T1 GIII bladder cancer. Management with transurethral resection only

Abstract

Objective: Transurethral resection (TUR) is the elective procedure in the treatment of superficial bladder tumor. The association of intravesical chemotherapy has no influence on survival and cause specific survival. This study was carried out to determine the evolution of T1 GIII bladder carcinoma treated with TUR only.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 42 consecutive patients with T1 GIII bladder carcinoma. Follow-up was available for 34 patients. No patient received either adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. All the patients were treated with TUR only and followed for a median of 40 months. They were followed by cystoscopy, urinary cytology and intravenous urography.

Results: Forty-seven percent of patients had a solitary tumor while 53% had multiple tumors. Tumor recurrence occurred in 50% with a disease-free interval until the first relapse of 9.6 months. Progression of the primary tumor was observed in 23.5% of patients. The overall survival rate was 73.6% and the cancer-specific survival estimate was 88.2% at mean 36 months of follow-up.

Conclusions: T1 GIII bladder carcinoma may be treated initially with transurethral resection only with acceptable recurrence and progression rates. This would avoid costs and complications of the adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapies.