Tumor multiplicity is an independent prognostic factor of non-muscle-invasive high-grade (T1G3) bladder cancer

Abstract

Objective: Non-muscle-invasive high-grade (T1G3) bladder cancers have high potential for progression. The objective of this study is to clarify the clinicopathological factors affecting the outcome of T1G3 bladder cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 60 cases of T1G3 bladder cancer between 1994 and 2006. The correlations of both intravesical recurrence and progression with prognostic factors, such as T stage, history of bladder cancer, multiplicity, concomitant carcinoma in situ, tumor size, intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin and intravesical chemotherapy, were evaluated by multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Median follow-up period was 52 months (4-105 months). Thirty-seven cases of intravesical recurrence (61.7%) were observed during follow-up. Two- and 5-year recurrencefree survival rates were 44.1% and 36.1%, respectively. Tumor multiplicity and instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin were significantly correlated with intravesical recurrence on multivariate analysis. Ten cases of progression (16.7%) were observed during the follow-up period. Two- and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 87.7% and 83.4%, respectively. Only tumor multiplicity was significantly correlated with progression on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: T1G3 cancers with multiple lesions showed high risks of intravesical recurrence and progression. Although bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation reduced the risk of intravesical recurrence, no effect was observed on disease progression. © The Author (2009). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.