Bladder tumour resection weight as a prognostic factor for recurrence and progression in patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder treated with BCG

INTRODUCTION

Predicting outcomes of patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) is critical. Here, we evaluate whether bladder tumor resection weight might serve as a prognostic factor for recurrence and progression of HR-NMIBC patients treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG).

METHODS

In this retrospective, single-centre study in the UK, we analysed a consecutive cohort of HR-NMIBC patients who have received adequate intravesical BCG immunotherapy between 2009 and 2019. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association of resection weight and established predictors with recurrence and progression.

RESULTS

A total of 187 HR-NMIBC patients were analysed. The median resection weight was 1.4g (range: 0.2-28.5g). Within a median follow-up of 41 months, 58 (31%) tumors recurred and 19 (10%) progressed. Fifty-four patients (29%) died from any cause and 16 (9%) died from bladder cancer. Both the risk of recurrence (P = .007) and progression (P = .019) increased with rising resection weight. On the multivariable analysis, a resection weight of ≥ 2g and ≥ 3g conferred a 4.35-fold and a 9.03-fold increased risk of bladder cancer recurrence (P < .001) and progression (P < .001), respectively. The addition of resection weight improved the C index of multivariable standard prognostic models to a clinically significant extent (+ 3.8% for recurrence, + 4.3% for progression).

CONCLUSION

In our HR-NMIBC patient cohort treated with BCG, bladder tumor resection weight was associated with disease recurrence and progression. Its addition improves discrimination of standard prognostic factors. Measurement may therefore be considered for routine clinical practice.

The natural history of muscle-invasive bladder cancer in geriatric patients undergoing transurethral resection only: Outcome and cost

PURPOSE

Bladder cancer is predominant in the elderly. Up to 70% of geriatric patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer do not receive curative treatment. We analyzed the outcome of patients managed only by transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) without chemo- or radio-therapy, and performed a cost analysis of the cumulative inpatient interventions throughout the course of the disease.

METHODS

From 2010 to 2016 81 patients ≥75 years with de novo muscle-invasive bladder cancer who were not eligible for curative treatment options were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were treated only with TURBT. Overall survival (OS) was measured by Kaplan-Meier plots (log-rank test) and clinical parameters predicting OS by a multivariate analysis. The cost analysis was based on actual billing from the hospital provider and referenced standardized pricing in Germany for bladder cancer treatment.

RESULTS

The median age was 83 years. The OS was 11 months, the 1-year OS was 42%. In the multivariate model Charlson Comorbidity Index <8 (P = 0.016), tumor size ≤3 cm (P = 0.011), complete (T0) tumor resection (P = 0.003), normal C-reactive protein level (P = 0.010), and initial elective surgery (P = 0.035) were shown to be independent predictors of longer OS in palliative TURBT regimes. Median treatment cost for the TURBT regimen was $16,175 vs. $16,467 for a salvage radical cystectomy in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In a TURBT-only concept elective surgery, tumor size, Charlson Comorbidity Index, C-reactive protein level and complete TURBT are independent predictors of OS. The treatment-related cumulative cost appears to be higher in patients not managed by cystectomy.

The value of tumour weight as a predictive factor for recurrence and progression in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Objective: To further assess the influence of the weight after TURBT as a predictive factor for recurrence and progression in NMIBC.Materials and methods: A cohort of patients with a first episode of NMIBC between 1999 and 2016 was analysed retrospectively. We studied the correlation between the tumour's size and weight, the time-dependent ROC curves for the optimal weight value for the prediction of recurrence and progression and their association with the risk of recurrence and progression at one and five years.Results: We analysed 470 patients who met inclusion criteria. Median (IQR) follow-up time was four years (2.2-6.7), 227 (48.3%) patients had a recurrence and 46 (9.8%) progressed. Median (IQR) weight after resection was 2 g (0.8-6) and its correlation with size was 0.56. The optimal value for the prediction of recurrence was 4 g. The RFS at one and five years with a weight <4 g was 77.7% and 53.5%, respectively, compared to 57.8% and 34.7% with higher weight (p < .001). PFS at one and five years was 98% and 92.7% for a weight <4 g compared to 91.4% and 83.1% for tumours >4 g, respectively (p = .02). On multivariate analysis, a higher weight was associated with an increased risk of recurrence: HR [95%:CI] = 1.52[1.05-1.86], and progression: HR[95%:CI] = 1.87[1.01-3.47] (p < .05).Conclusion: The weight of the specimen obtained after TURBT is a predictive factor of both recurrence and progression in NMIBC that may be more accurate than tumour size and easily and objectively measured. An increase of 52% and 87% in the risk of recurrence and progression, respectively, was found in tumours weighing more than 4 g.

Correlation of Transabdominal Ultrasonography and Cystoscopy in Follow-up of Patients with Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Cystoscopy (CS) is considered to be the gold standard in the follow-up of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, CS is invasive, time-consuming, and expensive. On the other hand, modern sensitive transducers have improved the imaging of urinary tract rendering transabdominal ultrasonography (US) more effective in visualizing intraluminal filling defects in the bladder than it was in the past. Twenty-five follow-up patients of low-risk bladder cancer meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in study. Ultrasonography of the bladder was performed by a single senior radiologist, and subsequently, these patients were subjected to flexible cystoscopy under local anesthesia. Pain score was calculated for each of the cystoscopies done. Findings of transabdominal ultrasound of the bladder were correlated and compared with those of cystoscopy. Subjects with US and/or CS findings suggestive of recurrence underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) under general anesthesia and confirmation of the bladder carcinoma was achieved by the histopathological examination. Mean patient age was 60.56 years with range of 29 to 77 years. The sensitivity of modern ultrasonographic techniques was found to be 84.61% with specificity of 91.7% taking flexible cystoscopy as the gold standard for detection of recurrence. The accuracy of US was 88% with positive predictive value of 91.7% and negative predictive value of 84.61%. Technological evolution has improved the accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosis of bladder carcinoma. It represents a valuable surveillance tool in selected sub group of low risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients.

Cancer Measurement at Ultrasound: State of the Art

Reliable and reproducible tumor measurement is fundamental in the oncologic decision making. In this article, we first highlight the importance of a precise tumor measurement, reviewing the correct modality of measuring tumor lesions at ultrasound. Then we analyze the measurement discrepancies between ultrasound and pathology as well as the discrepancies reported between ultrasound and other imaging modalities. Thereafter, basing on the existent literature and on our experience, we discuss the factors influencing the tumor size measurements at ultrasound. Finally, we illustrate the current strategies to improve the effectiveness of cancer lesions measurement.