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BACKGROUND/AIM Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is an aggressive disease with high rates of local recurrence following radical cystectomy (RC). Currently, there are no clinically validated biomarkers to predict local only recurrence (LOR) and guide adjuvant treatment decisions. This pilot study evaluated the role of Ki-67, MRE11 and PD-L1 as predictive biomarkers for recurrence patterns in patients undergoing RC for MIBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Our institutional cystectomy database containing cases from 1992-2014 was queried for patients with local only recurrence (LOR), and case-matched to patients with distant recurrence (DR) and no recurrence (NR). Clinicopathological data were collected and a tissue microarray was analyzed for presence of Ki-67, MRE11, and PD-L1 using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Pathologic specimens from 42 patients (18 NR, 16 LOR, and 8 DR) were reviewed. Compared to normal bladder tissue, tumors had increased expression of Ki-67 (p

Objectives: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is an uncommon, yet lethal tumor of the urinary tract. Diagnosis and preoperative risk stratification of these patients present distinct challenges given the limitations of current available diagnostic tools, including endoscopic biopsy and imaging. Herein, we explore the feasibility and clinical performance of a urine-based epigenetic assay in the diagnosis of patients with UTUC. Methods: Under an institutional review board-approved protocol, voided urine samples were prospectively collected using the Bladder CARE Urine Collection Kit (Pangea Laboratory LLC, CA, USA) from primary UTUC patients before any genitourinary manipulation between November 2019 and March 2022. All patients were confirmed to have UTUC in the final specimen. A 1:1 age/sex-matched group of cancer-free healthy donors (control group) was also included in the study. “Healthy” status was based on self-reporting and defined as no history of any type of tumor. Urine samples were analyzed with Bladder CARE, a urine-based test that measures the methylation level of 3 urothelial cancer-specific biomarkers (TRNA-Cys, SIM2, and NKX1-1) and two internal control loci using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes coupled with qPCR. Results were reported as Bladder CARE Index (BCI) score and categorized as “positive” (BCI > 5), “high risk” (2.5 < BCI ≤ 5) or “negative” (BCI ≤ 2.5). Association between BCI score and category, and clinical and pathological findings was assessed. Results: A total of 50 patients (40 males and 10 females) with a median age of 72 (64-79) years were included in the final analysis. Six patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Surgical procedures included RNU (n=40), ureterectomy (n=7), and URS (n=3). All patients who underwent URS were confirmed to have UTUC through biopsy. Among UTUC patients, Bladder CARE test resulted positive in 47, high-risk in 1, and negative in 2 patients. Comparing Bladder CARE test results with tumor pathologic features demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between BCI values and tumor size (p = 0.009). UTUC patients had significantly higher BCI values compared to the controls (mean BCI 189.3 vs. 1.6, respectively; p < 0.0001). ROC curve showed an AUC of 0.9662 (95% CI = 0.9296-1). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of Bladder CARE to detect UTUC were 96%, 88%, 88.9%, and 95.7%, respectively. In comparison, the sensitivity of urine cytology in our cohort was 37%. Conclusions: In this prospective pilot study, the proposed urine-based epigenetic test (Bladder CARE) showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value in the diagnosis of patients with UTUC. In addition, the sensitivity of this test was exceedingly higher than the standard urine cytology. A larger sample size study to validate the accuracy of this test is the next step. Citation Format: Paolo Piatti, Alireza Ghoreifi, Sanam Seyedian, Yap Ching Chew, Benjamin Jara, Lucy Sanossian, Jeffrey Bhasin, Michael Basin, Taikun Yamada, Gerhard Fuchs, Sumeet Bhanvadia, Rene Sotelo, Andrew Hung, Monish Aron, Mihir Desai, Inderbir Gill, Siamak Daneshmand, Gangning Liang, Hooman Djaladat. A urine-based DNA methylation marker test to detect upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a prospective pilot study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3296.

To examine the oncological outcomes and recurrence patterns in patients with no residual disease at the time of radical cystectomy (RC).A retrospective review of our IRB-approved bladder cancer database identified patients who underwent RC between 2000 and 2019 and were found to have no residual disease (pT0N0), either following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) or transurethral resection (TURBT) alone. The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS). Regression models assessed factors influencing recurrence, and a detailed description of recurrence patterns was compiled.From a total of 2222 patients, 234 (10.5%) were included with a median age of 67 years. NAC was used in 89 (38%) patients and 145 (62%) cases were rendered pT0 following TURBT alone. At a median follow-up of 44 months, there were 16 (6.8%) recurrences, 10 (63%) of which occurred in the ypT0 group. None of the patients with clinical Ta/Tis disease had a recurrence after RC. The median time to recurrence was 9 months. Ninety-one percent (10/11) of recurrences in the ypT0 group were within 2 years of cystectomy, while half of the recurrences in the pT0 group occurred after 2 years. Patients with ypT0 had worse 2- and 5-year RFS compared to the pT0 group (85% and 84% vs. 99% and 95%, respectively; P = 0.003). Variant histology was noted in 49 (21%) patients; the recurrence rate was higher in this subgroup compared to those with pure urothelial carcinoma (12.2% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.02). Lung metastasis and involvement of distant organs, while rare, were noted at similar rates in both groups.Patients with pT0N0 pathology at the time of cystectomy should prudently undergo long-term surveillance as recurrence and metastasis can still develop up to 4 years after surgery. Patients achieving ypT0 after NAC exhibit worse prognosis and shorter times to recurrence, closer follow-up may be considered.

