Factors effecting recurrence and progression of high grade non invasive bladder cancer treated by intravesical BCG.
OBJECTIVE
The rate of recurrence in high grade non muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is 70% with progression rate of 15-40% at 5 years. The treatment of high grade NMIBC is intravesical BCG therapy, however for high risk cases radical cystectomy is recommended. In this study we determined the response of high grade NMIBC to BCG therapy and the factors affecting it in south Asian population.


METHODS
This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 64 patients treated with intravesical BCG for high grade NMIBC from Dec 2008 to July 2012. Smoking, tumor size, location and multiplicity were taken as prognostic factors. Recurrence and progression were determined by cystoscopy and upper tract imaging according to European Association of Urology guidelines. The association of prognostic factors with recurrence and progression was determined.


RESULTS
The rate of recurrence and progression was found to 45.8% and 27.1% respectively after a mean follow up 28.36 months. Smokers had 4 times greater odds of progression of tumor as compared to non-smokers. Patients with large tumors had 6.7 times greater odds of progression as compared to patients with small tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Smokers with large and multiple high grade NMIBC constitute the high risk group. These patients may be offered early radical cystectomy and advised to stop smoking.
Muhammad Kashif Khan, FCPS, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center Lahore, Lahore - Pakistan.
Muhammad
M
Kashif Khan
Irfan Ahmed, FRCS, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center Lahore, Lahore - Pakistan.
Irfan
I
Ahmed
Syed Johar Raza, FCPS, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center Lahore, Lahore - Pakistan.
Syed Johar
SJ
Raza
BCG; High grade; Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; Progression; Recurrence