[Significance of random biopsies of healthy mucosa in superficial bladder tumor].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the characteristics of the random biopsies of normal-appearing mucosa taken during TUR of superficial bladder tumors and to correlate them with the outcome and characteristics of the superficial tumor.


METHODS
Multiple random biopsy specimens from normal-appearing areas of 300 TUR procedures for primary or recurrent superficial urothelial carcinoma were analyzed. Preoperative cytologies were obtained in most of the patients and tumor number, localization, size, stage and grade according to the WHO classification were determined. In patients with multiple tumors, the stage, size and grade of the worst tumor were utilized. Patients who showed a risk of recurrence during follow-up received intravesical therapy postTUR of the bladder. The site and characteristics of recurrence were analyzed and compared with the random biopsy findings.


RESULTS
In 38 superficial tumors (12.7%), significant histological changes were found in the random biopsies of normal-appearing mucosa taken during resection. A significant difference was found between patients with and without positive random biopsies only for tumor stage. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the primary and recurrent tumors, due to the greater number of high and moderate grade tumors in the primaries. There were significant differences in regard to the positive preoperative cytologies between the patients with negative and those with positive random biopsies. No statistical correlation was found between the localization of the superficial tumor and a positive biopsy or between the latter and the site of tumor recurrence. There were 126 recurrences (42%); mean time to recurrence was 13.5 months (median 9.5 months). No significant difference was found (log-rank) for time to recurrence in patients with positive or negative random biopsies, but significant differences were found when we analyzed the number of superficial tumors and the use of intravesical therapy, but not for the type of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple random biopsies permit a better categorization of the tumor and complete staging. The outcome and the decision to administer intravesical therapy following TUR of the bladder are influenced by the foregoing. The practical results of random biopsies, however, are scanty, since the prognostic significance of the histological changes found in these biopsies is not worse than that of the superficial tumor resected. There are, however, a few cases with a higher risk of recurrence and/or progression than the superficial tumor. Preoperative cytology is useful in the selection of these patients. Furthermore, since the proportion of high grade tumors is higher in primary tumors, performing multiple biopsies is mandatory in these cases if previous urine cytology is not available.
Fernández Gómez
J M
JM
Servicio de Urología I, Hospital Central de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, España.
Rodríguez Martínez
J J
JJ
Escaf Barmadah
S
S
Pérez García
J
J
García
J
J
Casasola Chamorro
J
J
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
Significado de las biopsias al azar de mucosa sana en el tumor de vejiga superficial.