ between the two therapeutic strategies (Pepe-Mori test p = 0.052 and log-rank test p = 0.2, respectively). At multivariable Cox analyses, pure squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) was an independent predictor of tumour progression (p = 0.04), while concomitant lympho-vascular invasion (LVI) was an independent predictor of both tumour recurrence and progression (p = 0.04) after BCG. Patients with neither pure SqCC nor LVI showed a significant benefit in 3-year recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival compared to individuals with pure SqCC or LVI (60% vs. 44%, p = 0.04 and 80% vs. 68%, p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: BCG could represent an effective treatment for T1 squamous BCa patients with neither pure SqCC nor LVI, while immediate RC should be preferred among T1 squamous BCa patients with pure SqCC or LVI at initial TURB specimen.

Oncologic Surveillance for Variant Histology Bladder Cancer after Radical Cystectomy.

PURPOSE: Presently, major guidelines do not provide specific recommendations on oncologic surveillance for patients who harbor variant histology (VH) bladder cancer (BCa) at radical cystectomy. We aimed to create a personalized followup scheme that dynamically weighs other cause mortality (OCM) vs the risk of recurrence for VH BCa, and to compare it with a similar one for pure urothelial carcinoma (pUC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within a multi-institutional registry, 528 and 1,894 patients with VH BCa and pUC, respectively, were identified. The Weibull regression was used to detect the time points after which the risk of OCM exceeded the risk of recurrence during followup. The risk of OCM over time was stratified based on age and comorbidities, and the risk of recurrence on pathological stage and recurrence site. RESULTS: Individuals with VH had a higher risk of recurrence (recurrence-free survival 30% vs 51% at 10 years, p <0.001) and shorter median time to recurrence (88 vs 123 months, p <0.01) relative to pUC. Among VH, micropapillary variant conferred the greatest risk of recurrence on the abdomen and lungs, and mixed variants carried the greatest risk of metastasizing to bones and other sites compared to pUC. Overall, surveillance should be continued for a longer time for individuals with VH BCa. Notably, patients younger than 60 years with VH and pT0/Ta/T1/N0 at radical cystectomy should continue oncologic surveillance after 10 years vs 6.5 years for pUC individuals. CONCLUSIONS: VH BCa is associated with greater recurrence risk than pUC. A followup scheme that is valid for pUC should not be applied to individuals with VH. Herein, we present a personalized approach for surveillance that may allow an improved shared decision.

Protocol of the Italian Radical Cystectomy Registry (RIC): a non-randomized, 24-month, multicenter study comparing robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery for radical cystectomy in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the ninth most common type of cancer worldwide. In the past, radical cystectomy via open surgery has been considered the gold-standard treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, in recent years there has been a progressive increase in the use of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy. The aim of the current project is to investigate the surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of patients with bladder cancer who undergo radical cystectomy comparing three different surgical techniques (robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery). Pre-, peri- and post-operative factors will be examined, and participants will be followed for a period of up to 24 months to identify risks of mortality, oncological outcomes, hospital readmission, sexual performance, and continence. METHODS: We describe a protocol for an observational, prospective, multicenter, cohort study to assess patients affected by bladder neoplasms undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. The Italian Radical Cystectomy Registry is an electronic registry to prospectively collect the data of patients undergoing radical cystectomy conducted with any technique (open, laparoscopic, robotic-assisted). Twenty-eight urology departments across Italy will provide data for the study, with the recruitment phase between 1st January 2017-31st October 2020. Information is collected from the patients at the moment of surgical intervention and during follow-up (3, 6, 12, and 24 months after radical cystectomy). Peri-operative variables include surgery time, type of urinary diversion, conversion to open surgery, bleeding, nerve sparing and lymphadenectomy. Follow-up data collection includes histological information (e.g., post-op staging, grading, and tumor histology), short- and long-term outcomes (e.g., mortality, post-op complications, hospital readmission, sexual potency, continence etc). DISCUSSION: The current protocol aims to contribute additional data to the field concerning the short- and long-term outcomes of three different radical cystectomy surgical techniques for patients with bladder cancer, including open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted. This is a comparative-effectiveness trial that takes into account a complex range of factors and decision making by both physicians and patients that affect their choice of surgical technique. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04228198 . Registered 14th January 2020- Retrospectively registered.

