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Diagnostic work-up and risk stratification in patients with bladder cancer before and after treatment must be refined to optimize management and improve outcomes. MRI has been suggested as a non-invasive technique for bladder cancer staging and assessment of response to systemic therapy. The Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System (VI-RADS) was developed to standardize bladder MRI image acquisition, interpretation and reporting and enables accurate prediction of muscle-wall invasion of bladder cancer. MRI is available in many centres but is not yet recommended as a first-line test for bladder cancer owing to a lack of high-quality evidence. Consensus-based evidence on the use of MRI-VI-RADS for bladder cancer care is needed to serve as a benchmark for formulating guidelines and research agendas until further evidence from randomized trials becomes available., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) only when computed tomography (CT) is contraindicated. However, CT does not allow distinguishing ureter wall layers, making impossible to assess muscle invasion, a factor contributing to differentiate high- from low-risk UTUCs, which require different therapeutic approaches. We investigated the feasibility of MRI assessment of UTUC muscle invasion., Methods: From June 2022 to March 2023, we prospectively enrolled patients suspected of UTUC, i.e., with positive urinary tract ultrasound and/or ureteroscopy, or positive urinary cytology and/or hematuria but negative cystoscopy and bladder ultrasound at two Italian centers. They underwent CT followed by MRI (≤ 24 h apart), independently reported by two experienced radiologists, blinded from histopathology results. After imaging confirmation, they all underwent nephroureterectomy and histopathology analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated., Results: Thirty-nine lesions were detected in 30 patients on both CT and MRI. Muscle-invasive UTUC prevalence was 81% (21/26) among patients with MRI suspicion and 8% (1/13) among those without MRI suspicion (p < 0.001). Considering the assessment of muscle-layer invasion, the more experienced reader achieved 95% sensitivity (95% confidence interval 82-100), 71% specificity (47-88), 81% PPV (63-93), 92% NPV (70-100), 85% accuracy (67-96), and 0.84 AUC (0.70-0.98). Inter-reader agreement was substantial (κ = 0.73)., Conclusions: MRI showed a promising diagnostic performance for the assessment of UTUC risk of muscle invasion., Relevance Statement: Resulting feasible both in technical and clinical terms, MRI could be helpful for upper tract urothelial carcinomas pre-operative risk stratification, to allow a personalized patients' management. These results play in favor of promoting preoperative MRI for UTUC, as already proven for bladder cancer., Key Points: • Muscle invasion is a crucial information for tailored treatments of upper tract urothelial carcinomas. • CT does not distinguish ureter wall layers, making muscle invasion risk assessment not feasible. • MRI was shown to reliably diagnose muscle-layer invasion by upper tract urothelial carcinomas (sensitivity 95%, specificity 71%)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Context: We present an overview of the updated 2023 European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines for muscle-invasive and metastatic bladder cancer (MMIBC)., Objective: To provide practical evidence-based recommendations and consensus statements on the clinical management of MMIBC with a focus on diagnosis and treatment., Evidence Acquisition: A broad and comprehensive scoping exercise covering all areas of the MMIBC guidelines has been performed annually since 2017. Searches cover the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Libraries databases for yearly guideline updates. A level of evidence and strength of recommendation are assigned. The evidence cutoff date for the 2023 MIBC guidelines was May 4, 2022., Evidence Synthesis: Patients should be counselled regarding risk factors for bladder cancer. Pathologists should describe tumour and lymph nodes in detail, including the presence of histological subtypes. The importance of the presence or absence of urothelial carcinoma (UC) in the prostatic urethra is emphasised. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the bladder is superior to computed tomography (CT) for disease staging, specifically in differentiating T1 from T2 disease, and may lead to a change in treatment approach in patients at high risk of an invasive tumour. Imaging of the upper urinary tract, lymph nodes, and distant metastasis is performed with CT or MRI; the additional value of flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT still needs to be determined. Frail and comorbid patients should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Postoperative histology remains the most important prognostic variable, while circulating tumour DNA appears to be an interesting predictive marker. Neoadjuvant systemic therapy remains cisplatin-based. In motivated and selected women and men, sexual organ-preserving cystectomy results in better functional outcomes without compromising oncological outcomes. Robotic and open cystectomy have comparable outcomes and should be combined with (extended) lymph node dissection. The diversion type is an individual choice after taking patient and tumour characteristics into account. Radical cystectomy remains a highly complex procedure with considerable morbidity and risk of mortality, although lower rates are observed for higher hospital volumes (>20 cases/yr). With proper patient selection, trimodal therapy (chemoradiation) has comparable outcomes to radical cystectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery improves disease-specific survival and overall survival (OS) in patients with high-risk disease who did not receive neoadjuvant treatment, and is strongly recommended. There is a weak recommendation for adjuvant nivolumab, as OS data are not yet available. Health-related quality of life should be assessed using validated questionnaires at baseline and after treatment. Surveillance is needed to monitor for recurrent cancer and functional outcomes. Recurrences detected on follow-up seem to have better prognosis than symptomatic recurrences., Conclusions: This summary of the 2023 EAU guidelines provides updated information on the diagnosis and treatment of MMIBC for incorporation into clinical practice., Patient Summary: The European Association of Urology guidelines panel on muscle-invasive and metastatic bladder cancer has released an updated version of the guideline containing information on diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Recommendations are based on studies published up to May 4, 2022. Surgical removal of the bladder and bladder preservation are discussed, as well as updates on the use of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in localised and metastatic disease., (Copyright © 2023 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Context: Bladder cancer (BC) is common worldwide and poses a significant public health challenge. External risk factors and the wider exposome (totality of exposure from external and internal factors) contribute significantly to the development of BC. Therefore, establishing a clear understanding of these risk factors is the key to prevention., Objective: To perform an up-to-date systematic review of BC's epidemiology and external risk factors., Evidence Acquisition: Two reviewers (I.J. and S.O.) performed a systematic review using PubMed and Embase in January 2022 and updated it in September 2022. The search was restricted to 4 yr since our previous review in 2018., Evidence Synthesis: Our search identified 5177 articles and a total of 349 full-text manuscripts. GLOBOCAN data from 2020 revealed an incidence of 573 000 new BC cases and 213 000 deaths worldwide in 2020. The 5-yr prevalence worldwide in 2020 was 1 721 000. Tobacco smoking and occupational exposures (aromatic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are the most substantial risk factors. In addition, correlative evidence exists for several risk factors, including specific dietary factors, imbalanced microbiome, gene-environment risk factor interactions, diesel exhaust emission exposure, and pelvic radiotherapy., Conclusions: We present a contemporary overview of the epidemiology of BC and the current evidence for BC risk factors. Smoking and specific occupational exposures are the most established risk factors. There is emerging evidence for specific dietary factors, imbalanced microbiome, gene-external risk factor interactions, diesel exhaust emission exposure, and pelvic radiotherapy. Further high-quality evidence is required to confirm initial findings and further understand cancer prevention., Patient Summary: Bladder cancer is common, and the most substantial risk factors are smoking and workplace exposure to suspected carcinogens. On-going research to identify avoidable risk factors could reduce the number of people who get bladder cancer., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Imaging plays an important role in bladder cancer (BCa) diagnostic work-up. Ultrasound achieves an intermediate sensitivity in detecting urinary tract alterations and is considered a suboptimal imaging technique in diagnosis of BCa. CT urography accurately detects BCa in patients presenting with hematuria Multiparametric MRI achieves a very high rate of BCa detection and helps with accurate staging of patients; however, this modality is still not widely supported by international guidelines. The main applications of MRI are local tumor staging and differentiation between non-muscle-invasive BCa and muscle-invasive BCa. These applications led to development of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system. The VI-RADS scoring system was developed in the setting of post-resection of primary bladder tumor and instillation of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy; however validation of this system in the post-treatment setting showed promising results. The high risk of BCa recurrence leads to its application in the assessment of response to therapy and for disease surveillance after treatment. MRI is rapidly becoming a leading imaging modality in BCa diagnostic workup, assessment of response to therapies and for longitudinal surveillance, and plays an important role in BCa surgical and radiation therapy treatment planning., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of an interactive training program on the learning curve of radiology residents for bladder MRI interpretation using the VI-RADS score., Methods: Three radiology residents with minimal experience in bladder MRI served as readers. They blindly evaluated 200 studies divided into 4 subsets of 50 cases over a 3-month period. After 2 months, the first subset was reassessed, resulting in a total of 250 evaluations. An interactive training program was provided and included educational lessons and case-based practice. The learning curve was constructed by plotting mean agreement as the ratio of correct evaluations per batch. Inter-reader agreement and diagnostic performance analysis were performed with kappa statistics and ROC analysis., Results: As for the VI-RADS scoring agreement, the kappa differences between pre-training and post-training evaluation of the same group of cases were 0.555 to 0.852 for reader 1, 0.522 to 0.695 for reader 2, and 0.481 to 0.794 for reader 3. Using VI-RADS ≥ 3 as cut-off for muscle invasion, sensitivity ranged from 84 to 89% and specificity from 91 to 94%, while the AUCs from 0.89 (95% CI:0.84, 0.94) to 0.90 (95% CI:0.86, 0.95). Mean evaluation time decreased from 5.21 ± 1.12 to 3.52 ± 0.69 min in subsets 1 and 5. Mean grade of confidence improved from 3.31 ± 0.93 to 4.21 ± 0.69, in subsets 1 and 5., Conclusion: An interactive dedicated education program on bladder MRI and the VI-RADS score led to a significant increase in readers' diagnostic performance over time, with a general improvement observed after 100-150 cases., Key Points: • After the first educational lesson and 100 cases were interpreted, the concordance on VI-RADS scoring between the residents and the experienced radiologist was significantly higher. • An increase in the grade of confidence was experienced after 100 cases. • We found a decrease in the evaluation time after 150 cases., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose of Review: To conduct a nonsystematic review of the existing literature to investigate the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in urothelial carcinomas (UCs)., Recent Findings: Imaging is becoming progressively more crucial in local and distant staging of UCs, especially in cases of bladder cancer (BCa). The