Prevention of bladder cancer: a review.
BACKGROUND
Bladder cancer represents an ideal tumor model to test and apply cancer prevention strategies. In addition to reviewing the epidemiology of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), we review the current status and the future directions of bladder cancer prevention.


METHODS
A literature review of peer-reviewed articles which address bladder cancer prevention was performed.


RESULTS
Pre-clinical and limited clinical data suggest that bladder cancer is responsive to efforts to delay or prevent its development in at-risk patients, and in reducing the risk of recurrence in patients with established disease. Many epidemiologic studies, however, investigating natural products, such as vitamins and herbal compounds, lack conclusive evidence of their chemopreventive effects.


CONCLUSIONS
While many agents hold promise in the prevention of bladder cancer, none currently can be recommended as proven chemoprevention strategies. Improving the accuracy of patient risk assessment and identification of surrogate endpoint biomarkers are crucial to the testing of these strategies. Efficient study design will ensure rapid and substantial advances in the chemoprevention of bladder cancer.
Leppert
John T
JT
Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, CA 90095-1738, USA.
Shvarts
Oleg
O
Kawaoka
Kelly
K
Lieberman
Ron
R
Belldegrun
Arie S
AS
Pantuck
Allan J
AJ
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000639:trends; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004326:Drinking; D002149:Energy Intake; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D059808:Polyphenols; D012307:Risk Factors; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013662:Tea; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014675:Vegetables; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D013662:Tea; D014815:Vitamins