Superficial Bladder Cancer: Progression and Recurrence

TLDR

The study analyzed 249 Ta/T1 bladder cancer patients, assessing progression and recurrence after initial transurethral resection or fulguration, excluding those who received intravesical chemotherapy following first recurrence. Progression rates varied from 4% to 45% across stages and grades, with significant differences; progression correlated with nontumor dysplasia, tumor size, high grade, lamina propria invasion, atypia elsewhere, positive cytology, multiplicity, and large tumors, all linked to shorter disease‑free intervals.

Abstract

The tumors in 249 patients presenting initially with stages Ta and T1 bladder cancer were analyzed for tumor progression and recurrence. Only transurethral resection and/or fulguration was used before the first recurrence. Patients who received intravesical chemotherapy after the first tumor recurrence were excluded from an analysis of progression. Progression according to stages Ta and T1, and grades I, II and III was 4, 30, 2, 11 and 45 per cent, respectively. All differences were statistically significant. Progression also correlated with nontumor dysplasia and size. High tumor grade, lamina propria invasion, atypia elsewhere in the bladder, positive urinary cytology, tumor multiplicity and large tumors were associated with shorter intervals free of disease.