Association of patients' sex with treatment outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy for T1G3/HG bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of patients' sex with recurrence and disease progression in patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for T1G3/HG urinary bladder cancer (UBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the data of 2635 patients treated with adjuvant intravesical BCG for T1 UBC between 1984 and 2019. We accounted for missing data using multiple imputations and adjusted for covariate imbalance between males and females using inverse probability weighting (IPW). Crude and IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of patients' sex with HG-recurrence and disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 2170 (82%) males and 465 (18%) females were available for analysis. Overall, 1090 (50%) males and 244 (52%) females experienced recurrence, and 391 (18%) males and 104 (22%) females experienced disease progression. On IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, female sex was associated with disease progression (HR 1.25, 95%CI 1.01-1.56, p = 0.04) but not with recurrence (HR 1.06, 95%CI 0.92-1.22, p = 0.41). A total of 1056 patients were treated with adequate BCG. In these patients, on IPW-adjusted Cox regression analyses, patients' sex was not associated with recurrence (HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.80-1.24, p = 0.96), HG-recurrence (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.78-1.29, p = 0.99) or disease progression (HR 1.12, 95%CI 0.78-1.60, p = 0.55). CONCLUSION: Our analysis generates the hypothesis of a differential response to BCG between males and females if not adequately treated. Further studies should focus on sex-based differences in innate and adaptive immune system and their association with BCG response.

Adjuvant chemotherapy is ineffective in patients with bladder cancer and variant histology treated with radical cystectomy with curative intent.

OBJECTIVES: Adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is recommended for non-organ-confined bladder cancer (BCa) after radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), but there are sparse data regarding its specific efficacy in patients with histological variants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of ACT on survival outcomes in patients with variant histology in a large multicenter cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data of 3963 patients with BCa treated with RC and bilateral PLND with curative intent at several institutions between 1999 and 2018. The histological type was classified into six groups: pure urothelial carcinoma (PUC) or squamous, sarcomatoid, micropapillary, glandular and neuroendocrine differentiation. Multivariable competing risk analysis was applied to assess the role of ACT on recurrence and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in each histological subtype. RESULTS: Of the 3963 patients included in the study, 23% had variant histology at RC specimen and 723 (18%) patients received ACT. ACT was found to be significantly associated with reduced risk of recurrence (sub-hazard ratio [SHR]: 0.55, confidence interval [CI] 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and CSM (SHR: 0.58, CI 0.44-0.78, p < 0.001) in the PUC only, while no histological subtype received a significant benefit on survival outcomes (all p > 0.05) from administration of ACT. The limitation of the study includes the retrospective design, the lack of a central pathology review and the number of ACT cycles. CONCLUSION: In our study, the administration of ACT was associated with improved survival outcomes in PUC only. No histological subtype found a benefit in overall recurrence and CSM from ACT.

How to improve patient selection for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in bladder cancer patients candidate for radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection.

PURPOSE: To improve patient selection for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before radical cystectomy (RC) in bladder cancer patients (BCa). METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 1057 patients with cT2-4N0M0 BCa treated with RC and pelvic lymph node dissection between 1990 and 2018 at 3 referral centers. Adverse pathologic features (APF) were defined as pT3-pT4/pN + disease at RC. A regression tree model (CART) was used to assess preoperative risk group classes. A multivariable logistic regression (MVA) was performed to identify predictors of APF at RC. RESULTS: Median age was 70 years and most of the patients were men (83%). Of the 1057 patients included in our study, 688 (65%) had APF. CART analysis was able to stratify patients into 3 risk groups: low (cT2 and single disease, odds ratio [OR] 0.62), intermediate (cT2 and multiple disease, OR 1.08), and high (cT3-cT4, OR 1.28). On MVA APF were associated with variant histology (odds ratio [OR] 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46-10.83, p = 0.007), multifocality at TUR (OR 2.56, CI 1.27-5.17, p = 0.09), completeness of resection (OR 0.47, CI 0.23-0.96, p = 0.04) and clinical extravesical disease (OR 3.42, CI 1.63-7.14, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: We defined three pre-operative risk classes. Our results indicate that patients with a cT3-T4 disease are those who might benefit more from NAC whereas those with T2 single disease should be those to whom NAC probably shouldn't be proposed. Given the high rate of understaging in BCa patients, NAC can be proposed in selected cases of cT2/multifocal disease.

Complication rate after cystectomy following pelvic radiotherapy: an international, multicenter, retrospective series of 682 cases.

PURPOSE: Conflicting evidence exists on the complication rates after cystectomy following previous radiation (pRTC) with only a few available series. We aim to assess the complication rate of pRTC for abdominal-pelvic malignancies. METHODS: Patients treated with radical cystectomy following any previous history of RT and with available information on complications for a minimum of 1 year were included. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the variable parameters and the risk of any complication. RESULTS: 682 patients underwent pRTC after a previous RT (80.5% EBRT) for prostate, bladder (BC), gynecological or other cancers in 49.1%, 27.4%, 9.8% and 12.9%, respectively. Overall, 512 (75.1%) had at least one post-surgical complication, classified as Clavien ≥ 3 in 29.6% and Clavien V in 2.9%. At least one surgical complication occurred in 350 (51.3%), including bowel leakage in 6.2% and ureteric stricture in 9.4%. A medical complication was observed in 359 (52.6%) patients, with UTI/pyelonephritis being the most common (19%), followed by renal failure (12%). The majority of patients (86%) received an incontinent urinary diversion. In multivariable analysis adjusted for age, gender and type of RT, patients treated with RT for bladder cancer had a 1.7 times increased relative risk of experiencing any complication after RC compared to those with RT for prostate cancer (p = 0.023). The type of diversion (continent vs non-continent) did not influence the risk of complications. CONCLUSION: pRTC carries a high rate of major complications that dramatically exceeds the rates reported in RT-naïve RCs.

The impact of completeness of last transurethral resection of bladder tumors on the outcomes of radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of a complete transurethral resection of bladder tumors (c-TURBT) on oncological outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) and its relationship with adverse pathological features. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 727 patients treated with RC and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection at three tertiary referral centers. Possible c-TURBT was reported by the treating surgeon. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to assess the relationship of c-TURBT and survival outcomes after surgery in 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort adjusted for age and gender. Moreover, multivariable logistic regression (MVA) was built to predict the relationship between c-TURBT and pT3-T4 stages at RC, lymph node invasion (LNI) and positive soft tissue surgical margin (STSM). RESULTS: A total of 433 (60%) patients received a c-TURBT. 3.0% of patients with a c-TURBT achieved a pT0-pTa-pTis status vs. 2.0% of patients with incomplete TURBT. At multivariable Cox regression analyses, c-TURBT was not associated with survival outcomes. At MVA, incompleteness of TURBT was significantly associated with a pT3-T4 stage [odds ratio (OR) 8.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.33-27.67, p = 0.001]. No significant association was found between c-TURBT, LNI and STSM. CONCLUSION: We found a low rate of achievement of pT0 stage at RC. An incomplete TURBT before RC represented a predictor of pT3-T4 stages, but no effect of a c-TURBT was shown on survival outcomes. Given the current inadequacy of clinical staging strategies with more than 50% of extravesical disease being under-staged, our results could improve patients selection for NAC, driving the decision-making in doubtful cases.

Radical Cystectomy in Pathological T4a and T4b Bladder Cancer Patients: Is There Any Space for Sub Stratification?

INTRODUCTION: According to TNM staging, pathological T4ab are comprehensive of the invasion of prostate, seminal vesicles, uterus or vagina and pelvic or abdominal wall. However, few data are available on the perioperative and oncological outcomes of specific organ invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 917 consecutive bladder cancer (BCa) patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) at a single institution between 1990 and 2015 were studies. Cox regression analyses were used to stratify pT4ab according to the site of invasion and survival. RESULTS: Overall, 176 (19.2%) and 40 (4.4%) patients harbored pT4a or pT4b disease. Specifically, 84 (9.2%) patients reported prostate and/or SVI invasion, 62 (6.8%) prostate only, 16 (1.7%) uterus, 14 (1.5%) vaginal, 24 (2.6%) pelvic wall, and 16 (1.7%) abdominal wall invasion. The median follow-up in pT4 patients was 48 months. The 1-year cancer-specific mortality (CSM) rates were 71, 65, 24, 50, 50, and 72%, for vaginal, uterus, prostate only, prostate and/or seminal vesicles, pelvic wall, and abdominal wall invasions, respectively. At multivariable Cox regression, the invasion of prostate only (hazard ratio [HR] 3.53), prostate and/or SVI (HR 4.98), uterus (HR 7.16), vagina (HR 6.12), pelvic (HR 11.81), abdominal (8.36) were associated with adverse CSM. CONCLUSIONS: Our study described the differences in survival related to invasion site in pT4 patients, confirming poor survival expectancies in this subgroup. Patients with prostate invasion only seem to be associated with better survival than those affected by concomitant invasion of seminal vesicles. Uterus and vaginal invasions were associated with poor survival outcomes. Patients Summary: In this study, we looked at the outcome of locally advanced invasive BCa (stage pT4) in patients treated with RC at a tertiary referral hospital. We analyzed the differences in survival related to the specific organ invasion. We confirmed poor survival in this subgroup of patients. Only patients who had prostate invasion only seem to have a better survival.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) into Italian.

BACKGROUND: The original Spanish version of the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q©) is a validated instrument with good psychometric properties to measure the Computer Visual Syndrome (CVS) in workers exposed to video display terminals (VDT). The Italian version would facilitate research and its use in clinical practice the prevention of occupational hazards. OBJECTIVE: To culturally translate and adapt the CVS-Q© into Italian. METHODS: Study with 5 consecutive stages: Direct translation, Synthesis of translations, Retro-translation, Consolidation by a committee of experts and Pre-test. During the Pre-test, a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on users of VDT (n=40) who completed the Italian version of the questionnaire. Socio-demographic information and exposure assessment to VDT was also collected, as well as on the difficulty to fill in the CVS-Q©. RESULTS: The final version into Italian of the CVS-Q© was obtained. The totality of the sample considered that it didn't present difficulty in its completion and 90% confirmed that no improvement was needed; so that the 15% required to make changes was not reached. The mean age of participants was of 35.80±16.28 (20-65 years), 57.5% were women and 67.5% used VDT at work. A prevalence of CVS of 62.5% was observed. CONCLUSION: The CVS-Q© can be considered a tool easy to understand and manage for measuring the CVS in the population exposed to VDT in Italy.

Surgical treatment for clinical node-positive bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy without neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Growing literature supports good survival expectancies in bladder cancer (BCa) patients affected by clinical node metastases (cN+) treated with multimodal therapy. We evaluated the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in cN+BCa patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: We evaluated a total of 192 patients with BCa and cN+. All patients were treated with RC and PLND without NAC between 2001 and 2013. Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) on recurrence, cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and overall mortality (OM) after surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 99 patients (51.6%) were found without node metastases at RC, while 18 (9.4%), 58 (30.2%) and 17 (8.9%) patients were found pN1, pN2 and pN3, respectively. With a median follow-up of 48 months, in cN+ patients we recorded 5-year recurrence, CSM and OM of 55, 53 and 51%, respectively. Overall, 36 (18.8%) patients were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. At univariable analyses, ACT was associated with improved overall survival [Hazard ratio (HR): 0.42, confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.86, p = 0.02) in pN+ subgroup only. These results were confirmed at multivariable analyses, where ACT was associated with improved CSS (HR: 0.45, CI 0.21-0.89, p = 0.03) and OS (HR: 0.37, CI 0.17-0.81, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We report good survival outcomes in cN+ patients treated with RC. The use of ACT after surgery increases survival expectancies, especially in those patients with pathological node disease. Our data need to be further evaluated in prospective setting.

