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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 32
| Issue : 4 | Page : 164-170 |
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Comparison of trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy for each stage of muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Wen-Hsin Tseng1, Steven K Huang2, Chien-Liang Liu1, Jinn-Rung Kuo3, Shun-Hsing Hun4, Chun-Hao Chen1, Chia-Cheng Su1, Jhih-Cheng Wang1, Kau-Han Lee1, Kun-Lin Hsieh1, Allen W Chiu5
1 Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
2 Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center; Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
3 Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
4 Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
5 Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| Date of Submission | 06-Jan-2021 |
| Date of Decision | 02-Feb-2021 |
| Date of Acceptance | 03-Feb-2021 |
| Date of Web Publication | 14-Dec-2021 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Steven K Huang
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, No. 901, Zhonghua Road, Yongkang, Tainan 710
Taiwan
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/UROS.UROS_8_21
Purpose: Radical cystectomy (RC) has long been the standard of care for the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, an increasing trend of bladder-sparing trimodal therapy (TMT) using maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumor, followed by radiation therapy (RT) with concomitant radiosensitizing chemotherapy, has been advocated. We compared the differences regarding long-term oncological outcomes between patients who accepted RC or TMT for MIBC. Materials and Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2018, 207 patients were diagnosed with MIBC at our center. We excluded patients with metastasis disease, received other treatments, and lost to follow-up. The patients were categorized into Group 1 (TMT) and Group 2 (RC). Both the groups with each tumor stage were compared for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates, and the risk factors for recurrence and survival were assessed. Results: In total, 58 (48.7%) patients in Group 1 underwent TMT and 61 (51.3%) patients in Group 2 underwent RC. The mean follow-up was 39.8 months. The 3-year DFS rates were 44.1% and 69.7% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.003). The 3-year OS rates were 61.7% and 72.5% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.226). We also analyzed the DFS with each stage, and the results showed a lower DFS rate for T2 and N0 stages. Conclusion: There was no significant survival benefit for MIBC with either RC or TMT. However, RC is associated with better outcome of DFS rate, especially for patients with early stages of MIBC in stages T2 and N0.
Keywords: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer, radical cystectomy, trimodal therapy
How to cite this article:
Tseng WH, Huang SK, Liu CL, Kuo JR, Hun SH, Chen CH, Su CC, Wang JC, Lee KH, Hsieh KL, Chiu AW. Comparison of trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy for each stage of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Urol Sci 2021;32:164-70 |
How to cite this URL:
Tseng WH, Huang SK, Liu CL, Kuo JR, Hun SH, Chen CH, Su CC, Wang JC, Lee KH, Hsieh KL, Chiu AW. Comparison of trimodal therapy versus radical cystectomy for each stage of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Urol Sci [serial online] 2021 [cited 2023 Mar 26];32:164-70. Available from: https://www.e-urol-sci.com/text.asp?2021/32/4/164/332413 |
| Introduction | |  |
In 2019, 80,470 patients were newly diagnosed with bladder cancer in the United States; this type of cancer ranks sixth among all cancers.[1] Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) accounts for approximately 25% of newly diagnosed bladder cancers.[2] For patients with MIBC, radical cystectomy (RC) is widely accepted as the gold standard treatment, but several bladder-preservation treatments, including partial cystectomy, radiation therapy (RT) alone, and transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) with intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin, were also proposed.[3] However, a trimodal therapy (TMT) approach, including maximal transurethral resection followed by concurrent radiosensitizing chemotherapy and RT, is the most effective bladder-sparing strategy in selective patients.[2],[3]
Randomized studies are the best approach for the comparison of RC and TMT; however, such research is almost impossible to achieve.[4] A limited number of retrospective studies compared the therapeutic benefits of various treatments on MIBC,[5],[6],[7],[8] and most of them used databases to assess the overall survival (OS) rate. Notably, these studies encountered difficulties in developing uniform standard treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs or radiation dosages, and following up patient conditions or complications.
In this study, we attempted to analyze data from a single institution to compare each stage of MIBC in patients who received RC or TMT to determine which treatment yielded better oncological outcomes for MIBC. We also used subsequent complications to compare the therapeutic benefits of RC and TMT.
| Patients and Methods | | |
A total of 667 patients pathologically diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma at Chi Mei Medical Center who underwent TURBT between January 2012 and December 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Committee (Chimei Hospital IRB number 10903-005) and Chimei Hospital IRB that gave the waiver for informed consent. The patient composition, case number, and inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in [Figure 1]. Tumor staging was performed in accordance with the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor–node–metastasis classification;[2] 207 patients had muscle-invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma. | Figure 1: Flowchar t of patients who underwent trimodal therapy and radical cystectomy. TURBT: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor, MIBC: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer, (): Number of patients, RT: Radiotherapy, C/T: Chemotherapy, TMT: Trimodal therapy, RC: Radical cystectomy
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The decision to pursue RC, TMT, or other treatments was based on the patients' choice after a multidisciplinary discussion of treatment options by an experienced physician. We excluded patients had metastasis, only choose RT, chemotherapy, or TURBT with intravesical therapy or incomplete treatment, and who were selected for palliative treatment or lost to follow-up. In total, 58 patients (48.7%) in Group 1 underwent TMT and 61 patients (51.3%) in Group 2 underwent RC [Table 1].
