title: Clinical variables which serve as predictors of cancer-specific survival among patients treated with radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and prostate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have demonstrated conclusively that the stage and grade of transitional cell tumors at presentation are major determinants of survival for those with the disease in the bladder and prostate. The authors initiated a review of 531 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and prostate treated with radical cystectomy between 1969 and 1990 to identify other clinical features predictive of cancer-specific survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient and clinical medical records were analyzed for age, race, gender, clinical T stage, medical history, and presenting symptoms and signs, and admission laboratory values were correlated with the patient's cancer-specific outcome. Both univariate and multivariate analyses of the various clinical factors were performed to identify variables predictive of cancer-specific survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate analysis indicated that clinical T classification, preoperative hemoglobin, tumor grade, irritative voiding symptoms, age, preoperative creatinine, obstructive hydronephrosis on preoperative excretory urography, a history of bladder tumors or nephrouretectomy for transitional cell cancer, prior urinary tract infections, prior pelvic irradiation, and obstructive symptoms were all predictive of poor cancer-specific survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher clinical T classification (T2, T3a, T3b, T4 versus Ta, Tis, T1) (P < 0.001), increasing age (< 65 years versus > or = 65 years) (P < 0.001), the presence of irritative voiding symptoms (P = 0.01), higher tumor grade, lower preoperative hemoglobin level (< or = 12 gm/dl versus > 12 gm/dl) (P < 0.001), higher preoperative creatinine level (> or = 1.5 mg/dl versus < 1.5 mg/dl) (P = 0.002), a history of nephroureterectomy for transitional cell cancer (P = 0.016), and a history of pelvic irradiation (P = 0.002) were all predictive of poor cancer-specific survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although clinical T classification and tumor grade remain the best predictors of survival in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder or prostate, clinical variables such as age, preoperative creatinine and hemoglobin levels, a history of nephroureterectomy or pelvic irradiation, and irritative voiding symptoms at presentation may provide additional prognostic information independent of tumor grade and stage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Thrasher
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Dodge
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Paulson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003404:Creatinine / Q000032:analysis; D015653:Cystectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014547:Urinary Diversion
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D003404:Creatinine