Superficial bladder cancer treated by total cystectomy: tumour characteristics and patient survival

Of 113 patients with bladder cancer who underwent total cystectomy from January 1980 to December 1990, 30 (27%) had superficial tumours (pTa, pTis, and pT1). Nineteen of these 30 patients (63%) were primarily treated by total cystectomy and the remaining 11 (37%) had a past history of treatment for bladder cancer. Major reasons for choice of total cystectomy were multifocal tumours, frequent recurrence, and diffuse carcinoma in situ. Histologically stage pT1, grade 3 tumours were frequently accompanied by carcinoma in situ and often by lymphatic invasion. None of the 24 patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy had lymph node metastasis. Of 25 male patients 15 (60%) underwent simultaneous prophylactic urethrectomy. Two of the remaining 10 males (20%) not undergoing this additional operation died of subsequent urethral recurrence. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 80% for the 30 patients when all causes of death were considered. It was concluded that patients with superficial bladder cancer who undergo total cystectomy without prophylactic urethrectomy require close follow-up with urethral washings for cytology to detect early urethral recurrence, an important determinant for survival.