Olfactory neuroblastoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma of the anterior skull base: treatment results at the m.d. Anderson cancer center

Updated information on the pathologic characterization and treatment of olfactory neurobiastoma (ON) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) diseases is presented. A series of patients with ON or NEC was evaluated and retrospectively staged using the UCLA system. The parameters evaluated were symptoms, age, sex, risk factor assessment, stage of disease, treatment, and clinical outcome. The median follow-up was 3 years (range, 18 months to 23 years). The predominant therapy (63%) for ON was combined surgery and radiotherapy. Surgery alone or in combination with ancillary treatment was used in 58% of patients with NEC. For the most receat years of the study, patients with NEC have been treated successfully with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Seventy percent of the patients with ON and 75% of the patients with NEC were clinically free of disease during the defined follow-up period. Surgical therapy consisting of a craniofacial resection combined with postoperative radiotherapy has resulted in good local and long-term control of ON. Our experience indicates that combined chemoradiation is an appropriate therapeutic approach for NEC.     

Radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate

This is an analysis of 16 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate who were treated with curative intent by radiotherapy alone (9) or surgery and radiotherapy (7). No patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. Follow-up ranged from 3 years to 19 years with 69% of the patients having follow-up of more than 5 years. Two patients in the radiotherapy alone group developed local recurrences, and both have had long-term surgical salvage. No local failures were seen in the combined therapy group. Twelve patients (75%) are alive and disease-free. Two patients died with distant disease, one within each treatment group. One patient in the combined therapy group is alive at 8 years with distant metastases, while one in the radiotherapy alone group died of intercurrent disease at 12 years. No significant complications were seen in either treatment group. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate is reviewed.     

Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Is adjuvant radiotherapy necessary?

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the optimal management of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether combined treatment with surgery and radiotherapy improves outcome in a multi-institutional cohort of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The secondary aims were to determine by stage, which patients derive benefit from combined therapy and to identify predictors for survival on multivariable analysis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 110 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck was performed. Data were collected from 3 tertiary care institutions (Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney). There were 78 males and 32 females, median age was 70 years, and mean follow-up of survivors was 2.3 years. Sixty-six patients underwent combined treatment, and 44 patients had either surgery or radiotherapy alone. Analysis by stage was performed using 2 staging systems. RESULTS: Local and regional control at 5 years was 84% and 69%, respectively. Combined treatment improved both local (p = .009) and regional control (p = .006). Overall and disease-specific survival at 5 years was 49% and 62%, respectively. Combined treatment was associated with significantly better disease-free survival on univariable analysis (p = .013) When analyzed by stage, patients with stage IIb (primary >1 cm, node negative) disease who underwent combined treatment had improved disease-free (p = .005) and disease-specific survival (p = .035). Predictors of survival on multivariable analysis were age >70 years (HR 6.19, p < .001), primary tumor size >1 cm (HR 7.55, p < .001), number of nodal metastases divided into none, 2 (HR 3.71 per stratum, p < .001). When analyzed with age and disease stage, treatment modality trended toward significance as a predictor of disease-specific (p = .081) and overall survival (p = .076). Disease stage was the most powerful independent predictor on Cox regression (HR 5.43 per stratum, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy. Age and disease stage are the most important predictors of survival. Combined surgery and radiotherapy improves both locoregional control and disease-free survival. Patients with stage II disease appear to derive the greatest benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy, including improved disease specific survival.     

Malignant tumours of the maxillary complex: an 18-year review.

Over an 18-year period, 147 patients with malignant tumours involving the maxillary complex were treated in a combined head and neck clinic, of whom 50 underwent surgery. There were 33 males and 17 females, the mean age was 57 years (range 11-87 years). The most common clinical presentations were either painful facial swelling, infraorbital anaesthesia, palatal ulceration or nasal obstruction. Preoperative investigations included EUA, biopsy and either CT or MRI scans. Of the 50 tumours, 62% were squamous cell carcinomas. Surgery consisted of either partial or total maxillectomy including craniofacial resection in nine patients. Reconstruction was by either split skin grafting or by free tissue transfer when the cranial contents had been exposed. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given in 82% of the patients. The mean follow-up was 5 years and 59% of patients are alive and disease free. The 5-year local control rate was 67%; it was greatly influenced by histological evidence of nerve invasion, local recurrence being the major cause of death. It was concluded that adequate surgical clearance, followed by planned postoperative radiotherapy, is the most effective treatment for malignant disease of the maxillary complex.     

Penile cancer: a case for guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: Aspects of the management of penile cancer remain controversial. In the management of early T1 N0 disease, treatments are divided between amputation and a variety of penis conserving techniques (PCT); local excision, laser techniques, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We report on a retrospective series of patients with penile cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed between 1987-1996. All patients records were retrieved. Data recorded included TNM stage, histological grade and treatment. The end-points were death, nodal progression and local recurrence. RESULTS: Median survivor follow-up of 42 months was obtained. Twenty-six patients (70%) presented with T1 disease, 7 (19%) T2 and 4 (11%) T3 or T4. Inguinal nodal disease was seen in 11 (30%). The mean age was 63 years. Overall, 13 penile amputations were performed, 13 underwent radiotherapy, 6 were locally excised in combination with radiotherapy and 3 underwent local excision alone. Two patients were unsuitable for treatment. Of the total (37 patients) 15 have died; 12 from penile cancer. Ten have suffered disease progression and 12 remain alive with no evidence of disease. Twenty-three patients presented with early T1 NO disease. They were treated with radiotherapy (12), local excision (2), combined radiotherapy and excision (2) and partial amputation (4). Outcome was not significantly related to treatment modality. Spread to the inguinal nodes or local recurrence has occurred in 10, of whom 2 have died. Only 13 (57%) appear disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of the patients and the disease in this series are similar to published series in Europe and North America. There is significant variability in the modalities of treatment used within this series. Local recurrence and disease progression occurs in 43% of T1 N0 lesions. There would seem to be some room for improvement. International data are retrospective and inconclusive with regard to best practice. There is an urgent requirement for randomised controlled trials to improve the outcome of these patients.     

Necrotizing enterocolitis: extent of disease and surgical treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) according to the extent of disease and to establish if resection of the ileocecal valve represents a poor prognostic factor. METHODS: The authors reviewed all cases of NEC (n = 161) treated in our hospital during the last 11 years; of these, 83 required surgical intervention. Definitions used by the authors include isolated, disease in a single intestinal segment; multifocal, disease in two or more intestinal segments; and pan-intestinal, majority of small and large bowel involved. RESULTS: Twenty-five neonates had isolated NEC, 46 neonates had multifocal NEC, and 12 had pan-intestinal involvement. Survival rate was affected by the extent of intestinal involvement, the lowest survival rate (33%) being noticed in neonates with pan-intestinal involvement. In patients with isolated NEC, postoperative complications and survival rate were not affected by the modality of operative treatment. Conversely, in patients with multifocal NEC, survival rate was higher (85%) after resection and primary anastomosis compared with enterostomy (50%; P =.03). Resection of the ileocecal valve was not associated with increased morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Resection and primary anastomosis is a valid treatment option in both isolated and multifocal NEC. (2) Neonates with NEC adapt rapidly to the loss of the ileocecal valve.     

Management of Stage II testicular seminoma over a period of 40 years

ObjectivesTo review the treatment, toxicity, and outcomes in patients with Stage II seminoma after orchidectomy.Materials and methodsA retrospective chart review of all patients with Stage II seminoma referred for initial treatment, from 1965 to 2005, was performed. Treatment approaches, toxicity, and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsA total of 106 patients (83 with Stage IIA, 19 with Stage IIB, and 4 with Stage IIC) were seen between 1965 and 2005. Median age at diagnosis was 36 years (range: 19–71). Median follow-up was 21 years (range: 1.2–42). Eighty-nine patients were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy alone; 13 patients received a combined treatment modality with chemotherapy and radiotherapy after orchidectomy, 4 patients were treated with chemotherapy alone. Generally the treatment was well tolerated, with the main toxicity occurring in patients treated with extended-field radiotherapy. The 5-year disease-specific survival was 96% for the entire group. The 5-year relapse-free survivals for Stages IIA, IIB, and IIC disease were 94%, 72.5%, and 75%, respectively. Fifteen patients developed a relapse and were managed by chemotherapy; 5 of them achieved complete remission and remain free from further recurrence at last follow-up, while 10 died of the disease. Second malignancies were diagnosed in 4 (3.7%) patients during the follow-up.ConclusionsIn Stage IIA seminoma, radiotherapy continues to provide excellent results, as the majority of patients will be cured with this treatment alone. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy should be offered as an alternative to Stage IIB patients. Chemotherapy remains the treatment of choice for Stage IIC seminoma.     

