Andreas Thorstenson

A population-based study of 538 patients with newly detected urinary bladder neoplasms followed during 5 years.

OBJECTIVE To describe in detail the diagnosis and clinical course of an unselected population-based cohort of patients with newly diagnosed bladder neoplasms. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 538 patients registered in the Stockholm region with newly diagnosed primary bladder neoplasms (transitional cell carcinomas) in 1995 and 1996 were followed for at least 5 years. All hospitals and urology units in the region participated in the study. Treatment and follow-up were performed according to a standard-of-care programme. Routine pathological reports were used. Original case records were scrutinized on location in 2001. In addition, a tumour bank of freshly frozen tumour tissue was established. RESULTS The calculated 5-year cancer-specific survival rate for the 538 patients in the cohort was 78%. No patient (0/29) with TaG1 tumours showed progression or died of bladder cancer. Only 2/187 patients (1%) with stage Ta and grade 2A or 2B tumours died of bladder cancer. In contrast, after 5 years of follow-up, patients with TaG3 and T1G2B tumours had disease-specific death rates of 20% and 27%, respectively. The result of the first cystoscopy examination after the initial resection of non-invasive tumours was of prognostic value. Recurrent disease was present in 62% (248/402) of all patients with Ta and T1 tumours at diagnosis and patients with T1 tumours had recurrences earlier than those with Ta tumours. Moreover, 32% (35/110) of the patients who presented with T1 tumours at diagnosis progressed to muscle-invasive disease during the follow-up period. The overall prognosis for patients presenting with muscle-invasive tumours (T2+) was dismal, with 69% (80/116) of the patients dying of the disease. CONCLUSIONS We analysed a population-based cohort of patients with urinary bladder neoplasms in order to establish a clearly defined and unselected clinical series, with the main aims of comparing and evaluating the clinical utility of new molecular biology techniques. In the present series, TaG1 tumours behaved benignly. The disease-specific mortality rate was low for initial TaG2 tumours, intermediate for initial TaG3 and T1 tumours and high for initial T2+ tumours.

Tumour characteristics and surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma in Sweden 2005–2010: a population-based study from the National Swedish Kidney Cancer Register

Abstract Objective. Tumour characteristics, preoperative work-up and surgical treatment in patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) between 2005 and 2010, and changes over time were studied in a national population-based cohort. Material and methods. The National Swedish Kidney Cancer Register (NSKCR) contains information on histopathology, Fuhrman grade and clinical stage at presentation, and on the preoperative work-up and surgical treatment of patients with RCC. Between 2005 and 2010, 5553 RCC patients were registered in the NSKCR, 99% of those registered in the National Cancer Registry. Results. During the study period the mean tumour size decreased from 70 to 64 mm (p = 0.024) and the frequency of metastatic RCC decreased from 22% to 15% (p < 0.001). The use of preoperative chest computed tomography increased from 59% to 84%. In total, 4229 (76%) patients were treated with curative intent, 3453 (82%) underwent radical nephrectomy, 606 (14%) partial nephrectomy (PN) and 170 (4%) cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation. In tumours up to 4 cm, PN was performed in 33% of the surgically treated patients. PN irrespective of size increased from 8% to 20% and laparoscopic nephrectomy increased from 6% to 17% during the period. In patients with metastatic RCC, 55% underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy. Conclusions. The NSKCR explores population-based data on the clinical handling of patients with RCC. This study, between 2005 and 2010, shows significant decrease in tumour size and metastatic RCC at presentation, a more complete preoperative work-up, and significantly increased use of PN and laparoscopic nephrectomy in Sweden.

Risk of in-hospital complications after radical cystectomy for urinary bladder carcinoma: population-based follow-up study of 7608 patients

To evaluate the risk of different in‐hospital complications for patients undergoing a radical cystectomy (RC), as limited nationwide population data on short‐ and long‐term complications after RC is available, despite it being the standard treatment for localised muscle‐invasive urinary bladder cancer (UBC).

Incidence of fractures causing hospitalisation in prostate cancer patients: results from the population-based PCBaSe Sweden.

