Quantitative analysis of survivin mRNA expression in bladder transitional cell carcinomas

We assessed the expression levels of survivin mRNA in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) to provide additional information regarding its malignant potential. The real-time PCR method was used to detect the survivin mRNA level for 21 bladder tumor specimens, and for urinary exfoliated cells from 12 newly diagnosed bladder tumor patients. All bladder tumor specimens and 7 of 12 voided urine specimens expressed survivin mRNA. In tumor specimens, high grade, high stage tumors had the tendency to express more survivin mRNA. Of 12 superficial bladder tumor patients who had transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB), 3 showed high survivin mRNA expression and intravesical recurrence after the surgery. However, for the patients who had total cystectomy due to invasive tumor, no relations were observed between the survivin mRNA expression level and development of local recurrence and/or distant metastasis. Our results suggested that the quantitative analysis of the survivin mRNA may indicate local malignant potential, which contribute to the possibility of an intravesical recurrence.     

Clinical significance of flow cytometric deoxyribonucleic acid measurements of deparaffinized specimens in bladder tumors.

A retrospective study of flow cytometric measurements on paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 188 patients with bladder tumor was conducted. Results were analyzed in combination with the morphological variation in bladder tumors. It was found that the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy pattern, the degree of infiltration and the multiplicity of bladder tumor were closely related with tumor recurrence, among which the DNA ploidy pattern was most significant. In aneuploid bladder tumors, the recurrence rate and the mean annual recurrence frequency were 76.7% and 1.46, respectively, and in the diploid bladder tumors, they were 18.7% and 0.33, respectively. Aneuploidy was the most indicative parameter of recurrence in bladder tumors. In addition, according to the DNA content and the ploidy level of the aneuploid cell lines, the aneuploid tumors in our group were divided into four types, namely tetraploid tumors, noneuploid tumors with an DNA index (DI) less than or equal to 1.5, hypotetraploid tumors and aneuploid tumors with several cell lines. The results showed that the recurrence rate of tetraploid tumors was relatively lower, and it became higher and higher in the following order: noneuploid tumors with DI less than or equal to 1.5, noneuploid tumors with DI greater than 1.5, and two-aneuploid tumors. This indicates that there are different biological behaviors in tumors with different ploidy patterns. Finally, the correlation between the DNA ploidy pattern and tumor metastases was also discussed.     

Proliferative activity assessed on the basis of DNA ploidy patterns in primary lung cancer

Flow cytometric cellular DNA-RNA content analysis by acridine orange staining was conducted on surgical fresh specimens of primary lung carcinomas from 66 patients (31 squamous cell carcinomas, 34 adenocarcinomas and 1 large cell carcinoma). The frequency of aneuploid tumors was 84.6% among the tumors. RNA content (RNA Index) in the DNA aneuploid tumor much more significantly (p less than 0.05) increased than the DNA diploid tumor. Tumor doubling time in the DNA aneuploid tumor was significantly (p less than 0.05) shorter than in the DNA diploid tumor. In the patients with lung cancers that recurred within 1 years, recurrence of the DNA aneuploid tumor was higher than the DNA diploid tumor. It is evident from the above results that proliferative activity in the DNA aneuploid tumor increases much more than in the DNA diploid tumor. This in turn may induce early recurrence in patients with lung cancer.     

A large amount of distilled water ineffective for prevention of bladder cancer cell implantation at the time of transurethral resection

A previous study indicated that distilled water could prevent bladder tumor cell implantation in an in vitro assay. We investigated whether a large amount of distilled water irrigation prevented recurrence of superficial bladder cancer in the clinical setting and then we estimated whether cancer cell implantation at the time of transurethral resection is a major mechanism of recurrence. Between May 2000 and January 2002, 22 patients with primary, superficial bladder carcinoma who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) were enrolled in this study. The patients underwent bladder washout with 1,000 ml distilled water immediately after TURBT, and then intravesical irrigation with 3,000 ml water for three hours. Control patients were randomly chosen from those who previously underwent TURBT in our hospital and had similar prognostic factors. The 1- and 2-year recurrence-free rates in the patients undergoing distilled water irrigation were both 45% and those in the control patients were 65% and 45%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. This result indicates that distilled water was ineffective in preventing recurrence of superficial bladder tumor.     