Predictors of locoregional recurrence among patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy

Background Our aim was to identify predictors of locoregional recurrence (LRR) in patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and long-term follow-up. Methods From 1970 to 1994, 1153 patients with stage I to II breast cancer underwent BCT and radiotherapy at our institution. Patients with prior breast cancer or other primary malignancies were excluded. Clinical and pathologic characteristics evaluated were age, race, tumor size, stage, pathologic tumor margins, axillary nodal involvement, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, Black's nuclear grade, type of surgery, and use of adjuvant therapy. Results Of 1083 patients, 54% presented with stage I disease and 46% with stage II disease. Median age was 50 years, and median follow-up was 9 years. Axillary nodes were positive in 31% of the patients who underwent axillary dissection. LRR developed in 6%, LRR followed by systemic recurrence in 5%, and systemic recurrence alone in 13%, 76% had no evidence of recurrence at last follow-up. Age, tumor size, positive lymph nodes, and not receiving chemotherapy or hormonal therapy were independent predictors of LRR. Disease-specific survival among patients with LRR was similar to that among patients with no recurrence. Conclusions Multidisciplinary treatment strategies should be used to accomplish durable locoregional control after BCT. Presented at the 54th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Washington, DC, March 15–18, 2001.     

Base of tongue salivary gland tumors

Salivary tumors of the base of the tongue are encountered infrequently. A retrospective review of medical records from 1955 to 1985 was undertaken to determine the incidence of occurrence and to assess the outcome of the therapy provided. One hundred seventy-eight minor salivary gland tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx were identified, of which 22 (13%) were located in the tongue base. All were malignant. The most common histologic type was mucoepidermoid carcinoma (10 patients), followed by adenocarcinoma (6 patients), and adenoid cystic carcinoma (6 patients). Thirteen patients were available for a mean follow-up of 5 years. Treatment was most often a combination of wide resection combined with postoperative radiation therapy. Ten patients (77%) are alive, one with persistent disease 8 years after diagnosis. Three patients died within 2 years of diagnosis, one with intercurrent disease. Improved control of disease in this series, when compared to previously reported series, is attributed to adequate surgical therapy and adjuvant radiotherapy. The deaths in our series occurred in patients who were unable to proceed with the recommended therapy. These unusual lesions require aggressive multimodality treatment for improved survival.     

Concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer

Eight patients with locally advanced bladder cancer who were not candidates for radical cystectomy or concurrent intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy were treated with combined platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Six of the eight patients (75%) achieved a clinical complete response (CR). The effect of therapy in four patients whose histopathological responses were evaluated was effect grade 3. One of the eight patients died of treatment-related myelosuppression. The other two patients died of intercurrent disease, while the remaining five patients are alive with preservation of a functional bladder. The 2-year overall survival rate was 87.5%. Adverse events due to chemotherapy were mainly bone marrow suppression. Those caused by radiation therapy were rectal irritability. We considered concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy useful for the treatment of locally advanced bladder cancer.     

Endoscopic treatment of esthesioneuroblastoma: a minimally invasive approach combined with radiation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: In a retrospective analysis we discuss our experience in the treatment of olfactory neuroblastoma (ON), a rare tumor of the sinonasal tract. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Nine patients with olfactory neuroblastoma were treated at the Bolognini Hospital of Seriate and at the Department of Otolaryngology of "La Sapienza" University of Rome combining endoscopic surgery and postoperative radiation therapy. All patients were staged according to Kadish criteria. No chemotherapy was administered in any cases. Local radiation therapy was started postoperatively in all the cases. RESULTS: All patients, over an average follow-up which ranged from 26 through 60 months, are actually alive with non evidence of disease (NED). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the short follow-up in this small series of patients, we suggest endoscopic surgery combined with postoperative radiation therapy as an alternative to the conventional modalities of treatment for esthesioneuroblastoma in selected cases.     