primary objective of imaging in patients with BCa is to detect lesions and distinguish T1 from T2 stages, since the treatment varies significantly., Summary: The applicability of MRI in the management of UCs has been investigated, particularly focusing on the new evidence on multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the bladder and Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System score for the description of BCa and discussing the possible utility of MRI for upper tract urothelial carcinomas . Imaging modalities, in particular CT and MRI, are essential tools for the local and distant staging of UCs. MpMRI of the bladder and VI-RADS score accurately define the risk of muscle invasiveness, promoting tailored therapeutic planning. Moreover, mpMRI has also been included in patients' follow-up and in the assessment of response to systematic therapy. MRI utility and possible application in upper tract urothelial carcinomas cases are yet to be discovered., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Context: Bladder cancer prognosis and treatment are heavily dependent on accurate staging. Traditional imaging and pathologic evaluation of transurethral resection (TUR) specimens have been associated with high rates of clinical understaging at the time of radical cystectomy (RC)., Objective: We describe current components and limitations of bladder cancer staging for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), and discuss the rationale for inclusion of novel biomarkers and imaging modalities to improve diagnostic accuracy., Evidence Acquisition: We summarize the data informing MIBC staging accuracy using a nonsystematic review of published literature and provide expert opinion on current and emerging standards in MIBC staging., Evidence Synthesis: Nearly 50% of patients undergoing RC are clinically understaged preoperatively. Components of clinical staging include TUR specimen evaluation, bimanual examination under anesthesia (EUA), and cross-sectional imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Complete endoscopic resection of visible disease with sampling of muscularis propria is indicated. While histologic features such as tumor size, focality, variant histologic differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion have prognostic utility, insufficient evidence exists to incorporate them into current staging paradigms. For primary tumor staging, conventional computed tomography (CT) has limited accuracy in differentiating non-MIBC from MIBC. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has exhibited superior pT staging accuracy with the validated Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System. Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT does not increase clinical nodal staging accuracy beyond CT or MRI, and there exists no consensus role for the use of PET in routine clinical staging., Conclusions: In the absence of reliable biomarkers to serve as staging adjuncts, we continue to rely heavily on basic clinical staging components-TUR with accurate pathologic evaluation, EUA, and standard cross-sectional imaging modalities. MRI shows promising accuracy and interobserver reliability for primary tumor staging., Patient Summary: Effective clinical staging for muscle-invasive bladder cancer estimates local and systemic disease burden and can dictate eligibility for systemic therapy and/or radical cystectomy. Herein, we review the accuracy and limitations of current and emerging staging modalities., (Copyright © 2022 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the clinical, pathological, and radiological features, including the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score, independently correlating with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BCa), in a multicentric national setting., Method and Materials: Patients with BCa suspicion were offered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). According to VI-RADS, a cutoff of ≥ 3 or ≥ 4 was assumed to define muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Trans-urethral resection of the tumor (TURBT) and/or cystectomy reports were compared with preoperative VI-RADS scores to assess accuracy of MRI for discriminating between non-muscle-invasive versus MIBC. Performance was assessed by ROC curve analysis. Two univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were implemented including clinical, pathological, radiological data, and VI-RADS categories to determine the variables with an independent effect on MIBC., Results: A final cohort of 139 patients was enrolled (median age 70 [IQR: 64, 76.5]). MRI showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for MIBC diagnosis ranging from 83-93%, 80-92%, 67-81%, 93-96%, and 84-89% for the more experienced readers. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.95 (0.91-0.99). In the multivariable logistic regression model, the VI-RADS score, using both a cutoff of 3 and 4 (P < .0001), hematuria (P = .007), tumor size (P = .013), and concomitant hydronephrosis (P = .027) were the variables correlating with a bladder cancer staged as ≥ T2. The inter-reader agreement was substantial (k = 0.814)., Conclusions: VI-RADS assessment scoring proved to be an independent predictor of muscle-invasiveness, which might implicate a shift toward a more aggressive selection approach of patients' at high risk of MIBC, according to a novel proposed predictive pathway., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and is also considered to be one of the most relapsing and aggressive neoplasms. About 30% of patients will present with muscle invasive disease, which is associated with a higher risk for metastatic disease. The aim of this article is to review the state of art imaging in Radiology, while providing a complete guide to urologists, with case examples, for the rationale of the development of the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS), a scoring system emphasizing a standardized approach to multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) acquisition, interpretation, and reporting for BCa. Also, we examine relevant external validation studies and the consolidated literature of mpMRI for bladder cancer. In addition, this article discusses some of the potential clinical implications of this scoring system for disease management and follow-up., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.)

