[Oncological outcome of radical cystectomy for BCG failure compared to primary invasive disease]

Prog Urol. 2013 Jun;23(7):456-63. doi: 10.1016/j.purol.2013.03.003. Epub 2013 Apr 19.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: BCG therapy deeply modified prognosis of high-risk non muscle invasive (NMI) urothelial carcinomas. However, these tumors remain potentially lethal. The objective of this study was to compare oncological outcome of radical cystectomy (RC) for BCG failure to primary invasive (PI) tumors.

Material and methods: RC performed between 2001 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological and follow-up data were compared between RC performed for: NMI high-grade recurrence under BCG therapy (ReNMI); MI recurrence (≥ T2) under BCG therapy (ReMI); primary invasive tumors (PI). The three groups were defined according to tumor status on last TUR before RC. All NMI high-grade bladder tumors at diagnosis had maintenance BCG immunotherapy.

Results: Two hundred patients were included, 155 PI, 21 ReNMI et 24 ReMI. Median follow up was 42 months (1.74-135.9). Mean BCG instillations number was 8 ± 4.2 versus 9.5 ± 4.3 for ReNMI and ReMI respectively (P=0.24). Upstaging (≥ pT2) occurred in 33% of ReNMI. The rate of pN+ was 24%, 42% and 30% for the ReNMI, ReMI et PI respectively (P=0.39). No differences were observed between the groups for lymphovascular invasion, extracapsular extension if pN+, soft tissue surgical margins and adjuvant chemotherapy. 5-year cancer specific survival (CSS) was 48% for the ReNMI, 18% for the ReMI and 47% for the PI (P=0.02). Progression to muscle invasion under BCG therapy was an independent pejorative prognostic factor for CSS (P=0.05).

Conclusion: BCG failure led to poor prognosis, particularly when tumors progressed to muscle invasion. Recurrent NMI high-grade tumors seemed to have comparable prognosis than PI tumors because of the high amount of upstaging and nodal invasion. BCG failure is a therapeutic emergency.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • BCG Vaccine / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / surgery
  • Cystectomy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / surgery*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • BCG Vaccine