Search

Objectives/Introduction Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is associated with survival benefit across patients of all ages, yet it is not offered to many elderly patients. We aimed to evaluate age-based disparity in treatment and outcomes of MIBC. Methods Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients with MIBC from 2006 to 2017. Use of treatment modalities was compared between age groups. A second analysis compared perioperative outcomes and overall survival (OS) in elderly patients (70 years or older) undergoing RC with NAC vs no NAC. Propensity score weighting (PSW) was used for each analysis. Results In 70,911 patients, use of NAC with RC was lower in patients 70 years or older (7.2% vs 20.9%; P.001). In patients 70 years or older undergoing RC, NAC was associated with shorter inpatient stay (8.5 vs 9.6 days; P.001), decreased 30-day readmission (8.6% vs 10.6%; P.001), and lower 30- and 90-day mortality (1.5% vs 3.1%; P = .01; and 4.9% vs 7.7%; P = .003, respectively). On weighted multivariate regressions, NAC predicted shorter length of stay and lower 30-and 90-day mortality. Elderly patients receiving NAC had improved OS compared with RC alone (P = .0011, 2010-2013; P.001, 2014-2016). Conclusions Despite increased omission of NAC in patients 70 years or older, elderly patients receiving NAC and RC had improved perioperative outcomes and OS compared with those undergoing RC alone. There may be selection bias unaccounted for with our PSW; however, our results provide compelling evidence that NAC does not compromise surgical outcomes in appropriately selected elderly patients. Patients of advanced age who are candidates for RC should be offered NAC.