A new prognostic tool for patients undergoing radiotherapy plus upfront transurethral resection for bladder cancer

Aim: To create a tool to estimate overall survival (OS) of patients with non-metastatic bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: Eight parameters were retrospectively evaluated for OS in 42 patients undergoing radiotherapy and upfront transurethral resection for bladder cancer. The prognostic tool included those parameters that were significant on both univariate and multivariate analyses. The tool was based on the 3-year OS rate divided by 10. Patient scores were calculated by adding the points for each significant parameter. Results: On univariate analysis, 3- year OS was associated with gender (p=0.017), pack years (p=0.009) and Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (p<0.001). On Cox regression, pack years (p=0.007) and KPS (p<0.001) remained significant and were incorporated into the tool. Three prognostic groups were designated with 6, 10-11 and 15 points with 3-year OS-rates of 0%, 34% and 83%, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: A tool was developed to estimate the OS of patients with bladder cancer to improve individualization of treatment.