Analysis of the malignant potentiality in superficial esophageal carcinoma by cytofluorometry of nuclear DNA and cellular protein contents--in relation to histopathologic findings and prognosis]

Recently patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma have increased due to progress in endoscopy, but the results of surgical treatment are still not satisfactory. Cytofluorometric analysis of nuclear DNA and cellular protein contents, measurements of malignant potentiality, in superficial esophageal carcinoma were performed, and DNA ploidy patterns were compared statistically with histological findings and prognosis. Nuclear DNA and cellular protein contents were measured by the multiparametric cytofluorometry in 72 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (mucosal ca.: 14 cases, submucosal ca.: 58 cases). DNA ploidy patterns were classified into diploid (without polyploid), polyploid, and aneuploid according to the peaks of the DNA content histogram. In the current study, there were 22 cases (30%) of diploid, 17 cases (24%) of polyploid, and 33 cases (46%) of aneuploid. In patients with polyploid and aneuploid, there was high frequency of lymph vessel invasion, as compared with diploid (p less than 0.01). The overall five-year survival rates of patients with diploid, polyploid, aneuploid were 91%, 71%, 55%. The prognosis in patients with aneuploid was poorer than diploid (p less than 0.05). The recurrent cases of early esophageal carcinoma were aneuploid only. DNA ploidy patterns proved to be one of the major prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. The patients with higher DNA content had a high frequency of lymph node metastasis. In the patients with poor prognosis, cellular protein content showed higher. These results suggest that the analysis of nuclear DNA and cellular protein contents are useful for assessing the prognosis and planning postoperative combined therapy in patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma.     

原发性膀胱小细胞癌诊治体会

目的 探讨膀胱小细胞癌的临床及病理特点.方法 回顾性分析9例膀胱小细胞癌的基本资料.男6例,女3例.年龄45～79岁,平均62岁.临床表现为肉眼血尿7例,排尿困难及下腹部疼痛2例.肿瘤直径0.5～7.0 cm,平均2.0 cm;多发2例,单发5例,全膀胱弥漫性生长2例.7例行尿脱落细胞学检查,阳性4例.9例均行手术治疗,其中4例术前诊断为浅表性者行TURBt,术后均定期行吡柔比星膀胱灌注,1例化疗3个周期;膀胱部分切除2例,均定期行吡柔比星膀胱灌注,1例化疗2个周期;根治性膀胱全切3例,静脉化疗2例.结果 术后病理检查:肿瘤细胞体积小,呈圆形,胞质稀少,核浓染,缺乏巢状结构.免疫组化染色:嗜铬素A(+)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(+).诊断为小细胞癌,其中1例含移行细胞癌成分,1例合并前列腺癌.1例术前检查显示高血钙(3.15 mmol/L)和低血磷(0.61 mmol/L),术后1个月血钙及血磷恢复正常.保留膀胱者随访4例,3例分别于术后4、9、25个月死于转移,1例术后化疗者随访24个月未见复发及转移.膀胱全切3例中2例分别于术后2、28个月死亡,1例术后随访32个月未见肿瘤复发及转移.结论膀胱小细胞癌恶性程度高,预后差,根治性膀胱全切加全身化疗是主要的治疗方法,保留膀胱的手术应配合全身化疗.决定预后的是肿瘤的临床分期及治疗方法.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological features of small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Methods The pathological and clinical data of 9 cases of small cell carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. There were 6 males and 3 females, ages 45 to 79 years (mean age, 62 years). Clinical manifestations of 7 cases included gross hematuria and dysuria, the other 2 cases experienced lower abdominal pain. The mean tumor size was 2.0 cm (ranged, 0.5 to 7.0 cm). Two cases had multiple tumors and 5 cases had single tumors. The growth pattern in 2 cases was diffuse growth in the whole bladder. In 4 cases tumor cells were found in urine cytology. All 9 patients underwent surgical treatment, including TURBt. Four patients were diagnosed as superficial tumors before operation. All the patients underwent regular theprubicine irrigation in the bladder. One case underwent additional intravenous chemotherapy for 3 cycles. Partial cystectomy was performed in 2 cases, with regular theprubicine irrigation in bladder and 1 case underwent intravenous chemotherapy for 2 cycles. Radical cystectomy was performed in 3 cases, with 2 cases undergoing intravenous chemotherapy after operation. Results Pathological findings showed that tumor cells were small and round in shape. These hyperchromatic nuclei showed limited cytoplasm with lack of nesting characters. CgA and NSE were positive in immunohistochemistry. The final diagnosis was small cell carcinoma, with 1 case accompanied with transitional cell carcinoma and 1 case accompanied with prostate cancer. One case showed high preoperative serum calcium (3.15 mmol/L) and low serum phosphate (0.61 mmol/L), which returned to normal 1 month after operation. Four cases who′s bladder was preserved were followed up, 3 cases were alive for 4, 9 and 25 months after operation. The 1 case who underwent intravenous chemotherapy was followed up for 24 months and there was no sign of relapse or metastasis. In all the 3 cases with radical cystectomy, 2 cases died 2 and 28 months postoperativly. Another case with adjuvant chemotherapy was followed up for 24 months without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is highly malignant with poor prognosis. Radical cystectomy in combination with systemic chemotherapy has better efficacy. Retained bladder surgery with systemic chemotherapy is an alternative choice. The most important factors which influence the prognosis of the tumor are clinical stage and therapeutic methods.     

Superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder associated with mucosal involvement of the prostatic urethra: results of treatment with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin

Intravesical Pasteur strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin was used to treat 8 patients with mucosal transitional cell carcinoma of the prostatic urethra associated with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Complete initial response in the prostatic urethra was obtained in 7 of the 8 patients. Two patients had progression of disease during intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy (1 in the prostate and 1 in the bladder) and they received further surgical therapy. Of the 6 complete responders 1 patient had invasive ureteral, vesical and prostatic tumor 15 months after bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy, and he underwent nephroureterectomy and cystoprostatourethrectomy. Two patients required additional transurethral therapy for recurrent superficial tumors in the bladder but they have shown no evidence of recurrence in the prostatic urethra. Three patients have remained free of disease at 8 to 36 months. Before radical cystoprostatourethrectomy and urinary diversion are recommended, our study supports a course of bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy as initial treatment for patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder associated with mucosal involvement of the prostatic urethra.     

Significance of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase expression in the recurrence of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE: We determined whether expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, membrane-type MMP-1 (MT1-MMP), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 messenger (m) RNA in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder may be used as predictors of tumor recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from 51 superficial transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder, and expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 messenger mRNA in these specimens were measured by Northern blot analysis. Results were evaluated in regard to tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Mean MMP-9 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression in the tumors of patients with recurrence were 2.5 and 3-fold higher, respectively, than in those of patients without recurrence despite no significant differences in MMP-2, MT1-MMP or TIMP-1 expression. The recurrence-free survival rate of patients with elevated MMP-9 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression was significantly lower than that of patients with normal MMP-9 and TIMP-2 expression, respectively. In addition, Cox's multivariate analysis revealed that elevated MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were strongly associated with a high incidence of intravesical recurrence of superficial bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that MMP-9 and TIMP-2 are strongly expressed in the tumors of patients with recurrence compared with those without recurrence and elevated MMP-9 and TIMP-2 may be used as predictors of recurrence in patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma.     

内镜下钬激光治疗早期上尿路上皮肿瘤特殊病例1O例报告

目的探讨内镜下钬激光治疗特殊早期上尿路上皮肿瘤的安全性及有效性。方法2002年4月～2010年5月,对10例不适合行根治性。肾输尿管切除术的早期上尿路上皮肿瘤患者行内镜下钬激光治疗,其中输尿管肿瘤7例（1例合并膀胱肿瘤）,肾盂肿瘤3例。单发7例,多发3例。术前肿瘤分期cTa～cT1。3例对侧已行肾输尿管全长切除,2例孤立肾,3例肾功能不全,1例2～3级心功能不全,1例肿瘤小（〈1cm,位于。肾盂,单发且表浅）。输尿管硬镜治疗7例,软镜1例,微通道经皮肾镜2例。术后行丝裂霉素上尿路及膀胱灌注化疗。结果10例术后随访2年,无肿瘤死亡。1例术后6个月输尿管狭窄,其余均未出现大出血、严重感染、周围脏器损伤及全身肿瘤转移。复发4例,其中1例输尿管合并膀胱肿瘤者膀胱内复发,1例为肾盂内单发肿瘤复发,2例为输尿管单发肿瘤复发。该4例随访5年,1例未见肿瘤复发与转移,3例复发3—4次,且为尿路多处复发,行肾盂输尿管癌根治术,其中2例术后血液透析1年内肿瘤转移死亡。结论对不适合行根治性肾输尿管切除术的早期上尿路上皮肿瘤,内镜下钬激光治疗短期内是安全有效的。     

Management and prognosis of transitional cell carcinoma superficial recurrence in muscle-invasive bladder cancer after bladder preservation

