Prognostic factors for survival in patients with recurrence of muscle invasive bladder cancer after treatment with curative intent.

UNLABELLED: Prognostic factors for survival after recurrent MIBC are unknown and were evaluated using a population-based series of 1409 MIBC patients. 330 Patients who underwent RC or RT with curative intent and who suffered from recurrence were selected. Multivariable survival analyses were performed. Clinicopathological factors that predict survival after recurrence are recurrence location, treatment for recurrence and age at recurrence diagnosis.

PURPOSE: We conducted this study to evaluate the prognostic factors for survival among patients with recurrent muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after initial treatment with curative intent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data were collected from a population-based series of 1409 patients with MIBC. We selected 330 patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) or radiotherapy (RT) for urothelial carcinoma with curative intent and who experienced recurrence. Multivariate survival analyses were performed with death from MIBC as the endpoint. Covariates were gender, time to recurrence, age at diagnosis of recurrence, recurrence multiplicity, localization, and treatment for recurrence. Analyses were performed separately for patients initially treated with RC (i-RC) or external beam radiotherapy (i-EBRT).

RESULTS: Patients with recurrence after i-RC showed a 1- and 3-year survival of 17% and 6%, respectively. Localization and treatment for recurrence were significantly associated with survival. Patients with recurrence after i-EBRT showed a 1- and 3-year survival of 31% and 12%, respectively. Age at diagnosis of recurrence, localization, and treatment for recurrence were significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms the extremely poor prognosis after recurrence of MIBC in patients initially treated with surgery or RT. Clinicopathologic factors that predict survival after disease recurrence are location of recurrence, treatment for recurrence, and age at diagnosis of recurrence. Improved diagnosis of primary MIBC to detect extravesical disease and more effective therapeutic approaches to target recurrent MIBC are needed.