Recent developments in advanced urothelial cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Metastatic or unresectable urothelial cancer of the urinary bladder has traditionally been treated with systemic chemotherapy, which is most often platinum-based. The long-term survival data and the associated toxicities from this form of therapy have spurred continuing interest in finding novel treatment options for this malignancy.


RESULTS
Recently, trials of new chemotherapy combinations, many incorporating platinum analogs or deleting platinum entirely, have been reported. None has yet been shown to be superior to cisplatin-based regimens. In addition, recent advances in imaging and laboratory technologies have provided new avenues to understand urothelial cancer behavior and prognosis. These advances provide optimism for improvements in the diagnosis, staging, and ultimately, selection of therapy for patients with urothelial cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
This review will summarize recent developments (circa 2004) in the diagnosis and management of advanced bladder cancer.
Chee
Karen Giselle
KG
University of California Davis Cancer Center, Sacramento, 95817, USA. Karen.chee@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Cambio
Angelo
A
Lara
Primo N
PN
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin