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An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
Adjuvant chemotherapy in lymph node positive bladder cancer.
Ofer N Gofrit1, Walter M Stadler, Kevin C Zorn
1Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, and the Sections of Hematology/Oncology and Biostatistics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. ong1000@netvision.net.il
Urologic Oncology
|April 29, 2008
Summary
Adjuvant chemotherapy after radical cystectomy significantly improves overall survival in patients with lymph node-positive bladder cancer. This treatment is well-tolerated and offers a survival benefit despite study limitations.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Lymph node-positive bladder cancer is often a systemic disease.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy post-surgery may reduce tumor burden but lacks survival proof.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare outcomes of node-positive bladder cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy versus those declining it.
- To evaluate the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival (OS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 67 patients with pN1 or pN2 bladder cancer post-radical cystectomy.
- Comparison between 35 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (gemcitabine/cisplatin) and 32 who declined.
- Analysis of overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint.
Main Results:
- Adjuvant chemotherapy was well-tolerated; 80% completed treatment.
- Median OS was 48 months with chemotherapy versus 8 months without (HR 0.13, P < 0.0001).
- Multivariate analysis confirmed adjuvant chemotherapy as an independent factor improving OS (HR 0.2, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Adjuvant chemotherapy shows promise for node-positive bladder cancer patients post-cystectomy.
- Study limitations (design, patient imbalance) preclude definitive conclusions.