Trimodal therapy group
In this group, the patients accepted maximal TURBT followed by radiosensitizing chemotherapy and RT. RT was given as intensity-modulated RT, aimed at delivering approximately 44–46 Gy to the urinary bladder and pelvic lymph nodes (internal iliac nodes, external iliac nodes, and obturator nodes) followed by a bladder boost to a total dose of approximately 66 Gy. Chemotherapy consisted of weekly administration of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. If renal function was impaired, cisplatin was replaced by weekly administration of gemcitabine or carboplatin.
Complications of therapy were graded in accordance with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 for chemotherapy and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) toxicity grading systems for radiation.[9],[10]
Radical cystectomy group
RC was performed additionally with prostatectomy in men, whereas hysterectomy was conducted on the women and included standard (common iliac, external iliac, and obturator) pelvic lymph node dissection, followed by the formation of a urinary diversion. Postoperative complications were graded based on the Clavien and Dindo classification.[11]
These two group patients followed the protocols from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines;[2] computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans for the chest, abdomen, and pelvis were performed at 6-month intervals until the 5th year and annually thereafter. Renal function/complete blood count/comprehensive metabolic panel/liver function tests were followed at 3-month intervals in the initial year. Then, the renal function tests were performed at 6-month intervals until the 5th year and annually thereafter. Cystoscopy and urine cytology were performed at 3-month intervals for the first 2 years, at 6-month intervals until the 5th year, and annually thereafter.
Statistical analysis
The end points were used to assess long-term outcomes after performing TMT or RC for MIBC. Disease-free survival (DFS) and OS rates between the groups were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier curves for each stage of MIBC. With the use of Cox proportional hazards model, multivariate analysis of the risk factors for recurrence and survival was performed. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
| Results | | |
[Table 1] presents the clinical and pathological characteristics of 58 (48.7%) patients in Group 1 (TMT) and 61 (51.3%) patients in Group 2 (RC). The analysis between the two groups showed no significant difference in sex, body mass index, living habit (smoke, alcohol, and betel nuts), survival rate, or length of follow-up. However, patients who received RC in Group 1 were significantly younger (mean: 70.5 and 65.4 years between Groups 1 and 2, respectively; P = 0.01), had a lower score in Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (mean: 4.7 (Group 1) and 3.9 (Group 2); P = 0.03), and lower overall recurrence rate within a mean follow-up of 3 years (62.1% for Group 1 and 36.1% Group 2; P = 0.005).
The DFS rates were 70.7%, 44.1%, and 29.1% in Group 1 at 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up, respectively, and 85.2%, 69.7%, and 57.6% in Group 2 [Table 2]. [Figure 2] shows the Kaplan–Meier curves of the DFS rates for both the groups. The results showed a lower DFS rate in Group 2 compared with Group 1 (log-rank test = 0.003), but the OS rates revealed no significant difference. However, Group 1 (TMT) included fewer patients with stage T3 (10 pts vs. 23 pts) and more patients with stage T4 cancer than Group 2 (RC) (12 pts vs. 5 pts) [[Table 1], P = 0.018]. We separated each stage of MIBC to compare the DFS and OS rates of Groups 1 (TMT) and 2 (RC) as shown in [Figure 3], respectively. Only stages T2 and N0 were associated with a significantly low DFS rate in Group 2 (log-rank test: P < 0.001 and P = 0.001). The DFS rates exhibited no significant difference in stages T3 and T4, whereas N1 and OS rates showed no significant difference in any stage. | Table 2: Comparison of the two patient groups based on recurrence and progression
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 | Figure 2: Kaplan–Meier curve of the disease-free survival and overall survival rates for the two groups
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 | Figure 3: Kaplan–Meier curve of the disease-free survival and overall survival rates for each T and N stage
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As indicated by the multivariate analysis results in [Table 3], patients with high CCI score were at a high risk for recurrence and low risk for survival (P = 0.016 and 0.001, respectively). Patients who underwent RC were also at a high risk for recurrence (P = 0.01).
[Appendix Table 1] presents the side effects of the treatments. Chemoradiation was well tolerated by most patients and showed less toxicity than those at stage 2. Most side effects of genitourinary chemoradiation were radiation cystitis, recurrent hematuria, and the need for operation to check bleeding (7 patients; 12.1%). The most common side effects of chemoradiation gastrointestinal included nausea and vomiting. Four patients (6.9%) needed endoscopy for hemostasis. Most of the patients in Group 1 (TMT) showed no chemoradiation cardiac disorders, but one patient suffered from cardiac respiratory failure after chemoradiation therapy. In Group 2 (RC), the most common postoperative complications were urinary tract infection (18%) and blood transfusion (27.9%). Severe complications were rare, and no postoperative mortality was observed.
