Factors Impacting the Overall Survival of Patients Irradiated for Invasive Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder

Abstract

Background/aim: To contribute to personalisation of treatment for patients with carcinoma of the urinary bladder, 11 factors were analyzed for survival.

Patients and methods: Data from 61 patients receiving definitive irradiation for carcinoma of the urinary bladder were retrospectively evaluated, namely gender, age, T-stage, N-stage, grading, pack years, smoking during irradiation, upfront transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT), equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions (EQD2), chemotherapy and Karnofsky performance score (KPS).

Results: On univariate analysis, female gender (p=0.007), <40 pack years (p=0.029), not smoking during irradiation (p=0.037), TURBT (p=0.007) and KPS >70 (p<0.001) led to improved survival; EQD2 >55 Gy showed a trend (p=0.065) for such association. On Cox regression, gender [risk ratio (RR)=2.81; p=0.039], TURBT (RR=4.44; p=0.033) and KPS (RR=3.45; p=0.018) remained significant.

Conclusion: This study identified independent predictors of survival in patients irradiated for carcinoma of the urinary bladder and contributes to creation of personalised treatment programs.

Keywords: Carcinoma of the urinary bladder; definitive treatment; independent predictive factors; irradiation; overall survival.