Organ-sparing strategies in the management of invasive bladder cancer

Abstract

Bladder cancer is the second most common genitourinary malignancy. Radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy is the standard of care in the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, recently, bladder-preservation trials conducted by both single- and multi-institutional groups have gained momentum because of comparable survival and recurrence rates in select patients. While single-modality therapies have failed to provide adequate results, multimodal combination therapies consisting of a thorough transurethral resection with radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy have been promising. Careful patient selection, maximum transurethral resection of bladder tumor, cystoscopic evaluation of response with prompt salvage cystectomy for nonresponders and strict long-term follow-up for complete responders constitute the hallmarks of optimal bladder-preservation protocols. Advances in molecular-targeted therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy hold promise to improve survival and local control and decrease side effects and toxicity.

Keywords::

• bladder cancer
• bladder preservation
• radical cystectomy

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.