Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation: response to chemotherapy and radiation.
OBJECTIVE
This review will summarize the literature relating urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation and its response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.


METHODS
The English literature in PubMED was extensively search for articles pertaining to urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation and its response to chemotherapy or radiation. Articles reference lists were then further scrutinized to ensure all relevant literature had been identified.


RESULTS
Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation is generally treated as if it were pure urothelial carcinoma. However, it remains unclear if such mixed histology portends a different prognosis for patients with bladder cancer, particularly regarding the response to chemotherapy and radiation. Initial studies suggested a worse response to such therapy in mixed histology but more recent data has challenged that observation. Unfortunately the literature is limited by the type and quality of the existent studies and mixed results among the data that is available.


CONCLUSIONS
The final word on whether urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation responds differently to chemotherapy or radiation therapy remains uncertain. This important question warrants careful study in the future.
Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. Electronic address: peter.clark@vanderbilt.edu.
Peter E
PE
Clark
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D011878:Radiotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
Chemotherapy; Radiation therapy; Squamous differentiation; Urothelial carcinoma