Purpose: To determine through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis the cumulative diagnostic performance of vesical imaging-reporting and data system (VIRADS) to predict preoperative muscle-invasiveness among different institutions, readers, and optimal scoring accuracy thresholds., Methods: PubMed, Cochrane and Embase were searched from inception up to May 2021. Sensitivity (Sn), Specificity (Sp) were first estimated and subsequently pooled using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) modeling for both cut-off ≥ 3 and ≥ 4 to predict muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Further sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to investigate contribution of moderators to heterogeneity., Results: In total, n = 20 studies from 2019 to 2021 with n = 2477 patients by n = 53 genitourinary radiologists met the inclusion criteria. Pooled weighted Sn and Sp were 0.87 (95% CI 0.82-0.91) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.80-0.90) for cut-off ≥ 3 while 0.78 (95% CI 0.74-0.81) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.96) for cut-off ≥ 4. The area under the HSROC curve was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90-0.95) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.93) for cut-off ≥ 3 and ≥ 4, respectively. Meta-regression analyses showed no influence of clinical characteristics nor cumulative reader's experience while study design and radiological characteristics were found to influence the estimated outcome., Conclusion: We demonstrated excellent worldwide diagnostic performance of VI-RADS to determine pre-trans urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) staging. Our findings corroborate wide reliability of VI-RADS accuracy also between different centers with varying experience underling the importance that standardization and reproducibility of VI-RADS may confer to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for preoperative BCa discrimination., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: New evidence indicates that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (laparoscopic or robotic-assisted [LNU, RANU]) reaches oncologic equivalence compared with Open Radical Nephroureterectomy (ORNU) for high-risk upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Recently, European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines suggested implementing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to standard treatment to improve oncologic outcomes of high-risk UTUC. We aimed (1) To explore contemporary trends of MIS for RNU in the United States and to compare perioperative outcomes and costs with that of ORNU. (2) To determine the trends of NAC and postoperative intravesical chemotherapy (PIC) administration for high-risk UTUC and to assess their contribution to perioperative outcomes and costs., Patients and Methods: The Optum Clinformatics Data Mart de-identified database was queried from 2003 to 2018 to retrospectively examine patients who had undergone LNU/RANU or ORNU with or without NAC and PIC. We evaluated temporal adoption trends, complications, and health care cost analyses. We obtained descriptive statistics and utilized multivariable regression modeling to assess outcomes., Results: A total of n = 492 ORNU and n = 1618 LNU/RANU procedures were reviewed. The MIS approach was associated with a statistically significant lower risk of intraoperative complications (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 0.48, 95% CI:0.24-0.96), risk of hospitalization costs (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI:0.49-0.78), and shorter hospital stay (aOR: 0.20, 95% CI:0.15-0.26) when compared to ORNU. Overall, adoption of NAC and PIC accounted for only n = 81 and n < 37 cases respectively. The implementation of NAC and higher number of cycles were associated with an increased probability of any complication rate (aOR: 2.06, 95% CI:1.26-3.36) and hospital costs (aOR: 2.12, 95% CI:1.33-3.38)., Conclusion: MIS has become the approach of choice for RNU in the US. Although recommended by guidelines, neither NAC nor postoperative bladder instillation of chemotherapy has been routinely incorporated into the clinical practice of patients with UTUC., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) criteria are expanding, providing fine differentiation of bladder wall layers involvement. We aimed to explore the feasibility of a novel categorical scoring, the Neoadjuvant chemotherapy VI-RADS (nacVI-RADS) for radiologic assessment of response (RaR), to define the spectrum of treatment response among patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)., Methods: Ten consecutive patients diagnosed with non-metastatic MIBC were prospectively enrolled and addressed to NAC and underwent mpMRI before staging resection and after the chemotherapy cycles. The follow-up MRI assessment was performed using the nacVI-RADS algorithm for evaluation of response to therapy. NacVI-RADS categorically define complete RaR, based on prior VI-RADS score, presence of residual disease, tumor size, and infiltration of the muscularis propria., Results: NacVI-RADS categories were able to match all the final