Impact of Prostate Involvement on Outcomes in Patients Treated with Radical Cystoprostatectomy for Bladder Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the different types of prostate involvement at the time of radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP). METHODS: Data from 893 male patients treated with RCP at a referral center for bladder cancer (BCa) were assessed. Prostatic urothelial carcinoma (PUC) was stratified as stromal vs. urethral/duct involvements. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were built to test the impact of the presence of incidental prostate cancer (PCa) and PUC on survival outcomes. RESULTS: PCa was present in 319 (35.7%) RCP patients, of which 45 (14.1%) had significant PCa disease. PUC was identified in 181 patients (20%): 75 (41.1%) with urethral/duct involvement and 106 (58.6%) with stromal. Within a median follow-up of 72 months, stromal PUC, but not the other forms of PUC or PCa, was associated with worse survival outcomes. In multivariable analyses adjusted for the effects of standard features, stromal PUC remained associated with recurrence (hazards ratio [HR] 2.01, p = 0.03), cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.65, p = 0.01), and overall mortality (HR 1.45, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Prostatic stromal invasion with urothelial carcinoma confers a poor survival expectation to BCa patients after surgical treatment. Conversely, other type of urothelial prostatic invasions or the presence of concomitant PCa does not seem to be associated with differences in survival outcomes.

Comparing long-term outcomes of primary and progressive carcinoma invading bladder muscle after radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of primary or progressive status on recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and overall mortality (OM) after radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle- invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 768 consecutive patients underwent RC as treatment for MIBC at our institution between 2000 and 2012. Primary MIBC was defined as no previous history of bladder cancer and progressive was defined as recorded previous treated non-MIBC (NMIBC) that had progressed to MIBC. The median follow-up was 85 (60-109) months. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to compare RFS, CSM and OM between these two cohorts. RESULTS: In all, 475 (61.8%) patients had primary and 293 (38.2%) patients had progressive MIBC. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographics, pathological and peri-operative complications (all P > 0.1). The 10-year RFS, CSM and OM rates for primary vs progressive status were 43 vs 36% (P = 0.01), 43 vs 37% (P = 0.01), and 35 vs 28% (P = 0.03), respectively. On multivariable Cox regression analyses, progressive status remained significantly associated with a higher rate of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.79; P = 0.03), CSM (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.07-1.89; P = 0.01) and OM (HR1.42, 95% CI 1.13-1.65; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients treated with RC for MIBC, progressive status was associated with a higher CSM, OM and recurrence rate after RC. The present study thus provides an impetus to improve risk sub-stratification when bladder cancer is still at the NMIBC stage, be it through new biomarkers or improved imaging, as a subset of patients with NMIBC are likely to benefit from early RC.

