Ahmed Mosbah

Radical cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder: 2,720 consecutive cases 5 years later.

PURPOSE We performed a critical analysis of the results of radical cystectomy for invasive bladder carcinoma treated at 1 center. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1970 and 2000, 2,090 men and 630 women with invasive bladder cancer were treated with 1-stage radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Followup ranged from 0 to 34.2 years with a mean of 5.5 +/- 5.7. Survival data were correlated to patient and tumor characteristics using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS Postoperative mortality was 2.6%. Squamous tumors accounted for 49.4% of cases, transitional cell carcinoma for 36.4% and adenocarcinoma for 9.6%. Regional lymph nodes were involved in 20.4% of cases. The 5 and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 55.5% and 50.03%, respectively. Evidence was provided that tumor stage, histological grade and lymph node status are the only independent variables which affect survival probability. CONCLUSIONS Contemporary cystectomy can be performed with minimal mortality. Radical cystectomy for organ confined disease is followed by good therapeutic results and enhances the possibilities for functional restoration. With stage progression there is a stepwise reduction in survival probability. The radical operation can provide disease-free survival for an important subgroup of node positive cases (27.3%). Additional therapy is needed to improve the oncological outcome for advanced locoregional disease.

Bladder tumour staging: comparison of diffusion- and T2-weighted MR imaging

The aim of this work was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI in detection and staging of urinary bladder tumour and to compare DW MRI with the T2-weighted technique. One hundred and six patients with bladder tumour were prospectively included in our study. All patients were evaluated with MR imaging. We started with axial T2-weighted high resolution MR of the urinary bladder, then DW MRI. Two radiologists independently interpreted the MR images, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The accuracy of DW MRI in staging of bladder tumour was evaluated using the final histopathological findings. In DW imaging (DWI) staging accuracy was 63.6% and 69.6% in differentiating superficial from invasive tumours and organ-confined from non-organ-confined tumours, respectively. On a stage by a stage basis, DWI accuracy was 63.6% (21/33), 75.7% (25/33), 93.7% (30/32) and 87.5% (7/8) for stages T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. In the T2-weighted technique, the overall staging accuracy was only 39.6% and accuracy for differentiating superficial from invasive tumours and organ-confined from non-organ-confined tumours was 6.1% and 15.1%, respectively. DW is superior to T2-weighted MRI in staging of organ-confined tumours (≤T2) and both techniques are comparable in the evaluation of higher-stage tumours.

Does the Extent of Lymphadenectomy in Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer Influence Disease-Free Survival? A Prospective Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND Controversy exists regarding the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy and the number of lymph nodes to be retrieved at radical cystectomy (RC). OBJECTIVE To compare the disease-free survival of patients with standard lymphadenectomy (endopelvic region composed of the internal, external iliac, and obturator groups of lymph nodes) versus extended lymphadenectomy (up to the level of origin of the inferior mesenteric artery) at RC in a prospective cohort of patients at a single, high-volume center. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective data were collected from 400 consecutive patients treated with RC for bladder cancer by two high-volume surgeons at Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center. Of the 400 patients, 200 (50%) received extended lymphadenectomy and the other 200 (50%) underwent standard lymphadenectomy at RC. The patients did not receive any neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. MEASUREMENTS Patient characteristics and outcomes are evaluated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Median patient age for the entire group was 53.0 yr. Ninety-six patients (24.0%) had lymph node metastases. Median follow-up was 50.2 mo. Estimates of 5-yr disease-free survival in the extended lymphadenectomy group were 66.6% compared with 54.7% for patients with standard lymphadenectomy (p = 0.043). Extended lymphadenectomy was associated with better disease-free survival after adjusting for the effects of standard pathologic features (p = 0.02). When restricting the analyses to lymph node-positive patients, patients with extended lymphadenectomy had much better 5-yr disease-free survival compared with patients with standard lymphadenectomy (48.0% vs 28.2%; p = 0.029). The study was nonrandomized. CONCLUSIONS Extended lymphadenectomy is associated with better disease-free survival for bladder cancer patients with endopelvic lymph node involvement and should be considered in these patients.

A randomized study comparing an antireflux system with a direct ureteric anastomosis in patients with orthotopic ileal neobladders

Authors from Egypt conducted a randomized prospective study into the benefit of an anti‐reflux system in patients with orthotopic ileal neobladders. They found that anti‐reflux procedures were associated with a higher incidence of anastomotic structures. An editorial comment accompanies this paper, and together the two manuscripts make for interesting reading.

Recoverability of Erectile Function in Post–Radical Cystectomy Patients: Subjective and Objective Evaluations

BACKGROUND Literature regarding both subjective and objective evaluations of erectile function following radical cystectomy is deficient. OBJECTIVE To study the recoverability of erectile function in post-radical cystectomy patients on subjective and objective bases. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between March 2003 and March 2005, 45 male patients with organ-confined invasive bladder cancer were prospectively enrolled in this study. INTERVENTION Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion were offered to all patients (21 patients underwent a nerve-sparing [NS] surgical technique, and 24 patients underwent a non-nerve-sparing [NNS] surgical technique). MEASUREMENTS Patients were evaluated preoperatively using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and using penile Doppler ultrasound (PDU). Patients were followed up regularly at 2 mo, 6 mo, and 12 mo using the same parameters. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Among patients in the NS group, 17 patients (78.8%) were potent postoperatively: 12 patients (57.8%) with spontaneous complete tumescence and 5 patients (21%) with partial tumescence using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5-I) as erectogenic aid; 4 patients needed intracorporeal prostaglandin E1 injections. In contrast, no patients in the NNS group showed spontaneous erection, and they did not improve with sildenafil; all of them needed prostaglandins as an erectogenic aid. The comparison between preoperative and postoperative IIEF domains showed that postoperatively the erectile function and overall satisfaction domains deteriorated initially, but in the NS group they gradually improved with time (p<0.0001). Corresponding PDU findings were comparable in peak systolic velocity during the course of follow-up in both groups. Although the end diastolic velocity was significantly more deteriorated postoperatively than preoperatively in both groups, gradual improvement in patients in the NS group was more evident 12 mo after surgery. CONCLUSION The return of erectile function was better in the NS group on subjective and objective bases. The most significant change was in veno-occlusive function, which improved rapidly and progressively in the NS group during 1 yr of follow-up.

