Unsuspected bladder carcinoma in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy

Unsuspected synchronous transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was discovered between January 1991 and June 1993 in 4 patients who were candidates for radical prostatectomy. Each of these patients had multiple urinalyses that did not demonstrate hematuria. During the 2 1/2-year period these patients represented 1.2% of all radical prostatectomies with cystoscopy performed preoperatively. Using the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data the expected number of bladder neoplasms was estimated. The occurrence of synchronous bladder carcinoma observed in our prostatectomy group compared with age-matched population-based SEER data demonstrates a statistically significant difference as analyzed by the chi-square test (p < 0.001). Management of these superficial bladder tumors included transurethral resection before radical prostatectomy. All patients were free of prostatic and urothelial malignancy at 6 to 24 months. The finding of an unsuspected bladder malignancy in a radical prostatectomy candidate should be addressed first and further therapy should be guided by the stage of the bladder neoplasm. Cystoscopy provides information regarding bladder pathological findings, the status and location of the ureteral orifices, preexisting urethral pathological conditions and tumor encroachment on the urethra. The ideal time to perform cystoscopy is in the office before the scheduled date of surgery. Given the low morbidity and cost, cystoscopy should be performed before radical prostatectomy.