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer patients have an increased risk of fractures as a consequence of skeletal metastases and osteoporosis induced by endocrine treatment. Data on incidence of fractures and risks in subgroups of men with prostate cancer are sparse. Our aim with this study is to report the risk of fractures among men with prostate cancer in a nationwide population-based study. PATIENTS AND METHODS We identified 76,600 Swedish men diagnosed with prostate cancer 1997-2006 in the Prostate Cancer Data Base (PCBaSe) Sweden and compared the occurrence of fractures requiring hospitalisation with the Swedish male population. RESULTS Only men treated with gonadotropin releasing-hormone (GnRH) agonists or orchiectomy had increased incidence and increased relative risk of fractures requiring hospitalisation. Men treated with GnRH agonists had 9.8 and 6.3/1000 person-years higher incidence of any fracture and hip fracture requiring hospitalisation than the general population. The corresponding increases in incidence for men treated with orchiectomy were 16 and 12/1000 person-years, respectively. Men treated with orchiectomy, GnRH agonists, and antiandrogen monotherapy, had SIR for hip fracture of 2.0 (95% Confidence Interval 1.8-2.2), 1.6 (95% CI 1.5-1.8) and 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.1), respectively. Men treated with a curative intent (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy) or managed with surveillance had no increased risk of fractures. Older men had the highest incidence of fractures while younger men had the highest relative risk. CONCLUSION Prostate cancer patients treated with GnRH agonists or orchiectomy have significantly increased risk of fractures requiring hospitalisation while patients treated with antiandrogen monotherapy had no increase in such fractures. In absolute terms the excess risk in men treated with GnRH agonists corresponded to almost 10 extra fractures leading to hospitalisation per 1000 patient-years. Effects on bone density should be considered for men on long-term endocrine treatment. Unwarranted use of orchiectomy and GnRH agonists should be avoided.

Diagnostic random bladder biopsies: Reflections from a population-based cohort of 538 patients

Abstract Objective. To assess whether diagnostic random bladder biopsies and the detection of concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) have an impact on the frequency of intravesical bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) instillations or radical cystectomy; and whether this affects the cancer-specific survival in patients with pTaG3 or pT1G1–G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Material and methods. A population-based cohort of 538 patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer was prospectively registered in the Stockholm County during 1995 and 1996 and followed for more than 5 years. Results. Random biopsies were recommended in all patients but the decision to take biopsies was made by the treating urologist and hence performed in 326 out of 538 patients (61%), which revealed concomitant CIS in 47 patients(14%). Sixty out of 103 (58%) patients with pTaG3 or pT1G1–G3 tumours, in whom random biopsies were performed, received intravesical BCG compared with five out of 22 patients (23%) where random biopsies were not taken (p = 0.004). Moreover, 23 out of 103 patients (22%) with pTaG3 or pT1G1–G3 tumours in whom random biopsies were performed underwent radical cystectomy compared with none out of 22 patients (0%) without random biopsies (p = 0.013). The Cox proportional hazard ratio for death due to bladder cancer in patients with pTaG3 or pT1G1–G3 tumours among patients not having versus having undergone random biopsies was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.1–5.6). Conclusion. Patients diagnosed in Stockholm in 1995 or 1996 with pTaG3 or pT1G1–G3 bladder tumours having undergone random bladder biopsies more frequently underwent BCG treatment and radical cystectomy and had higher cancer-specific survival than patients who did not undergo random biopsies.

Cancer Specific Mortality in Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer before Age 50 Years: A Nationwide Population Based Study

Purpose: We compared clinical characteristics and cancer specific mortality in men diagnosed with prostate cancer before vs after age 50 years. Materials and Methods: A total of 919 men 35 to 49 years old and 45,098 men 50 to 66 years old who were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1998 and 2012 were identified in PCBaSe (Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden). Cancer specific mortality was compared among age groups (35 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 63 and 64 to 66 years) with and without adjusting for cancer characteristics, comorbidity and education in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Clinical cancer characteristics indicated that most nonmetastatic cancer in men younger than 50 years was detected after prostate specific antigen testing. The proportion of nonmetastatic vs metastatic disease at diagnosis was similar in all age groups. A strong association between younger age and poor prognosis was apparent in men in whom metastatic disease was diagnosed before age 50 to 55 years. The crude and adjusted HRs of cancer specific mortality were 1.41 (95% CI 1.12–1.79) and 1.28 (95% CI 1.01–1.62) in men diagnosed before age 50 and at age 50 to 59 years, respectively. In men with nonmetastatic disease crude cancer specific mortality increased with older age but adjusted cancer specific mortality was similar in all age groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that an aggressive form of metastatic prostate cancer is particularly common in men younger than 50 to 55 years. Genetic studies and trials of intensified systemic treatment are warranted in this patient group.

