title: Bladder cancer. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology.
abstract: Urothelial tumors represent a spectrum of diseases with a range of prognosis. After a diagnosis is established at any point within the urothelial tract, the patient remains at risk for developing a new lesion at a different or the same location and at a similar or more advanced stage. Continued monitoring for recurrence is an essential part of management, because most recurrences are superficial and can be managed endoscopically. Within each category of disease, more refined methods to determine prognosis and guide management, based on molecular staging, are under development with the goal of optimizing the individual patient's likelihood of cure and chance for organ preservation. For patients with more extensive disease, newer treatments typically involve combined-modality approaches, using recently developed surgical procedures, or three-dimensional treatment planning for more precise delivery of radiation therapy. Although these are not appropriate in all cases, they do offer the promise of an improved quality of life and prolonged survival. Finally, within the category of metastatic disease, a number of new agents have been identified that appear to be superior to those currently considered to be standard therapies. Experts believe, therefore, that the treatment of urothelial tumors will evolve rapidly over the next few years, with improved outcomes for patients at all stages of disease.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Montie
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bahnson
authors.forename: Samuel M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drucker
authors.forename: Mario A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Eisenberger
authors.forename: Rizk
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Galley
authors.forename: Harry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Herr
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hudes
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kuzel
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.forename: Jerome P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Richie
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seigne
authors.forename: William U
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Shipley
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Trump
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Walther
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015653:Cystectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*