Long-term results of a single-center prospective randomized trial assessing efficacy of a shortened course of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical cystectomy in patients with locally advanced bladder cancer

Introduction

This study assesses the efficacy and tolerability of two cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) with gemcitabine and cisplatin after radical cystectomy in patients with a high risk of progression of muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer as compared to chemotherapy at relapse, in a prospective randomized study.

Material and methods

From 2008 to 2013, all patients after radical cystectomy at our institution for primary or recurrent urothelial bladder cancer with stage pT3-4 and/or pN+ on histopathology and without contraindications to combination cisplatin-based chemotherapy, were randomized either to two cycles of gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy or to follow-up and chemotherapy at the time of relapse. The study endpoints were overall, cancer-specific, and disease-free survival.

Results

The study included 100 patients, of whom 53 received AC and the other 47 were assigned to the control arm. Out of 53 allocated to AC arm, 16 patients did not start chemotherapy or received only one cycle of AC. The median follow-up for patients in the AC and control arms was 88 and 86 months, respectively. In the AC arm the hazard ratio for death from any cause, death from bladder cancer, and disease relapse were 0.70 (95% CI 0.45-1.11; p = 0.13), 0.84 (95% CI 0.50-1.41; p = 0.51), and 0.77 (95% CI 0.46-1.28; p = 0.31), respectively.

Conclusions

Two cycles of AC with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with high-risk urothelial bladder cancer after radical cystectomy does not improve overall, cancer-specific, and disease-free survival. Only 53% of patients randomized to AC received the entire planned treatment.

[STATE OF HEPATIC HEMODYNAMICS IN TRANSPLANTATION OF ITS RIGHT PART WITH MEDIAN HEPATIC VEIN]

Peculiarities of regional hemodynamics in transplantation of right hepatic part with median hepatic vein were studied. The blood flow parameters — the volume portal blood flow (VPBF), linear speed of blood flow (LSBF), the resistance index (RI) in hepatic artery; phasic structure of the blood flow along hepatic veins were determined in 31 patients in accordance to ultrasonographic flowmetry data. Maximal value of VPBF was observed on a second postoperative day, minimal one —on the fourth day. Аrterial blood flow have had enhanced immediately after transplantation up to maximal one on the second day, and from second to the fourth day — have had reduced to minimal one. Phasic structure of blood flow along hepatic vein have had changed postoperatively in 12 (38%) patients. Changes in the hepatosplanchnic blood flow after transplantation constitutes a consequence of the vascular resistance reduction, the venous outflow and regenerative activity of the transplanted hepatic part improvement.

[Functional state of the liver in patients, suffering chronic abscess after the organ resection]

The results of treatment of 55 patients, in whom hepatic resection was performed in 2004-2011 yrs, were analyzed. In 30 patients (main group) various kinds of hepatic resection was done for chronic abscess of the organ; in 25 (control group)--hepatic resection was conducted for hepatic tumors. In both groups o patients a comparative estimation of hepatic functional state after the organ resection was conducted in accordance to albumin level in the blood serum, the coagulogram indices, integral ration of transferases activity and a bilirubin content. There was proved, that a hepatic functional state disorders after its partial resection in patients, suffering chronic hepatic abscess, are similar to those in tumoral hepatic affection.

[Morphological substantiation for the surgical treatment of chronic hepatic abscess]

The results of histological investigation, conducted in 27 patients, operated on for chronic hepatic abscess, are presented. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristic of all zones of hepatic affection is adduced, the mechanisms of formation of pyogenic membrane, zones of infiltration and fibrosis in chronic hepatic abscess formation are delineated.