Gender-related differences in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: a population-based study from the Swedish National Registry of Urinary Bladder Cancer

Abstract Objective: The aim of this investigation was to describe tumour characteristics, treatments and survival in patients with urinary bladder cancer (UBC) in a national population-based cohort, with special reference to gender-related differences. Material and methods: All primary UBC patients with urothelial pathology reported to the Swedish National Registry of Urinary Bladder Cancer (SNRUBC) from 1997 to 2011 were included in the study. Groups were compared regarding tumour, node, metastasis classification, primary treatment and survival. Results: In total, 30,310 patients (74.9% male, 25.1% female) with UBC were analysed. A larger proportion of women than men had stage T2–T4 (p < 0.001), and women also had more G1 tumours (p < 0.001). However, compared to women, a larger proportion of men with carcinoma in situ or T1G3 received intravesical treatment with bacillus Calmette–Guérin or intravesical chemotherapy, and a larger proportion of men with stage T2–T4 underwent radical cystectomy (38% men vs 33% women, p < 0.0001). The cancer-specific survival at 5 years was 77% for men and 72% for women (p < 0.001), and the relative survival at 5 years was 72% for men and 69% for women (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this population-based cohort comprising virtually all patients diagnosed with UBC in Sweden between 1997 and 2011, female gender was associated with inferior cancer-specific and relative survival. Although women had a higher rate of aggressive tumours, a smaller proportion of women than men received optimal treatment.

Impact of quality indicators on adherence to National and European guidelines for renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective: The aim of this population-based study was to evaluate the impact of quality indicators on the adherence to guidelines for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Material and methods: Since 2005, virtually all patients with newly diagnosed RCC in Sweden have been registered in the National Swedish Kidney Cancer Register (NSKCR). The register contains information on histopathology, nuclear grade, clinical stage, preoperative work-up, treatment, recurrence and survival. In addition, a number of quality indicators have been measured in the register aiming to increase the quality of care. The quality indicators are: the coverage of the register, histology reports, preoperative chest computed tomography (CT), partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic surgery, centralization to high-volume hospitals and waiting times. Results: A total of 8556 patients with diagnosed RCC were registered from 2005 to 2013 (99% coverage). In 2013, 99% of the histopathology reports were standardized. The number of patients with preoperatively chest CT increased from 59% in 2005 to 89% in 2013. The proportion of patients with RCC T1aN0M0 who underwent partial nephrectomy increased from 22% in 2005 to 56% in 2013. Similarly, laparoscopic radical nephrectomies increased from 6% in 2005 to 24% in 2013. The median tumour size at detection decreased from 60 mm in 2005 to 55 mm in 2013. The proportion of patients who were incidentally detected increased from 43% in 2005 to 55% in 2013. Conclusions: The data show an improved adherence to the guidelines for RCC as measured by quality indicators and a steady process of earlier detection of patients with RCC.

Gastrointestinal function and metabolic control after construction of an orthotopic ileal neobladder in bladder cancer

Objective. To investigate the effects of ileum resection in orthotopic neobladder construction on gastrointestinal function and metabolic control. Material and methods. We included 28 patients who underwent radical cystectomy and construction of an orthotopic neobladder or continent ileal reservoir for bladder cancer. As controls, 10 patients endoscopically treated for non-invasive bladder cancer (TaG2) were enrolled. Gastrointestinal symptoms, enterohepatic bile salt circulation, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal hormones involved in metabolic control were monitored. Results. Of the cystectomy patients, 25% experienced daily diarrhoea and faecal urgency due to bile acid malabsorption, compared to 0% of the controls (p=0.013). The cystectomy patients experienced faster gastric emptying and had higher levels of peptide YY. Plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose were unchanged. Conclusions. Using the distal ileum for orthotopic neobladder construction causes bowel disorders in a quarter of cystectomy patients. Diarrhoea and faecal urgency are probably caused by decreased reabsorption of bile and are not due to changes in gastrointestinal hormones. A sizeable proportion of patients develop bile salt-induced diarrhoea, which can be relieved by treatment with cholestyramine.

Clinical outcome following prostatic capsule- and seminal-sparing cystectomy for bladder cancer in 25 men

Objective. To improve the functional outcome after cystectomy for bladder cancer, cystectomy was performed with a prostatic capsule- and seminal-sparing approach. This report describes the clinical outcome of the first 25 patients. Material and methods. A total of 25 male patients underwent cystectomy with preservation of the seminal vesicles, posterior prostate and neurovascular bundles. Orthotopic neobladders were used to divert the urine. At the time of last follow-up, patients were interviewed in a standard fashion to evaluate urinary, bowel and sexually related symptoms. Results. During the follow-up period (mean 72 months, range 33–129) five patients developed metastases and died of bladder cancer. Four men were diagnosed with concomitant prostate cancer. Complete day-time continence was reported in 17/20 (85%) patients. Complete nocturnal continence was seen in 10/20 (50%) men. A total of 20/21 (95%) were sexually active following prostate-sparing cystectomy. Conclusion. Prostatic capsule- and seminal-sparing cystectomy appears to combine acceptable oncological outcome with satisfactory function of the lower urinary tract; however, standard radical cystectomy still represents the gold standard.