PURPOSE: To assess the bladder preservation rate and cancer-specific survival after conservative treatment of superficial relapses in invasive tumors after bladder preservation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with invasive bladder tumor (T2) were treated using transurethral resection (TUR) followed by three cycles of systemic chemotherapy (carboplatin-vinblastine). After three weeks, an endoscopic reappraisal was made including deep TUR of the site of the original tumor and multiple cold cup biopsies. Forty-two patients retained their bladder (33 complete responses and 9 partial responses). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 63 months, 18 patients recurred as superficial TCC tumor (43%). Fourteen patients with high grade superficial recurrence were treated with TUR and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillations; two patients (G2-3 T1) with TUR as well as endovesical mytomicine, and two patients with low grade recurrence with only TUR. With a median follow-up of 44 months after TUR of first superficial relapse, there was only one case with progression of the disease without any evidence of bladder tumor. Two cystectomies were made due to carcinoma in situ (Cis) persistence and high grade superficial recurrence. Eighty-three percent of the patients who had superficial recurrence retained their bladders, with 94% cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: A very strict follow-up is mandatory due to the high rate of superficial relapses (43%). Cis is the most frequent type of superficial recurrence. Superficial recurrences in bladder preservation may be treated with TUR and BCG instillations when they are high grade and and/or associated with Cis. Superficial recurrences do not imply a worse prognosis for bladder preservation or cancer-specific survival.     

Deoxyribonucleic acid profile and tumor progression in primary carcinoma in situ of the bladder: a study of 63 patients with grade 3 lesions.

In 63 patients with primary grade 3 carcinoma in situ of the bladder flow cytometric deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis was performed at diagnosis and during an average followup of 63 months. The results of DNA measurements were related to disease progression, that is invasive tumor and/or metastatic disease. The DNA histograms were classified as diploid (2 patients) or aneuploid (61). A total of 3 categories of aneuploid tumors with different prognostic significance could be defined: 1) carcinoma in situ with 1 aneuploid cell population at diagnosis and with no change to multiple aneuploid cell populations throughout observation, 2) carcinoma in situ with 1 aneuploid cell population at diagnosis but with a later change to multiple aneuploid cell populations and 3) carcinoma in situ with multiple aneuploid cell populations already at diagnosis. At 5 years the progression-free survival for the 3 categories was 94%, 43% and 20%, respectively. Over-all, of the patients with multiple aneuploid cell populations (categories 2 and 3) 76% had progression, in contrast to 19% of those in category 1 (p less than 0.0005). In category 2 development of multiple aneuploid cell populations preceded progression in 8 of 11 progressive cases by an average of 20 months. Therefore, the occurrence of multiple aneuploid cell populations must be considered as a sign of high aggressiveness. We conclude that flow cytometric DNA analysis is a potent predictor of prognosis in cases of primary carcinoma in situ of the bladder.     

Results of adjuvant intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for grade 3 superficial bladder cancer

To examine the incidence of recurrence, progression and survival in patients with grade 3 superficial bladder cancer after transurethral resection (TUR) and adjuvant intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), we retrospectively studied 39 patients with grade 3 superficial bladder cancer. Nineteen patients with high-grade superficial bladder cancer (pTa, pT1) and 5 patients with grade 3 carcinoma in situ (CIS) received intravesical instillation of BCG after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (BCG group and CIS-BCG group). The Tokyo 172 strain BCG was given for 8 weeks, as a rule, in a dose of 80 mg in 40 ml of saline instilled into the bladder. As a control, 15 patients with grade 3 superficial bladder cancer who did not receive BCG therapy after TUR were compared (non-BCG group). Of the BCG group (n=19), 4 patients (21.1%) had recurrent tumor and 3 had invasive progression after BCG therapy and died as a result of tumor progression, while in the non-BCG group (n=15), 8 cases (53.3%) developed recurrence, only one case had progression and died of cancer. In the CIS-BCG group (n=5), 3 patients (60.0%) had recurrent tumor and 2 had invasive progression. Univariate analysis (Logrank test) demonstrated that tumor size and adjuvant instillation of BCG were associated with tumor recurrence except for carcinoma in situ, but tumor progression and survival did not differ significantly. Our results suggest that BCG therapy prevents grade 3 superficial bladder cancer (pT1, pTa) recurrence.     