radical cystectomy pathology both for complete pT0 responders and for the patients defined as partial or minimal responders, who only showed some RaR inter-scoring class downstaging., Conclusion: This report is the preliminary evidence of the feasibility of nacVI-RADS criteria. These findings might lead to possible paradigmatic shifts for cancer-specific survival risk assessment and to possibly drive the therapeutic decision through active surveillance programs, bladder-sparing modalities, or to the standard of care., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Bladder cancer (BCa) is among the ten most frequent cancers globally. It is the tumor with the highest lifetime treatment-associated costs, and among the tumors with the heaviest impacts on postoperative quality of life. The purpose of this article is to review the current applications and future perspectives of the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS). VI-RADS is a newly developed scoring system aimed at standardization of MRI acquisition, interpretation, and reporting for BCa. An insight will be given on the BCa natural history, current MRI applications for local BCa staging with assessment of muscle invasiveness, and clinical implications of the score for disease management. Future applications include risk stratification of nonmuscle invasive BCa, surveillance, and prediction and monitoring of therapy response. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2., (© 2020 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Objectives: (I) To determine Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score 5 accuracy in predicting locally advanced bladder cancer (BCa), so as to potentially identify those patients who could avoid the morbidity of deep transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) in favour of histological sampling-TUR prior to radical cystectomy (RC). (II) To explore the predictive value of VI-RADS score 5 on time-to-cystectomy (TTC) outcomes., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients' ineligible or refusing cisplatin-based combination neoadjuvant chemotherapy who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the bladder prior to staging TURBT followed by RC for muscle-invasive BCa. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated for VI-RADS score 5 vs. score 2-4 cases to assess the accuracy of mpMRI for extravesical BCa detection (≥pT3). VI-RADS score performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. A Κ statistic was calculated to estimate mpMRI and pathological diagnostic agreement. The risk of delayed TTC (i.e. time from initial BCa diagnosis of >3 months) was assessed using multivariable logistic regression model., Results: A total of 149 T2-T4a, cN0-M0 patients (VI-RADS score 5, n = 39 vs VI-RADS score 2-4, n = 110) were examined. VI-RADS score 5 demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, in detecting extravesical disease of 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 84-94.3), 98.1% (95% CI 94-99.6), 94.9% (95% CI 89.6-97.6) and 96.4% (95% CI 91.6-98.6), respectively. The area under the curve was 94.2% (95% CI 88.7-99.7) and inter-reader agreement was excellent (Κ inter 0.89). The mean (SD) TTC was 4.2 (2.3) and 2.8 (1.1) months for score 5 vs 2-4, respectively (P < 0.001). VI-RADS score 5 was found to independently increase risk of delayed TTC (odds ratio 2.81, 95% CI 1.20-6.62)., Conclusion: The VI-RADS is valid and reliable in differentiating patients with extravesical disease from those with muscle-confined BCa before TURBT. Detection of VI-RADS score 5 was found to predict significant delay in TTC independently from other clinicopathological features. In the future, higher VI-RADS scores could potentially avoid the morbidity of extensive primary resections in favour of sampling-TUR for histology. Further prospective, larger, and multi-institutional trials are required to validate clinical applicability of our findings., (© 2020 The Authors BJU International © 2020 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Accurate staging of bladder cancer (BC) is critical, with local tumor staging directly influencing management decisions and affecting prognosis. However, clinical staging based on clinical examination, including cystoscopy and transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), often understages patients compared to final pathology at radical cystectomy and lymph node (LN) dissection, mainly due to underestimation of the depth of local invasion and the presence of LN metastasis. MRI has now become established as the modality of choice for the local staging of BC and can be additionally utilized for the assessment of regional LN involvement and tumor spread to the pelvic bones and upper urinary tract (UUT). The recent development of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) recommendations has led to further improvements in bladder MRI, enabling standardization of image acquisition and reporting. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) incorporating morphological and functional imaging has been proven to further improve the accuracy of primary and recurrent tumor detection and local staging, and has shown promise in predicting tumor aggressiveness and monitoring response to therapy. These sequences can also be utilized to perform radiomics, which has shown encouraging initial results in predicting BC grade and local stage. In this article, the current state of evidence supporting MRI in local, regional, and distant staging in patients with BC is reviewed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:649-667., (© 2020 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