The impact of re-transurethral resection on clinical outcomes in a large multicentre cohort of patients with T1 high-grade/Grade 3 bladder cancer treated with bacille Calmette-Guérin.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if a re-transurethral resection (TUR), in the presence or absence of muscle at the first TUR in patients with T1-high grade (HG)/Grade 3 (G3) bladder cancer, makes a difference in recurrence, progression, cancer specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a large retrospective multicentre cohort of 2451 patients with T1-HG/G3 initially treated with bacille Calmette-Guérin, 935 (38%) had a re-TUR. According to the presence or absence of muscle in the specimen of the primary TUR, patients were divided in four groups: group 1 (no muscle, no re-TUR), group 2 (no muscle, re-TUR), group 3 (muscle, no re-TUR) and group 4 (muscle, re-TUR). Clinical outcomes were compared across the four groups. RESULTS: Re-TUR had a positive impact on recurrence, progression, CSS and OS only if muscle was not present in the primary TUR specimen. Adjusting for the most important prognostic factors, re-TUR in the absence of muscle had a borderline significant effect on time to recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 0.67, P = 0.08], progression (HR 0.46, P = 0.06), CSS (HR 0.31, P = 0.07) and OS (HR 0.48, P = 0.05). Re-TUR in the presence of muscle in the primary TUR specimen did not improve the outcome for any of the endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective analysis suggests that re-TUR may not be necessary in patients with T1-HG/G3, if muscle is present in the specimen of the primary TUR.

A nomogram predicting the cancer-specific mortality in patients eligible for radical cystectomy evaluating clinical data and neoadjuvant cisplatinum-based chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing number of studies confirming the importance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) in patients before radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BCa), NC remains underused. The aim of our study was to develop a nomogram predicting the cancer-specific mortality (CSM) of patients who underwent RC for transitional BCa, evaluating the available clinical information and the NC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 423 patients who underwent RC and pelvic lymph node dissection, treated or not with NC, in two European high-volume centers between 2007 and 2013. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used to evaluate differences between groups. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess time to cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Uni- (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) Cox regression analyses were developed to address predictors of CSS and OS. A nomogram based on the Cox regression coefficient was developed to show the impact of NC on CSM. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 20.3 months. Our population had mainly pT2 disease (77.1%), and 19.4% had preoperative cisplatinum-based NC. NC showed better CSS at UVA (p = 0.014) and MVA (odds ratio: 0.44; p = 0.043). Overall, the 3-year OS and the CSS rate were 69.3 and 79%, respectively. The nomogram developed to predict the 36-month CSM showed predictive accuracy of 67%. CONCLUSIONS: We developed the first nomogram predicting the 36-month CSM rate in patients with high-risk BCa according to the clinical data. Moreover, we demonstrate that preoperative cisplatinum-based chemotherapy is associated with better CSS.

Intravesical radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Although many treatment modalities and schedules for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) exist, all yet prove to have limitations. Therefore the search for new forms of therapy continues. One of these forms consists of combining intravesical chemotherapy, typically mitomycin C (MMC), with hyperthermia achieved by a microwave-applicator. We aimed to review the current status of intravesical radiofrequency (RF) induced chemohyperthermia (CHT) for NMIBC with regard to efficacy, adverse-events (AEs) and its future perspective. A search for RF-induced CHT in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.gov databases was performed. Relevant conference abstracts were searched for manually. If applicable, experts on the area were consulted. Papers were selected based on abstract and title. A table of newly published clinical trials since 2011 was constructed. No meta-analysis could be performed based on these new papers. Efficacy proved to be better for RF-induced CHT compared to both MMC alone and bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillations, with the latter being based on just one abstract of a randomised controlled trial. The AE rate in CHT is higher compared to MMC instillation, but is similar compared to BCG, albeit different in the type of AE. In almost all studies no severe AEs are reported. Although heterogeneity in methodology exists, RF-induced CHT seems promising. However, alternative methods of applying hyperthermia are starting to present their first results, imposing as effective options too. Intravesical RF-induced CHT may become an alternative for BCG instillation, and possibly for cystectomy, although further level 1 evidence is required for both reliable and reproducible data on efficacy and adverse events.