A comparison of osteonecrosis and osteoarthritis patients following total hip arthroplasty. A long-term follow-up study

Between November 1969 and December 1983, 105 total hip arthroplasties were performed on 82 patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic osteonecrosis (ON). During the same period, 891 total hip surgeries were performed on 706 osteoarthritis (OA) patients. In order to statistically compare these two diseases, the records of each patient were examined for possible differences in bilaterality, sex, age, and acute postoperative complications including infections, pain, nonunions, and heterotopic bone (HB). Sixty-four ON hips and 615 OA hips (all with at least three years of follow-up data) were then evaluated for acetabular and femoral radiolucency, acetabular and femoral loosening, and pain. The same long-term complications were evaluated in some of these patients at five-, seven-, and ten-year follow-up periods. The ON patients were significantly younger than the OA patients (p less than .001). Bilateral involvement and male/female distributions were found to be similar. Except for HB, acute postoperative complications (zero to six months) were similar. Early HB surrounding one-third or more of the hip joint was statistically less in the ON patient population (p less than .001). No significant differences in long-term complications were found. However, a much higher death rate was found in ON patients (24%) as compared to OA patients (15%) (significant at p less than .07). This difference was not due to any postoperative complication or the hip arthroplasty itself, because both were the same in the two populations.     

Retrospective study of clinicopathologic features and prognosis of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus

Clinicopathologic features of esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), apart from those of small-cell carcinoma, have not been characterized. We evaluated the clinicopathologic features and prognosis including overall survival of NEC of the esophagus. We identified 40 patients with esophageal NEC from our institutional database. All cancers had been clinically staged using endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. Neuroendocrine differentiation was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. The NEC component was classified into small-cell and large-cell subtypes, and non-neuroendocrine components were evaluated. Patients with locoregional disease were treated with chemoradiation with or without surgery or with surgery only. Patients with distant metastasis were treated with systemic therapy. The extent of residual tumors was evaluated in esophagectomy specimens after preoperative chemoradiation. Twenty-seven patients had large-cell NEC, and 13 had small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. An adenocarcinoma component was present in 15 patients and squamous carcinoma component in 1 patient. Synaptophysin was positive in all cases, and chromogranin was positive in 31 cases. Seventeen patients had distant metastasis, and 21 had locoregional disease. Seventeen patients with locoregional disease received preoperative chemoradiation. Disease progressed in 7 patients, and 10 had residual tumor in resection specimens. Overall survival was better with locoregional disease than with distant metastasis (P=0.006). Overall survival was better in patients with non-neuroendocrine component than in patients with pure NEC (P=0.031). There was no difference in prognosis between patients with large-cell NEC and those with small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Esophageal NEC is an aggressive tumor, and patients with mix NEC have better outcome.     

东方人耳部瘢痕疙瘩综合治疗方法探讨

目的 探讨东方人耳部瘢痕疙瘩综合治疗的有效性.方法 采用手术切除瘢痕疙瘩,直接缝合或转移皮瓣修复,于手术切除后早期（24 h内）联合X线或电子线局部放射治疗,每日1次,共3～5次,7 d拆线后局部注射激素类抗瘢痕药物治疗,每2周1次,视切口愈合情况逐渐减量停药.结果 共治疗48例,除由于各种原凶失访12例外,36例随访1～3年,其中治愈30例（83.3%）,显效4例（11.1%）,总有效率94.4%.结论 手术切除病损,联合早期局部放射治疗及拆线时局部定期注射激素类抗瘢痕药物,是综合治疗耳部瘢痕疙瘩防止复发的有效方法.     