The distinction of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and muscle-invasive bladder cancer is important for the selection of the optimal treatment. Multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) has been an useful modality for the T staging of bladder cancer, and a systematic evaluation of mp-MRI is needed. The Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System was designed to standardize the scanning and reporting criteria based on mp-MRI for clinical and research applications. This review briefly describes the method, interpretation, and timing of mp-MRI examinations in the clinical settings. Validation studies of Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System and future perspectives are also considered.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the natural history and management of bladder cancer, with insight into MRI applications for the assessment of muscle invasiveness of bladder cancer using the newly developed Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score. CONCLUSION. Multiparametric MRI and the VI-RADS score have been consistently validated across several different institutions as appropriate tools for local staging of bladder cancer and have been proven to contribute to the diagnostic workup and management of urinary bladder cancer.

Context: A noninvasive multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based scoring system for predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), the "Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System" (VI-RADS), was recently developed by an international multidisciplinary panel. Since then, a few studies evaluating the value of VI-RADS for predicting MIBC have been published., Objective: To review the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for the prediction of MIBC., Evidence Acquisition: PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched up to November 10, 2019. We included diagnostic accuracy studies using VI-RADS to predict MIBC using cystectomy or transurethral resection as the reference standard. Methodological quality was evaluated with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Sensitivity and specificity were pooled and plotted using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) modeling. Meta-regression analyses were done to explore heterogeneity., Evidence Synthesis: Six studies (1770 patients) were included. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-0.90) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.95), and the area under the HSROC curve was 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.95). Heterogeneity was present among the studies (Q = 29.442, p <  0.01; I 2  = 87.93%, and 90.99% for sensitivity and specificity). Meta-regression analyses showed that the number of patients (>205 vs ≤205), magnetic field strength (3 vs 1.5 T), T2-weighted image slice thickness (3 vs 4 mm), and VI-RADS cutoff score (≥3 vs ≥4) were significant factors affecting heterogeneity (p ≤  0.03)., Conclusions: VI-RADS shows good sensitivity and specificity for determining MIBC. Technical factors associated with MRI acquisition and cutoff scores need to be taken into consideration as they may affect performance., Patient Summary: A recently established noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging-based scoring system shows good diagnostic performance in detecting muscle-invasive bladder cancer., (Copyright © 2020 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: Accurate staging of bladder cancer is essential to guide appropriate management. In this review, we discuss the principles, applications and performance of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and PET-computer tomography (PET-CT) for local and distant staging of bladder cancer., Recent Findings: Bladder mpMRI has a high diagnostic performance in local staging of bladder cancer, superior to other imaging modalities. It can accurately differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from non-MIBC (NMIBC), as well as ≤T2 from ≥T3 stages. mpMRI can be used to assess pelvic lymph nodes, although its sensitivity is relatively low. For the assessment of the upper urinary tract, CT urography is the imaging modality of choice. magnetic resonance urography is a viable alternative to CT in selected cases. Although PET-CT is accurate for nodal and distant staging of bladder cancer, there is no clear evidence on its superior diagnostic performance compared with contrast-enhanced CT., Summary: mpMRI is the most accurate imaging modality for local staging of bladder cancer, capable to accurately distinguish MIBC from NMIBC. Nodal and distant staging relies primarily on contrast-enhanced CT.

