Recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer following trans-urethral resection of bladder tumour with adjuvant intravesical chemo-immunotherapy

Abstract

Background: Trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor is an essential diagnostic tool as well as effective treatment modality for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. We aimed to evaluate the recurrence and progression of the non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in Nepalese patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 43 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, who underwent trans-urethral resection of bladder tumour followed by adjuvant intravesical instilla­tion of chemo or immunotherapy between January, 2013 to December, 2018. Patients were divided into low, intermediate and high-risk groups according to the clinical and pathological factors used by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer scoring system. Outcomes were calculated in terms of recurrence and progression in each group.

Results: Out of 43 patients, 11 (25.58%) patients had low risk, 18 (41.86%) patients had intermediate risk and 14 (32.56%) patients had high risk of recurrence categories. No recurrence and progression of the disease noted in low risk group. In the intermediate risk group, out of 18 patients, 4 (22.2%) patients developed recurrence and 2 (11.1%) patients had progression of disease. In high risk group, out of 14 patients, 4 (26.8%) patients developed recurrence and 2 (14%) patients developed progres­sion of the disease.

Conclusions: Even in a low volume centre of bladder cancer, effective treatment for non-muscle inva­sive bladder cancer with trans-urethral resection of bladder tumour followed by adjuvant intravesical chemo or immunotherapy can be given safely to reduce recurrence and progression of the disease.