Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation: response to chemotherapy and radiation

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

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.

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.

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.