The association of preoperative serum albumin level and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score on early complications and survival of patients undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial bladder cancer

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and serum albumin level on complications, recurrences and survival rates of patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial bladder cancer (UBC).

Patients and methods: In all, 1964 patients underwent RC for UBC at our institution between 1971 and 2008. Preoperative serum albumin and ASA score were available in 1471 and 1140 patients, respectively. A complication was defined as any surgery related/unrelated event leading to lengthening hospital stay or re-admission. Endpoints were 90-day complication (90dC) rate, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results: The median (range) follow-up was 12.4 (0.2-27.3) years. In all, 197 patients (13.4%) had a low albumin level (<3.5 g/dL) and 740 (64.8%) had a high ASA score (3 or 4). Low serum albumin and a high ASA score were associated with higher 90dC rate (42% vs 34%, P = 0.03 and 40% vs 28%, P < 0.001, respectively). On multiple logistic regression analysis, a high ASA score remained independently associated with increased 90dC rate (hazard ratio [HR] 1.52, P = 0.005) and decreased OS (HR 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.86). A low serum albumin level was also independently associated with RFS (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.16-2.43) and OS (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.43-2.63).

Conclusion: A low serum albumin level was independently associated with cancer recurrence and decreased OS after RC. A high ASA score was also independently associated with decreased OS. These parameters potentially could be used as prognosticators after RC.

Keywords: ASA score; cystectomy; serum albumin; urothelial carcinoma.