Recurrence of high‐risk bladder cancer: A population‐based analysis

• Published in: Cancer 2013-09, Vol.119 (17), p.3219-3227
• Main Authors: Chamie, Karim, Litwin, Mark S., Bassett, Jeffrey C., Daskivich, Timothy J., Lai, Julie, Hanley, Jan M., Konety, Badrinath R., Saigal, Christopher S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; bladder cancer mortality; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Medical sciences; Morbidity; Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects); Multivariate Analysis; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - epidemiology; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - ethnology; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - mortality; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - pathology; Neoplasm Staging; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Odds Ratio; progression; quality of healthcare; recurrence; Risk Factors; SEER Program; Sex Factors; Survival Rate; Time Factors; Tumors; Tumors of the urinary system; United States - epidemiology; urinary bladder neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - epidemiology; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - ethnology; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - mortality; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - pathology; Urinary tract. Prostate gland
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.28147

BACKGROUND Patients with bladder cancer are apt to develop multiple recurrences that require intervention. The recurrence, progression, and bladder cancer–related mortality rates were examined in a cohort of individuals with high‐grade non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. METHODS Using linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare data, subjects were identified who had a diagnosis of high‐grade, non–muscle‐invasive disease in 1992 to 2002 and who were followed until 2007. Multivariate competing‐risks regression analyses were then used to examine recurrence, progression, and bladder cancer–related mortality rates. RESULTS Of 7410 subjects, 2897 (39.1%) experienced a recurrence without progression, 2449 (33.0%) experienced disease progression, of whom 981 succumbed to bladder cancer. Using competing‐risks regression analysis, the 10‐year recurrence, progression, and bladder cancer–related mortality rates were found to be 74.3%, 33.3%, and 12.3%, respectively. Stage T1 was the only variable associated with a higher rate of recurrence. Women, black race, undifferentiated grade, and stage Tis and T1 were associated with a higher risk of progression and mortality. Advanced age (≥ 70) was associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer–related mortality. CONCLUSIONS Nearly three‐fourths of patients diagnosed with high‐risk bladder cancer will recur, progress, or die within 10 years of their diagnosis. Even though most patients do not die of bladder cancer, the vast majority endures the morbidity of recurrence and progression of their cancer. Increasing efforts should be made to offer patients intravesical therapy with the goal of minimizing the incidence of recurrences. Furthermore, the high recurrence rate seen during the first 2 years of diagnosis warrants an intense surveillance schedule. Cancer 2013;119:3219–3227. © 2013 American Cancer Society. Even though most patients with high‐grade, non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer do not die of their disease, the vast majority endures the morbidity of recurrence and progression of their cancer. Increasing efforts should be made to minimize the incidence of recurrence and progression of disease.