Preservation of the internal genital organs during radical cystectomy in selected women with bladder cancer: A report on 15 cases with long term follow-up

PURPOSE To prospectively present the technique, functional and oncological outcome of internal genitalia sparing cystectomy for bladder cancer in 15 selected women. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 1995 and December 2010, 305 women underwent orthotopic neobladder after radical cystectomy. Of these, 15 cases with a mean age of 42 years underwent genitalia sparing. Inclusion criteria included stage (T2b N0 Mo or less, as assessed preoperatively, unifocal tumors away from the trigone, sexually active young women and internal genitalia free of tumor. Cystectomy with preservation of the uterus, vagina and ovaries and Hautmann neobladder were performed. Oncological, functional, urodynamic and sexual outcome using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were evaluated. RESULTS Definitive histopathology showed advanced stage not recognized preoperatively in 2 patients, who developed local recurrence and bony metastasis after 3-4 months. A third patient developed bony metastasis after 15 months. No recurrence developed in the retained genital organs. The remaining 12 patients remained free of disease with a mean follow-up of 70 months. Among women eligible for functional evaluation, daytime and nighttime continence were achieved in 13/13 (100%) and 12/13 (92)%, respectively. Chronic urinary retention was not noted. The urodynamic parameters were comparable to those in other patients without genital preservation. Sexual function (FSFI) was better in these patients than in others without genital preservation. CONCLUSIONS Genital sparing cystectomy for bladder cancer is feasible in selected women. It provides a good functional outcome, better sexual function and the potential for fertility preservation. So far, the oncological outcome is favorable.

The urethral Kock pouch: long-term functional and oncological results in men

The Department of Urology in Mansoura has a well‐known experience in, among many things, urinary tract reconstruction in patients with bladder cancer. They review their results in 338 male patients who had a radical cystectomy and Kock pouch. They found good functional and oncological outcomes in properly selected patients. However, they also drew attention to several valve‐related complications.

Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging in follow‐up of superficial urinary bladder carcinoma after transurethral resection: initial experience

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)

Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion in women: Impact on sexual function

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of radical cystectomy and different forms of urinary diversion on female sexual function. Material and methods. Seventy-three consecutive patients were included in the study. The mean age was 52.3 ± 6.5 years. All of them had undergone non-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for invasive bladder cancer. Patients were questioned about their current general relations with their husbands in comparison to the preoperative status. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess libido, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and painful sexual dysfunction. Patients were asked about any urinary complaints during or after sexual intercourse. Results. Twenty-nine patients (39%) reported worsening relations with their husbands. The mean frequency of sexual relations was 2.3 ± 2.3/month; however, sexual relations had ceased completely in 19 patients (26%). Overall satisfaction among sexually active women worsened in 32 (59.2%) and was completely lost in eight patients (14.8%). Absent libido, difficult intromission, dyspareunia, lack of orgasm and sexually related urinary complaints were reported in 89%, 63%, 48%, 63% and 63% of patients, respectively. The mean FSFI score dropped significantly from 18.3 ± 5.1 to 11.3 ± 7.4 postoperatively (p < 0.001). FSFI scores were significantly higher among patients with orthotopic versus non-orthotopic forms of diversion and also higher among patients with no stoma versus those with stomal forms of diversion. Conclusions. Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion have deleterious impacts on all domains of female sexual function. Female patients with orthotopic and non-stomal diversions had better sexual functions than those with stomal diversions.

Expression of cell cycle–related molecular markers in patients treated with radical cystectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder

We evaluated the association of p53, p21, p27, cyclin E, and Ki-67 expression with pathologic features and clinical outcomes of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the urinary bladder. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on radical cystectomy specimens with pure SCC from 1997 to 2003. Bright field microscopy imaging coupled with advanced color detection software was used. The relationship between these markers and pathologic parameters as well as clinical outcome was assessed. The study included 152 patients (80.9% with bilharziasis), 99 males and 53 females, with a median age of 51 years (range, 36-74 years). The presenting stage was T2 or higher, and the presenting grade was grade II or lower in 93.4% of patients. Altered cyclin E expression was associated with stages (P = .02), altered p21 with grades (P = .02), and altered p27 with lymphovascular invasion (P = .01). In multivariable analyses, altered p53 expression was the only marker associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence (hazards ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-3.38, P = .04; and hazards ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-5.70, P = .05) and bladder cancer-specific mortality (hazards ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.99, P = .05, and hazards ratio, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-5.54, P = .05) in all patients and in patients with T1-3N0 tumors, respectively. In conclusion, cell cycle-related molecular markers are commonly altered in SCC of the urinary bladder. Only p53 had a prognostic role in patients treated with radical cystectomy for SCC. Our findings support the need for further evaluation of molecular markers and their signaling pathways in SCC.