Background: Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score is adopted to provide preoperative bladder cancer (BCa) staging. Repeated transurethral resection of bladder tumor (Re-TURBT) is recommended in most of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancers (HR-NMIBCs) due to possibility of persistent/understaged disease after initial TURBT. No diagnostic tools able to improve patient's stratification for such recommendation exist., Objective: To (1) prospectively validate VI-RADS for discriminating between NMIBC and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) at TURBT, and (2) evaluate the accuracy of VI-RADS for identifying HR-NMIBC patients who could avoid Re-TURBT and detecting those at higher risk for understaging after TURBT., Design, Setting, and Participants: Patients with BCa suspicion were offered multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) before TURBT. According to VI-RADS, a cutoff of ≥3 to define MIBC was assumed. TURBT reports were compared with preoperative VI-RADS scores to assess accuracy of mpMRI for discriminating between NMIBC and MIBC. HR-NMIBC Re-TURBT reports were compared with preoperatively recorded VI-RADS scores to assess mpMRI accuracy in predicting Re-TURBT outcomes., Intervention: Multiparametric MRI of the bladder before TURBT., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values were calculated for mpMRI performance in patients undergoing TURBT and for HR-NMIBC patients candidate for Re-TURBT. Performance of mpMRI was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Ƙ statistics was used to estimate inter- and intrareader variability., Results and Limitations: A total of 231 patients were enrolled. Multiparametric MRI showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for discriminating NMIBC from MIBC at initial TURBT of 91.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 82.2-97.3), 91.1% (95% CI: 85.8-94.9), 77.5% (95% CI: 65.8-86.7), and 97.1% (95% CI: 93.3-99.1), respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91-0.97). Among HR-NMIBC patients (n=114), mpMRI before TURBT showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 85% (95% CI: 62.1-96.8), 93.6% (95% CI: 86.6-97.6), 74.5% (95% CI: 52.4-90.1), and 96.6% (95% CI: 90.5-99.3) respectively, to identify patients with MIBC at Re-TURBT. The AUC was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.87-0.97)., Conclusions: VI-RADS is accurate for discriminating between NMIBC and MIBC. Within HR-NMIBC cases, VI-RADS could, in future, improve the selection of patients who are candidate for Re-TURBT., Patient Summary: We investigated the accuracy of Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score to asses bladder cancer staging before transurethral resection of bladder tumors, and we explored the performance of VI-RADS score as a future preoperative predictive tool for the selection of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients who are candidate for undergoing early repeated transurethral resection of the primary tumor site., (Copyright © 2019 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Initial clinical and pathological diagnostic workup of urinary bladder cancer is based on cystoscopy, transurethral resection of suspicious lesions, and computed tomography when indicated. Accurate staging is necessary for further therapeutic decision-making. This review summarizes the current status of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and the vesical imaging-reporting and data system (VI-RADS) classification. MpMRI may improve the accuracy of assessment of local tumor invasion compared to conventional imaging alone. VI-RADS standardizes reporting of MRI staging and classifies the likelihood of muscle-invasive bladder cancer into five categories. Preliminary data suggest low interobserver variability. However, prospective multicenter studies are necessary to validate the VI-RADS classification. Progress in functional, molecular, and hybrid imaging may further improve the accuracy of clinical tumor and nodal staging for bladder cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate accuracy and inter-observer variability using Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) for discrimination between non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)., Methods: Between September 2017 and July 2018, 78 patients referred for suspected bladder cancer underwent multiparametric MRI of the bladder (mpMRI) prior to transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). All mpMRI were reviewed by two radiologists, who scored each lesion according to VI-RADS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for each VI-RADS cutoff. Receiver operating characteristics curves were used to evaluate the performance of mpMRI. The Ƙ statistics was used to estimate inter-reader agreement., Results: Seventy-five patients were included in the final analysis, 53 with NMIBC and 22 with MIBC. Sensitivity and specificity were 91% and 89% for reader 1 and 82% and 85% for reader 2 respectively when the cutoff VI-RADS > 2 was used to define MIBC. At the same cutoff, PPV and NPV were 77% and 96% for reader 1 and 69% and 92% for reader 2. When the cutoff VI-RADS > 3 was used, sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 94% for reader 1 and 77% and 89% for reader 2. Corresponding PPV and NPV were 86% and 93% for reader 1 and 74% and 91% for reader 2. Area under curve was 0.926 and 0.873 for reader 1 and 2 respectively. Inter-reader agreement was good for the overall score (Ƙ = 0.731)., Conclusions: VI-RADS is accurate in differentiating MIBC from NMIBC. Inter-reader agreement is overall good., Key Points: • Traditionally, the local staging of bladder cancer relies on transurethral resection of bladder tumor. • However, transurethral resection of bladder tumor carries a significant risk of understaging a cancer; therefore, more accurate, faster, and non-invasive staging techniques are needed to improve outcomes. • Multiparametric MRI has proved to be the best imaging modality for local staging; therefore, its use in suitable patients has the potential to expedite radical treatment when necessary and non-invasive diagnosis in patients with poor fitness.