Primary carcinoma involving the petrous temporal bone

Between 1975 and 1985, 29 patients with the diagnosis of carcinoma of the petrous temporal bone were seen at the Princess Margaret Hospital. Twenty-seven carcinomas were graded: 13 were well-differentiated; the remaining 14 were either moderately or poorly differentiated tumors. Fifteen patients were managed with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy, 13 were treated with radiotherapy only, and one patient was treated by surgery alone. Median follow-up time was 6.1 years, and the 5-year actuarial local control and cause-specific survival rates for the entire group were 40% and 50%, respectively. Age greater than 60 years, poor grade of tumor, and involvement of the facial nerve were three significant variables associated with poor outcome. A superior 5-year actuarial local control was achieved with surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy (54%) compared to other treatment approaches. Based on the results from this review, we would continue to recommend a combined modality approach of surgery followed by postoperative radiotherapy in the management of this rare, but life-threatening disease.     

Carcinoma of the anal canal: a local experience and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Through the 1970s patients presenting with anal canal carcinoma were managed with a surgical approach--abdomino-perineal resection. Since then, the pioneering work of Nigro et al. and a series of large clinical trials have clearly demonstrated that combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy result in greater local control, colostomy-free survival and increase in overall patient survival. The aim of the present study is to determine how widely the combined modality approach has been adopted in routine clinical practice and what outcomes are achieved in this setting. METHODS: All patients with anal cancer treated at three tertiary referral centres over an 11-year period (1991-2001) were identified. Data were collected by a retrospective record review. RESULTS: Our search identified a total of 50 patients: 22 men and 28 women, with a median age of 62 years. Four patients had metastatic disease diagnosed at presentation. Nine patients (18%) were at least 75 years of age and three were known to be HIV positive. Median potential follow up is 52 months. Of the 46 patients treated for cure, 38 received a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, with 79% achieving a complete response. Efficacy was maintained in treated elderly patients (> or =75 years). The 5-year survival of the 38 patients with local or locoregional disease who received combined chemoradiation modality was 63%. CONCLUSIONS: Overall this series demonstrates that combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been adopted as standard treatment with outcome data similar to those reported in the randomized clinical trials. Where possible elderly patients should receive combined modality therapy.     

Long-term risk of salvage cystectomy after radiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES: To establish the long-term outcome for muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated by radiotherapy with or without neoadjuvant cisplatin. METHODS: 159 patients with T2-T4a NX M0 bladder cancer were entered into a prospective randomized trial between June 1984 and June 1988. Follow-up was by 3-monthly cystoscopy in the first year, 6-monthly the next 2 years and yearly thereafter. Salvage surgery was performed at the discretion of the participating clinician. RESULTS: Minimum follow-up was 9 (median 11) years, at which time 29 patients (18%) remain alive. Median survival was 24 months with no difference between the treatment groups (chi(2) = 0.08, p = 0.77). Overall cystectomy rate was 24% (radiotherapy alone 20%, combined therapy 28%; p = 0.24). Median time to cystectomy from primary treatment was 12 months; range 56 days to 10 years. The risk of cystectomy was 11, 10 and 7% for the first, second and third years after radiotherapy respectively, and 8% in total after the third year. The proportion of patients alive in each successive year who had required a cystectomy was between 20 and 30% for 5 of the first 8 years after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage cystectomy is necessary in a quarter of patients after radiotherapy and this can be needed up to 10 years after treatment. During this time, multiple invasive procedures are likely to be performed, resulting in significant patient morbidity and cost. Patients should be fully counselled about the need for prolonged surveillance and the persisting risk of salvage surgery when deciding between primary cystectomy and radiotherapy.     