| Discussion | | |
In the past decade, the increasing trend of utilizing organ-preserving therapies in the management of multiple cancers has been observed. For MIBC, a multidisciplinary approach has led to the development of bladder-sparing approaches using TMT, which includes maximal TURBT followed by RT with concomitant radiosensitizing chemotherapy.[2] Although several studies reported that TMT can yield favorable results in well-selected patients,[12] no randomized nor retrospective studies determined which patients are suitable for TMT or RC. Several retrospective studies compared the therapeutic benefits of MIBC,[5],[6],[7],[8] and most of them used nonuniform databases, including Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program-Medicare,[5] or National Cancer Database,[6],[7] to assess the survival outcomes. Database studies recognized that the heterogeneity of patient population, large variations in the combined treatments, unbalanced prognostic factors, and nonstandardized reporting of results among the trials may introduce biases, especially in subgroup analyses. Therefore, we compared the oncological outcomes with complications of RC or TMT in each stage of MIBC.
In our study, 58 (48.7%) and 61 (51.3%) patients with MIBC underwent TMT and RC, respectively. The patients who received TMT were significantly older (mean age: 70.5 and 65.4 years for TMT and RC, respectively; P = 0.01) and yielded higher CCI (mean: 4.7 for TMT and 3.9 for RC; P = 0.03). This study was compatible with database research[5],[6],[7]that compared surgery with chemoradiation and which included younger and healthier patients. However, more stage T4 patients were selected for TMT than for RC (12 and 5 patients in TMT and RC, respectively; P = 0.018). This finding presents that in addition to age and health condition, tumor stage would also influence the urologists' option for treatment. As shown in [Figure 3], we separated each stage of MIBC to compare the DFS and OS rates and observed that only tumor stages T2 and N0 showed a significantly lower DFS rate in patients accepting RC (log-rank test: P < 0.001 and P = 0.001). These results also mean that for late-stage tumors, such as T3, T4, or N1, when the patient was young and healthy, RC and TMT showed similar oncological outcomes in terms of DFS and OS rates.
In the comparison of the treatments with TMT and RC, side effects were important factors, but the database studies usually lacked related results. The most common complications of RC were blood transfusion (27.9%), infection (18%), and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN; 11.5%). All complications were classified below Grade 3 Clavien–Dindo outcomes, and most of them can be controlled by conservative treatment. Five patients (8.2%) accepted operation within 90 days for enterolysis or cystorrhaphy, and seven patients (11.5%) received PCN for urinary diversion. All patients were discontinued from undergoing PCN and were discharged within 90 days (mean hospital, 20.9 days). Henningsohn et al.[13] observed that patients who had an orthotopic reconstruction had a better quality of life than those who had an ileal conduit; therefore, most patients in our institution accepted orthotopic reconstruction (62.3%). On the other hand, most of the complications of TMT were nausea/vomit (63.8%), radiation cystitis (37.9%), and infection (22.4%), and all of them were under RTOG grade 3 toxicity [Appendix Table 1]. About radiation cystitis, seven patients (12.1%) had recurrence hematuria and accepted transurethral hemostasis. The average operation period was around 19 months after complete treatment by RT.
In the multivariate analysis results in [Table 3], patients with a high CCI score were at a high risk for recurrence and low risk for survival (P = 0.016 and 0.001, respectively). Patients who underwent RC had significantly low risk for recurrence (P = 0.01) but exhibited no different risk for survival that was corresponding to the Kaplan–Meier curves in [Figure 2] and [Figure 3]. Especially, the early-stage bladder tumors, such as T2 and N0, showed a significantly low DFS rate in the RC group (log-rank test: P < 0.001 and P = 0.001).
In accordance with Aua/Asco/Astro/Suo Guideline, in patients accepting bladder-preserving therapy, the clinician should perform regular surveillance with cystoscopy.[14] This condition means that patients who underwent TMT wound confront physical pain and psychological stress at every 3-month intervals for the first 2 years, at 6-month intervals until the 5th year, and annually thereafter. Messing[15] reported that by evaluation of large databases, review of publications, or examination of individual patient records, diagnosis of any cancer, particularly bladder cancer, induces considerable psychological stress. Vartolomei et al.[16] reported that treatment with RC resulted in reduced depression and anxiety at 1 year after surgery. Williams et al.[17] noted that compared with RC, TMT was associated with higher costs among patients with MIBC. The differences in costs were largely attributed to medication and radiology expenses associated with TMT.
This study had several limitations. First, this research was a retrospective study with small sample size, and patients treated with TMT were old and had comorbidity that could have introduced bias. Therefore, randomized studies are needed to validate the outcomes, although such approach presents difficulty in the study design. Second, Shariat et al.[18] reported that 42% of patients showed stage progression following cystectomy; thus, the TMT group must have been underestimated by cancer staging in our study.
| Conclusion | | |
To our knowledge, this work is the first study to compare the oncological outcomes with complications of RC or TMT in each stage of MIBC. In our study, RC and TMT showed no significant survival benefits for MIBC. However, RC was associated with desirable outcomes for DFS rates, especially for patients in early stages of MIBC, especially T2 and N0 stages.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]
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