Context: Management of bladder cancer (BC) is primarily driven by stage, grade, and biological potential. Knowledge of each is derived using clinical, histopathological, and radiological investigations. This multimodal approach reduces the risk of error from one particular test, but may present a staging dilemma when results conflict. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) may improve patient care through imaging of the bladder with better resolution of the tissue planes than computed tomography and without radiation exposure., Objective: To define a standardized approach to imaging and reporting mpMRI for BC, by developing a VI-RADS score., Evidence Acquisition: We created VI-RADS (Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System) through consensus using existing literature., Evidence Synthesis: We describe standard imaging protocols and reporting criteria (including size, location, multiplicity, and morphology) for bladder mpMRI. We propose a five-point VI-RADS score, derived using T2-weighted MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast enhancement, which suggests the risks of muscle invasion. We include sample images used to understand VI-RADS., Conclusions: We hope that VI-RADS will standardize reporting, facilitate comparisons between patients, and in future years, will be tested and refined if necessary. While we do not advocate mpMRI for all patients with BC, this imaging may compliment pathology or reduce radiation-based imaging. Bladder mpMRI may be most useful in patients with non-muscle-invasive cancers, in expediting radical treatment or for determining response to bladder-sparing approaches., Patient Summary: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for bladder cancer are becoming more common and may provide accurate information that helps improve patient care. Here, we describe a standardized reporting criterion for bladder MRI. This should improve communication between doctors and allow better comparisons between patients., (Copyright © 2018 European Association of Urology. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Our goal is to determine the ability of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)., Methods: Patients underwent mpMRI before tumour resection. Four MRI sets, i.e. T2-weighted (T2W) + perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI), T2W plus diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2W + DWI + PWI, and T2W + DWI + PWI + dif-fusion tensor imaging (DTI) were interpreted qualitatively by two radiologists, blinded to histology results. PWI, DWI and DTI were also analysed quantitatively. Accuracy was determined using histopathology as the reference standard., Results: A total of 82 tumours were analysed. Ninety-six percent of T1-labeled tumours by the T2W + DWI + PWI image set were confirmed to be NMIBC at histopathology. Overall accuracy of the complete mpMRI protocol was 94% in differentiating NMIBC from MIBC. PWI, DWI and DTI quantitative parameters were shown to be significantly different in cancerous versus non-cancerous areas within the bladder wall in T2-labelled lesions., Conclusions: MpMRI with DWI and DTI appears a reliable staging tool for bladder cancer. If our data are validated, then mpMRI could precede cystoscopic resection to allow a faster recognition of MIBC and accelerated treatment pathways., Key Points: • A critical step in BCa staging is to differentiate NMIBC from MIBC. • Morphological and functional sequences are reliable techniques in differentiating NMIBC from MIBC. • Diffusion tensor imaging could be an additional tool in BCa staging.

Bladder carcinoma is the most common tumor among the low urinary tract, accounting for 90% of cancer cases. Conventional cystoscopy represents the gold standard for diagnosis and local management of bladder carcinoma. As the prevalence of transitional cell carcinoma is four-fold greater in men than in women, the endoscopic procedure presents objective difficulties related to the length and bending of male urethra. The most important problems are represented by intense discomfort for the patient and bleeding; furthermore, the high cost, invasivity, and local complications such as infections and mechanical lesions are well-known drawbacks. Additionally, conventional cystoscopy does not provide information about extravescical extensions of the tumor. CT cystography, combined with virtual cystoscopy, is mandatory for TNM staging of the tumor and also is useful when conventional cystoscopy is inconclusive or cannot be performed. We presents the CT cystography findings with virtual endoscopy correlation and bladder carcinoma appearance.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of computed tomography cystography (CTC) and virtual cystoscopy (VC) with 64-slice CT in diagnosing bladder lesions using flexible cystoscopy as the reference standard., Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight patients with suspected bladder cancer and ten patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the bladder were studied by CTC and VC in both the supine and prone positions after distending the bladder with air. The patient population was divided into three groups based on lesion size at flexible cystoscopy. Results of the CT study were compared with those of flexible cystoscopy., Results: Flexible cystoscopy depicted 88 bladder lesions in the 38 patients examined. Sensitivity and specificity values of CTC and VC alone were constantly lower than those of the combined-approach (group 1: 93.10% and 92.31%; group 2: 100% and 100%; group 3: 100% and 100%, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the combined approach decreases the lower dimensional threshold for lesion detection (1.4 mm)., Conclusions: VC and CTC with 64-slice CT are promising diagnostic techniques for bladder cancers measuring 1-5 mm. Further studies on larger patient populations are required to validate our results.