Intravesical treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma with interferons

Summary The high incidence of tumor recurrence and the multifocal occurrence of superficial bladder carcinoma have stimulated the idea of intracavitary treatment for therapy and prophylaxis. However, all potent agents have been shown to exhibit severe side effects. Interferons (IFN) are known to inhibit the proliferation of various bladder carcinoma cell lines in vitro. In this study the efficacy of topical administration of IFN was investigated in 10 patients with recurrent superficial bladder carcinoma without evidence of local or distant metastases. The patients had had 1–6 tumor recurrences prior to treatment. Starting 5–8 days following transurethral resection, 5×107 IU IFN alpha-2 (arg) were given intravesically twice a week for 6 weeks. The first examination, including cystoscopy and cytological evaluation of urine, was performed 6 weeks later. Except for occasional urinary tract infections, no side effects were observed. At the first follow-up examination 3 months following the beginning of treatment, tumor recurrence was observed in 6 out of 10 patients. In these patients there was no change regarding tumor stage and grade prior to and following IFN treatment. Since in vitro investigations have demonstrated a correlation between IFN receptor status and growth inhibition, determination of IFN receptors in the membrane of bladder carcinoma might be helpful to those patients who could benefit from IFN treatment.     

预防肾盂输尿管癌术后再发膀胱癌的手术方法研究

目的探讨预防。肾盂输尿管癌术后再发膀胱癌的手术方法。方法对156例单纯。肾盂癌、单纯输尿管癌中获随访的139例患者资料进行同顾性总结。肾盂癌78例。输尿管癌61例。肿瘤细胞分级：G1 19例，G2 88例，G3 32例。肿瘤分期：Ta—T1 38例，T2 80例，T3～T4 21例。肿瘤直径0．8—6．0cm。结果139例均行根治性。肾、输尿管及管口周围部分膀胱壁（1．5—2．0cm）切除术。术后随访1～10年。再发膀胱癌55例，占39．6％。肾盂癌术中先用纱条结扎输尿管后游离切除患肾输尿管及管口周围部分膀胱者术后膀胱癌再发率18．5％（5／27），未先结扎输尿管者再发率27．5％（14／51）。术后当日膀胱灌注化疗者膀胱癌再发率32．3％（10／31）。术后3周开始膀胱灌注化疗者膀胱癌再发率34．9％（30／86）。术后当日及术后序贯膀胱灌注化疗者术后膀胱癌再发率20．0％（4／20），单纯术后序贯膀胱灌注化疗者膀胱癌再发率39．3％（26／66）。2者比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论术后当日及术后序贯膀胱灌注化疗可有效降低。肾盂输尿管癌术后膀胱癌的再发率，游离切除。肾输尿管前先结扎输尿管对预防肾盂癌术后再发膀胱癌可能有益。     

Prognostic significance of flow cytometric DNA analysis in colorectal cancer

Significance of flow cytometric DNA analysis for assessing malignant potential and survival of colorectal cancer was investigated using paraffin-embedded materials from 144 patients with primary colorectal cancer who had been treated from 1971 to 1985. Forty-four percent of colorectal cancer were composed of diploid and 56 percent were aneuploid. DNA indices (DI) of aneuploid tumors showed a bimodal distribution. There was no significant correlation between ploidy pattern and clinicopathological factors. While, DI level showed significantly higher in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and in clinicopathological stage III and V tumors. Overall survival in the patients with aneuploid tumor was significantly worse than that in those with diploid tumor (p less than 0.001). Survival rate was poorer in the patients with aneuploid tumor than in those with diploid tumor, who were stratified according to categories of curable resection, stage, histological type, negative peritoneal or hepatic involvement and negative node metastases. However, there was no significant relation between DI and survival among the patients with aneuploid tumor. From these results, it was concluded that the nuclear DNA content of colorectal cancer may represent biological malignant potential of the disease, and that the DNA ploidy pattern may be an important prognostic indicator, being independent of clinicopathological factors.     

Radical cystectomy--often too late?

From 1967 to 1985, 246 cystectomies for treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were performed. Perioperative mortality decreased from 15% in the early years to 0% in 1985. Preoperative radiotherapy was not given. Patients who underwent cystectomy immediately following the diagnosis of invasive bladder carcinoma had a significantly better prognosis than those having cystectomy after recurrence of a transurethrally resected invasive carcinoma in spite of identical G and T criteria. A total of 26 patients who were cystectomized because of tumor recurrence after definitive radiotherapy (salvage cystectomy) represented the group with the worst prognosis: they had a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. It is concluded from these results that recurrence of an infiltrating bladder tumor is an indication of poor prognosis. Early cystectomy after diagnosis of tumor infiltration can improve survival rates. Transurethral resection without adjuvant therapy cannot be regarded as reliable curative treatment of bladder cancer infiltrating the lamina propria (pT1). Modern surgical techniques of continent urinary diversion or total bladder replacement combined with sparing of the pelvic nerves (and thus preservation of potency) reinforce our view that radical cystoprostatectomy need no longer be regarded as mutilating surgery.     