Does the Compliance to Intravesical BCG Differ between Common Clinical Practice and International Multicentric Trials?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the reasons for intravesical BCG interruption in clinical practice. BCG for at least one year is advocated as the best regimen to treat high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, almost 50% of patients don't complete it. Toxicity accounts for 10% of dropouts in international trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with T1HG NMIBC undergoing 1-year BCG were enrolled in this study. BCG was administered for one year. Toxicity and causes of treatment interruption were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 411 patients were enrolled in the study. Out of these total number of patients, 380 (92.5%) completed the induction cycle and 215 (52.3%) completed one year. Toxicity requiring interruption or postponement was recorded in 25 (6.1%) and 60 (14.6%) patients. Ninety-three patients (30.2%) stopped BCG, 9 (9.7%) for recurrence and 14 (15.1%) for grade-3 toxicity. Intriguingly, 55 (59.1%) patients refused BCG due to mild discomfort and deterioration in quality of social life. CONCLUSIONS: Grades 2-3 toxicity causes BCG interruption in a few cases. Almost 60% of interruptions are attributable to persistent grade-1 toxicity, which is inadequately treated.

Oncological predictive value of the 2004 World Health Organisation grading classification in primary T1 non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. A step forward or back?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical reliability of the 1973 and 2004 World Health Organisation (WHO) classification systems in pT1 bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 291 consecutive patients who had pT1 high grade bladder cancer between 2004 and 2011. All tumours were simultaneously evaluated by a single uro-pathologist as high grade and G2 or G3. All patients underwent a second transurethral resection (TUR) and those confirmed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer at second TUR received bacille Calmette-Guérin. Follow-up included urine cytology and cystoscopy 3 months after second TUR and then every 6 months for 5 years. Univariate and multivariate analysis to determine recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were performed using the Kaplan­Meier method with the log-rank test. RESULTS: G2 tumours were found in 124 (46.6%) and G3 in 142 (53.4%) patients. The mean (median; range) follow-up period was 31.1 (19; 1­93) months. The 5-year RFS rate was 39.1% for the overall high grade population, and 49.1 and 31.8% for G2 and G3 subgroups, respectively. The 5-year PFS was 82% for the overall high grade population and 89 and 73% for G2 and G3 subgroups, respectively. RFS (P < 0.002) and PFS (P < 0.001) rates were significantly different between the G2 and G3 subgroups. In multivariate analysis, only the grade assessed according to the 1973 WHO significantly correlated with both RFS (P = 0.003) and PFS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the 1973 WHO classification system has higher prognostic reliability for patients with T1 disease. If confirmed, these findings should be carefully taken into account when making treatment decisions for patients with T1 bladder cancer.

Development and external validation of nomograms predicting disease-free and cancer-specific survival after radical cystectomy.

PURPOSE: To develop two nomograms predicting disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) and to externally validate them in multiple series. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from a single-centre series of 818 consecutive patients who underwent RC and PLND were used to build the nomogram. External validation was performed in 3,173 patients from 7 centres worldwide. Time to recurrence and to cancer-specific death were addressed with univariable and multivariable analyses. Nomograms were built to predict 2-, 5- and 8-year DFS and CSS probabilities. Predictive accuracy was quantified using the concordance index. RESULTS: Age, pathologic T stage, lymph-node density and extent of PLND were independent predictors of DFS and CSS (p < 0.05). Discrimination accuracies for DFS and CSS at 2, 5 and 8 years were 0.81, 0.8, 0.79 and 0.82, 0.81, 0.8, respectively, with a slight overestimation at calibration plots beyond 24 months. In the external series, predictive accuracies for DFS and CSS at 2, 5 and 8 years were 0.83, 0.82, 0.82 and 0.85, 0.85, 0.83 for European centres; 0.73, 0.72, 0.71 and 0.80, 0.74, 0.68 for African series; 0.76, 0.74, 0.71 and 0.79, 0.76, 0.73 for American series. CONCLUSIONS: These nomograms developed from a contemporary series are simple clinical tools and provide optimal oncologic outcome prediction in all external cohorts.

Office-based management of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC): A position paper on current state of the art and future perspectives.

To the Editor, Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in humans, representing the 7th and 17th type of neoplasm in both genders. Its incidence and mortality are quite heterogeneous in different countries and are due to different risk factors, quality and prevalence of healthcare and the possibility of early diagnosis and treatment of the tumor and its potential recurrences [...].