Gus Miranda

Postoperative nomogram predicting risk of recurrence after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer

PURPOSE Radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) remains the standard treatment for localized and regionally advanced invasive bladder cancers. We have constructed an international bladder cancer database from centers of excellence in the management of bladder cancer consisting of patients treated with radical cystectomy and PLND. The goal of this study was the development of a prognostic outcomes nomogram to predict the 5-year disease recurrence risk after radical cystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Institutional radical cystectomy databases containing detailed information on bladder cancer patients were obtained from 12 centers of excellence worldwide. Data were collected on more than 9,000 postoperative patients and combined into a relational database formatted with patient characteristics, pathologic details of the pre- and postcystectomy specimens, and recurrence and survival status. Patients with available information for all selected study criteria were included in the formation of the final prognostic nomogram designed to predict 5-year progression-free probability. RESULTS The final nomogram included information on patient age, sex, time from diagnosis to surgery, pathologic tumor stage and grade, tumor histologic subtype, and regional lymph node status. The predictive accuracy of the constructed international nomogram (concordance index, 0.75) was significantly better than standard American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM (concordance index, 0.68; P < .001) or standard pathologic subgroupings (concordance index, 0.62; P < .001). CONCLUSION We have developed an international bladder cancer nomogram predicting recurrence risk after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. The nomogram outperformed prognostic models that use standard pathologic subgroupings and should improve our ability to provide accurate risk assessments to patients after the surgical management of bladder cancer.

Radical Cystectomy in the Elderly Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Younger and Older Patients

The authors report their experience with radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder comparing clinical outcomes, including complication rates, among older patients versus younger patients in a high‐volume center specializing in the treatment of patients with advanced carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Super Extended Versus Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Comparative Study

PURPOSE There is evidence from retrospective studies that radical cystectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection provides better staging and outcomes than limited lymph node dissection. However, the optimal limits of extended lymph node dissection remain unclear. We compared oncological outcomes at 2 cystectomy centers where 2 different extended lymph node dissection templates are practiced to determine whether removing lymphatic tissue up to the inferior mesenteric artery confers an additional survival advantage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients undergoing radical cystectomy and extended lymph node dissection with curative intent from 1985 to 2005 were included in analysis if they met certain criteria, including clinically organ confined urothelial bladder carcinoma (cN0M0), pathological stage pT2-pT3, negative surgical margins and no neoadjuvant therapy. Survival and recurrence data were analyzed. RESULTS Demographic data and pathological subgroup distribution (pT2 and pT3) were similar in the 554 University of Southern California and 405 University of Bern patients. University of Southern California patients had higher median number of lymph nodes removed than University of Bern patients (38 vs 22, p <0.0001) and a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis (35% vs 28%, p = 0.02). However, the University of Southern California and University of Bern groups had similar 5-year recurrence-free survival for pT2pN0-2 (57% vs 67%) and pT3pN0-2 (32% vs 34%) disease (p = 0.55 and 0.44, respectively). The overall recurrence rate was equal at the 2 institutions (38%). CONCLUSIONS Meticulous extended lymph node dissection up to the mid-upper third of the common iliac vessels appears to provide survival and recurrence outcomes similar to those of a super extended template up to the inferior mesenteric artery. Complete skeletonization in the extended lymph node dissection template is more important than nodal yield. This does not exclude the possibility that certain patient subgroups with suspicious nodes or after neoadjuvant chemotherapy may benefit from more extensive lymph node dissection.

Enhanced Recovery Protocol after Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols aim to improve patient care and decrease complications and hospital stay. We evaluated our enhanced recovery after surgery protocol, focusing on length of stay, early complication and readmission rates after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS From May 2012 to July 2013 a perioperative protocol was applied in 126 consecutive patients who underwent open radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Nonconsenting patients (2), those with previous diversion (2) and prolonged postoperative intubation (3), and those who underwent additional surgery (9) were excluded from study. The protocol focuses on avoiding bowel preparation and nasogastric tube, early feeding, nonnarcotic pain management and the use of cholinergic and μ-opioid antagonists. Outcomes were compared to those in matched controls from our bladder cancer database. RESULTS A total of 110 patients with a median age of 69 years were included in analysis, of whom 68% underwent continent urinary diversion. Of the patients 82% had a bowel movement by postoperative day 2. Median length of stay was 4 days. The 30-day minor and major complication rates were 64% and 14%, respectively. The most common minor complication was anemia requiring transfusion in 19% of patients, urinary tract infection in 13% and dehydration in 10%. The latter 2 complications were the most common etiologies for readmission. The 30-day readmission rate was 21% (23 patients). Patients 75 years old or older had a longer length of stay (5 vs 4 days, p = 0.03) and a higher minor complication rate (72% vs 51%, p = 0.04) than younger patients. CONCLUSIONS Our enhanced recovery after surgery protocol expedites bowel function recovery and shortens hospital stay after RC and urinary diversion without an increase in the hospital readmission rates.

A Critical Analysis of Perioperative Mortality From Radical Cystectomy

PURPOSE Operative mortality from radical cystectomy has decreased as a result of improvements in surgical and anesthetic care. We reviewed the perioperative deaths from a large group of patients treated with radical cystectomy for primary bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS All perioperative mortalities from radical cystectomy were identified from a single high volume institution. The medical records were reviewed to assess the cause of death as well as possible contributing factors. RESULTS From August 1971 to December 2001, 1,359 patients with primary bladder cancer were treated with radical cystectomy and pelvic iliac lymphadenectomy at our institution. Of these patients, 27 (2%) died within 30 days of surgery or before discharge from hospital. Median patient age at surgery was 67 years (range 47 to 78) and males accounted for 81% of the patients. The median time to death was 28 days from cystectomy (range 0 to 80). Most deaths were cardiovascular related (including acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, arterial thrombosis) or due to septic complications with resulting multi-organ system failure, followed by pulmonary embolism, hepatic failure and hemorrhage. Septic related mortality was most often associated with postoperative urine or bowel leak. While most deaths occurred before hospital discharge, 2 patients died at home due to a late pulmonary embolus. No association was seen between pathological stage or type of urinary diversion and mortality. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative mortality from radical cystectomy is low in this group of patients. Most deaths are due to cardiovascular or septic complications. Careful patient selection and meticulous surgical technique may help decrease the incidence of perioperative mortality.

Radical cystectomy in the elderly: Comparison of survival between younger and older patients

The authors reported their experience with radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. They compared pathologic features and survival rates between older and younger patients.

Lymph Node Dissection Technique Is More Important Than Lymph Node Count in Identifying Nodal Metastases in Radical Cystectomy Patients: A Comparative Mapping Study

BACKGROUND The value of lymph node dissection (LND) in the treatment of bladder urothelial carcinoma is well established. However, standards for the quality of LND remain controversial. OBJECTIVE We compared the distribution of lymph node (LN) metastases in a two-institution cohort of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) using a uniformly applied extended LND template. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Patients undergoing RC at the University of Southern California (USC) Institute of Urology and at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) were included if they met the following criteria: (1) no prior pelvic radiotherapy or LND; (2) lymphatic tissue submitted from all nine predesignated regions, including the paracaval and para-aortic LNs; (3) bladder primary; and (4) category M0 disease. The number and location of LN metastases were prospectively entered into corresponding databases. MEASUREMENTS LN maps were constructed and correlated with preoperative and pathologic characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to estimate overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) among LN-positive (LN+) patients. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Inclusion criteria were met by 646 patients (439 USC, 207 OHSU), and 23% had LN metastases at time of cystectomy. Although there was a difference in the median per-patient LN count between institutions, there were no significant interinstitutional differences in the incidence or distribution of positive LNs, which were found in 11% of patients with ≤pT2b and in 44% of patients with ≥pT3a tumors. Among LN+ patients, 41% had positive LNs above the common iliac bifurcation. Estimated 5-yr RFS and OS rates for LN+ patients were 45% and 33%, respectively, and did not differ significantly between institutions. CONCLUSIONS LN metastases in regions outside the boundaries of standard LND are common. Adherence to meticulous dissection technique within an extended template is likely more important than total LN count for achieving optimal oncologic outcomes.

Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Women Undergoing Radical Cystectomy and Orthotopic Diversion for Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE We compared oncological outcomes in women undergoing radical cystectomy and orthotopic diversion for bladder transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 1990 to 2005, 201 women underwent radical cystectomy, including 120 with an orthotopic neobladder. Median followup was 8.6 years. The clinical course, and pathological and oncological outcomes in these 120 women were analyzed and compared to those in 81 women undergoing radical cystectomy and cutaneous diversion during the same period. RESULTS Overall 3 of 120 women (2.5%) who received a neobladder died perioperatively. In this group the tumor was pathologically organ confined in 73 patients (61%), extravesical in 18 (15%) and lymph node positive in 29 (24%). Overall 5 and 10-year recurrence-free survival was 62% and 55%, respectively. Five and 10-year recurrence-free survival in patients with organ confined and extravesical disease was similar at 75% and 67%, and 71% and 71%, respectively. Patients with lymph node positive disease had significantly worse 5 and 10-year recurrence-free survival (24% and 19%, respectively). One woman had recurrence in the urethra and 2 (1.7%) had local recurrence. As stratified by pathological subgroups, similar outcomes were observed when comparing women with an orthotopic neobladder to the 81 who underwent cutaneous diversion. CONCLUSIONS Orthotopic diversion does not compromise the oncological outcome in women after radical cystectomy for bladder transitional cell carcinoma. Excellent local and urethral control may be expected. Women with node positive disease are at highest risk for recurrence. Similar outcomes were observed in women undergoing cutaneous diversion.

Factors influencing post‐recurrence survival in bladder cancer following radical cystectomy

Study Type – Prognosis (individual cohort)

Urinary Functional Outcome Following Radical Cystoprostatectomy and Ileal Neobladder Reconstruction in Male Patients

PURPOSE Orthotopic neobladder reconstruction is the preferred method of urinary diversion after radical cystoprostatectomy. We evaluated urinary functional outcomes in male patients after orthotopic neobladder using a patient questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 2002 and 2009 patients with bladder cancer were enrolled in a clinical trial, randomly assigned to undergo T pouch or Studer pouch diversion after radical cystoprostatectomy. Male patients were mailed a questionnaire 12 or more months after surgery including items on urinary function, intermittent catheterization, number/size/wetness of pads and mucus leakage. RESULTS The questionnaire response rate was 68%. Mean followup was 4.5 years (range 1 to 8). Only 22.3% of patients did not use pads. In the daytime 47% of patients used at least 1 pad, 32.2% used small/mini pads and 22.6% used diapers. At night 72% used pads, 14.7% used small/mini pads and 38.9% used diapers. During the day and night 47% said their pads were dry/barely wet. Overall 62.5% of patients reported mucus leakage. Only 9.5% of patients performed clean intermittent self-catheterization, of whom 70.6% started clean intermittent self-catheterization within the first year after surgery. Increasing age and diabetes mellitus were predictors of urinary function (p = 0.005 and 0.03, respectively) but did not affect pad use. CONCLUSIONS Ileal orthotopic neobladder offers good functional results but most patients wear at least 1 pad and many require diapers at night. Increasing age and diabetes mellitus predict worse urinary function but are not associated with pad use. Emptying failure is uncommon and occurs early in the postoperative period. Pad size/wetness and mucus leakage should be considered when evaluating urinary incontinence.