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Updated: Feb 1, 2026
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Culture of Bladder Cancer Organoids as Precision Medicine Tools
Published on: December 28, 2021
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Small cell bladder cancer: should we consider prophylactic cranial irradiation?
Tara Nikonow Morgan1, Robert M Turner1, Julian Baptiste2
1Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Summary
Outcomes for small cell bladder cancer patients are poor, with a median survival of 10 months. Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) may improve survival in some patients, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Small cell bladder cancer (SCBC) is a rare and aggressive urothelial carcinoma.
- Limited data exists on the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of SCBC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe clinical features, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes in SCBC patients.
- To evaluate the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in preventing intracranial recurrence and improving survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 44 SCBC patients treated between 1990 and 2015.
- Data collected included demographics, tumor stage, treatment received, and overall survival.
- Comparison of survival rates based on disease extent and PCI administration.
Main Results:
- 25% of patients presented with metastatic disease.
- Common treatments included systemic chemotherapy (70%), radical surgery (59%), and local radiation (39%).
- Median overall survival was 10 months; extensive disease correlated with poorer survival (8 vs. 36 months, p=0.04).
- Six patients (14%) received PCI, with 33% achieving 5-year survival.
Conclusions:
- SCBC patient outcomes remain generally poor.
- Further research is needed to ascertain if PCI improves overall survival, particularly in patients with extensive disease responding to chemotherapy.
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