Long-Term Combined Androgen Blockade Alone for Localized Prostate Cancer

The effect of long-term continuous combined androgen blockade (CAB) administered alone has been studied in 26 patients with stage B(2)/T(2) and 115 with stage C/T(3) prostate cancer who did not accept or were not candidates for other forms of therapy. In the 26 patients with stage T(2) disease who have received continuous CAB with an LHRH agonist and flutamide, progression of cancer, as evidenced by rising serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), was observed in only one patient receiving CAB, occurring after 7.3 years of continuous CAB treatment. Treatment with CAB was then stopped in 20 patients with stage T(2) cancer after a median period of 7.2 years. Failure or PSA rise occurred in 2 of these patients after a median follow-up of 3.1 years following cessation of CAB, and one died from prostate cancer. The benefits observed with CAB alone in localized disease compare favorably with those obtained by radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy alone. Twenty-six patients with stage T(3) cancer have been treated with CAB continuously for a median of 9.9 years. After a median follow-up of 4.4 years (range 0.3-7.0 years) after cessation of CAB in this group of patients, PSA failure was observed in 5 patients (19%), who had been treated continuously for 3.8, 5.0, 5.0, 9.9, and 10.9 years. Thus, in 85% (39 of 46) patients with stage T(2)-T(3) disease who were treated continuously with CAB for a median of 7.2 and 9.9 years, respectively, PSA remained undetectable up to a median of 3.1 (stage T(2)) and 4.4 (stage T(3)) years of follow-up. The present data, while showing the high efficacy of CAB in localized prostate cancer, clearly indicate the need for long-term treatment, similar to the 5 years of tamoxifen required for control of breast cancer.     

Therapy of prostatic cancer and histopathologic follow-up

The histopathologic follow-up of local tumor regression of prostatic cancer under hormonal treatment or following high-voltage therapy is an objective standard to determine a therapeutic success. This report involves 308 patients, who were continuously controlled by serial biopsies, 1, 138 punch biopsies, and 155 TURs from 1971 to 1981. On an average, there are 4.2 biopsies of each patient. The patients were treated with estradiol. They were divided into two groups by histologic classification: 1) adenocarcinomas with large and small acinar pattern (130 cases) and 2) carcinomas with cribriform and/or solid pattern, partly mixed with other glandular types (178 cases). We applied a score of 10 points to divide the histopathologic regression into three gradings: pronounced, moderate, and poor or no regression. In adenocarcinomas a pronounced regression can be seen in 67.8% following three or more years of hormonal treatment, and in 64.7% following primary high-voltage therapy, mostly combined with hormonal treatment or orchiectomy. In adenocarcinomas with poor or no regression a percentage of 20.4 or 14.7, respectively, can be seen. In cribriform and solid carcinomas a significant difference is present between hormonal treatment and radiotherapy. Following hormonal treatment only 20.2%, but following radiotherapy 63.6% show a pronounced regression. Accordingly, 48.8% of these carcinomas show no or only poor regression under hormonal treatment after three or more years of follow-up. Following radiotherapy, there are only 21.3%. The conformity of locally palpable finding and histopathologic grading of regression reaches 70%. If no agreement can be achieved, cases with better palpable finding than histopathologically recognizable regression prevail.     

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy after previous prostate radiotherapy for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

ObjectivesIntravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy is a standard treatment for high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We evaluated outcomes of BCG therapy for NMIBC in patients with a previous history of prostate cancer (CaP) radiotherapy (RT).Materials and methodsA retrospective review of patients with a history of CaP RT who subsequently underwent treatment with intravesical BCG for high-grade NMIBC was performed. Patients were categorized as “BCG success” or “BCG failure” (defined as stage progression or recurrent/persistent disease). We evaluated factors related to the radiotherapy (type, interval to BCG), bladder cancer (clinical stage, immunotherapy type, and course), and patient comorbidities, to identify factors associated with BCG failure.ResultsFrom 1996 to 2008, 26 patients with high-grade NMIBC received intravesical BCG immunotherapy after CaP RT. At a mean follow-up of nearly 5 years, 13 patients (50%) were successfully managed with one or more induction courses of BCG with or without the addition of interferon alpha. Twelve (46%) eventually required cystectomy for disease recurrence or progression, of which half had pathologically advanced disease (≥pT3). Clinical stage was similar between BCG success and failure patients (P = 0.40). Those who failed immunotherapy were more likely to have had a longer interval between RT and BCG induction (5.8 vs. 2.4 years, P = 0.02).ConclusionApproximately 50% of patients with NMIBC who were previously exposed to prostate radiation had a durable response to intravesical BCG. For non-responders, extravesical progression was common.