Management of superficial transitional cell carcinoma in the intramural ureter: what to do?

PURPOSE: We analyze the evolution of superficial transitional cell carcinoma in the intramural distal ureter treated with transurethral resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 patients underwent transurethral resection of the intramural distal ureter with a mean followup of 57 months. All cases were diagnosed as superficial transitional cell carcinoma and all but 2 had a history of bladder tumor. Upper urinary tract followup consisted of excretory urography every 6 months and ureterorenoscopy in cases with a doubtful diagnosis or positive cytology. RESULTS: Pathological examination revealed stage Ta disease in 42%, T1 in 31.5% and Tx in 26.3% of intramural tumors. Upper urinary tract recurrence was noted in 8 patients (42.1%), including 5 (62.5%) with involvement of the distal ureter. Nontumoral stenosis of the distal ureter in 3 cases was treated endoscopically. An endoscopic procedure resolved 75% of recurrences. A high surgical risk patient who did not undergo open surgery died of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the intramural ureter is uncommon in the setting of multiple bladder tumors and recurrent bladder carcinoma. There was a 42.1% rate of ipsilateral recurrence and endoscopic treatment allowed us to preserve 89.5% of the involved renal units. Closer followup of the urinary tract must be performed since these tumors have a higher incidence of upper urinary tract recurrence.     

Surgical resection of pulmonary metastasis from genitourinary cancers

Three patients who underwent surgical resection for pulmonary metastases were reviewed. The primary lesion was testicular tumor, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma. One of these patients is alive without disease at 30 months after the pulmonary resection, while the others died of recurrence at 3 and 7 months after the surgical resection, respectively. As a factor affecting prognosis, characteristics of the primary lesion, especially its chemosensitivity, was thought to be important. The surgical resection of pulmonary metastasis may be effective, if the indication is assessed carefully.     

Control group and maintenance treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin for carcinoma in situ and/or high grade bladder tumors

PURPOSE: Intravesical instillations of bacillus Calmette-Guerin have demonstrated satisfactory results in the treatment of vesical carcinoma in situ and high grade superficial bladder tumors. We designed a protocol to evaluate the decrease in tumor recurrence with maintenance therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 1989 and May 1995 an initial course of 6 intravesical instillations of Connaught strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin was administered in patients with carcinoma in situ and/or high grade superficial bladder tumors. Six months later 131 disease-free patients were randomly assigned to a control group or a maintenance therapy group that received 6 instillations every 6 months (6 x 6) for a 2-year period. RESULTS: Of the 126 evaluable patients at a mean followup of 79 months there were no significant differences in recurrence nor progression. A total of 16 patients (26.2%) in the control and 10 (15.1%) in the maintenance group had superficial relapse at a mean of 24 and 20 months, respectively (p = 0.07). Eight patients underwent radical cystectomy due to bladder contraction in 1, high grade superficial recurrence in 4 and disease progression in 3. Of the 65 patients on maintenance therapy 22 (33.85%) completed the planned 2-year treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Six-month maintenance therapy in patients treated initially for carcinoma in situ and/or high grade superficial bladder tumors who are disease-free at 6 months did not significantly decrease recurrence or progression.     

Characterization of squamous cell bladder tumors by flow cytometric deoxyribonucleic acid analysis: a report of 100 cases

We studied 100 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder by flow cytometry after cystectomy. Tumors were classified according to the deoxyribonucleic acid profile into diploid or aneuploid. Proliferation of the tumors was assessed from the proportions of S-phase cells. The flow cytometric data were correlated to the histopathological stage and grade. Grade 1 tumors could be subdivided into diploid and aneuploid in 60 and 40% of the cases, respectively, while 95% of the grade 2 and all grade 3 tumors were aneuploid. Diploid tumors had low proliferation rates, while aneuploid tumors had significantly higher values. A high frequency of muscle invasive diploid squamous cell tumors was noted. Tumor heterogeneity was studied by comparing cell material from superficial and deep tumor areas, which were in agreement in 77% of the cases. By comparing biopsy material with that obtained by bladder washings, biopsy material yielded better information regarding deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy in half of the aneuploid tumors. These results indicate that flow cytometry offers an additional objective method to characterize squamous cell carcinoma.