PURPOSE: We investigated the association between race and FT among previous patients with cancer. Studies show that patients with cancer experience financial toxicity (FT) because of their cancer treatment. METHODS: Data on individuals with a cancer history were collected in this cross-sectional study during 2012, 2014, and 2017, from the US Health Information National Trends Survey. This survey is conducted by mail with monetary compensation as an incentive. We specifically assessed responses to two questions: Has cancer hurt you financially? Have you been denied health insurance because of cancer? Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between these questions and race. RESULTS: Of 10,592 individuals participating, 1,328 men and women (12.5%) with a cancer history were assessed. Compared with Blacks, Whites were found to have a higher rate of insurance (95.4% v 90.0%), were more likely to receive cancer treatment (93.9% v 85%), and had a higher rate of surgical treatment than Blacks (77% v 60%), Hispanics (55%), and others (77%, 60%, 55%, and 74.2%, respectively, P < .001). On multivariable analysis, Blacks were more than five times as likely to be denied insurance (odds ratio, 5.003; 95% CI, 2.451 to 10.213; P < .001) and more than twice as likely to report being hurt financially because of cancer (odds ratio, 2.448; 95% CI, 1.520 to 3.941; P < .001) than Whites. Of all cancer groups analyzed (genitourinary, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and breast), genitourinary malignancies were the only group in which the rate of reporting being hurt financially varied in a statistically significant manner (Whites 36.7%, Hispanics 62.5%, and Blacks 59.3%, P = .004). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that race is significantly associated with FT because of cancer. Awareness of racial inequality with regards to FT should be raised among health care workers.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:While racial disparities in bladder cancer (BC) outcomes have been described, it is unclear to what degree foreign-born status contributes to disparities among racial/eth...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) remains the gold standard for treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Intravesical recurrence after RNU occurs relatively f...

To examine the effect of diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS) and ureteral access sheath usage on bladder recurrence following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent RNU between 2005 - 2019. Patients with a history of bladder cancer and those without a bladder cuff resection were excluded. Bladder recurrence was the primary outcome and cox regression modeling was used to assess the impact of URS adjusting for other factors.Out of 271 RNU cases, 143 were included with a median age of 73 years (IQR 65 - 80). URS was performed in 104 cases (73%) and a ureteral access sheath was used in 26 (25%). With a median follow-up of 27 months, there were 36 (25%) bladder recurrences. The bladder recurrence rate (median time to recurrence) for patients who had URS vs no URS was 30.8% (9.0 months) and 7.7% (12.1 months), respectively (P = .02). A lower recurrence rate was noted in patients whom a ureteral access sheath was utilized (11.5%) vs those with no access sheath (39.7%, P = .01). Multivariable analysis revealed a significant increase in bladder recurrence if URS was performed prior to RNU (HR 5.6 [1.7 - 18.5], P.004), however, this effect was mitigated if a ureteral access sheath was used (HR 1.3, [0.3 - 6.4], P = .76). Ureteral stent usage and performing a ureteroscopic biopsy had no significant effect on bladder recurrence.Diagnostic URS in patients undergoing RNU for UTUC significantly increases the risk of bladder recurrence. This effect may be mitigated by using a ureteral access sheath.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the intra/perioperative fluid management and early postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent radical cystectomy with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol, using goal-directed fluid therapy compared to conventional fluid therapy. This cohort study included patients who underwent open RC for urothelial bladder carcinoma with intent to cure and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol between May 2012 and August 2019. Patients who had palliative or salvage cystectomy and/or adjunct procedures, as well as those with missing detailed perioperative data were excluded. Data were compared between patients who received goal-directed fluid therapy using stroke volume variation by FloTrac™/Vigileo system (n = 119) and conventional fluid therapy based on the anesthesiologist discretion (n = 192). Primary outcome variable was 90-day complications and secondary outcome measures included in-hospital GFR trend, length of stay, and 90-day readmission. The goal-directed fluid therapy group received less total and net intra/perioperative fluid, yet early postoperative glomerular filtration rate trends were similar between both groups (p = 0.7). Estimated blood loss, blood transfusion, index hospital stay, 90-day complication and readmission rates were also comparable between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant association between perioperative fluid management method and 90-day complication rate (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8–2.4, p = 0.2). Stroke volume variation guided goal-directed fluid therapy is safe in radical cystectomy without compromising the renal function. It is associated with less intra- and perioperative fluid infusion; however, no association with hospital stay, 90-day complication or readmission rates were noted.

OBJECTIVE To report sexual health outcomes in male patients undergoing open radical cystoprostatectomy using a validated questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS Beginning in 2017, male patients were asked to complete a validated questionnaire during scheduled post-cystectomy clinic visits that assessed sexual function using the 5 item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and supplemental questions which evaluated libido, orgasm, partner interest, and adequacy of pre-operative counselling. Baseline data and functional outcomes were compared and multivariable analysis performed. RESULTS A total of 134 patients who met inclusion criteria completed the questionnaire. Pre-operative IIEF-5 was available in 78 patients with a median score of 16 (IQR:5-23). In those patients, median age at cystectomy was 68.9 years (IQR:60.2-72.4) and median duration of follow-up was 17.3 months (IQR:6.3-28.7). Median IIEF-5 score at time of survey completion was 1 (IQR:1-11). Increasing age, shorter follow-up duration, insufficient counselling, and absence of partner interest were predictive of lower scores. Younger age, pre-operative erectile function, and neurovascular preservation were predictive of a higher IIEF-5 score on univariate and multivariate analysis. Median libido score was 2 “low” (IQR:1-3) and ability to orgasm was reported by 34 (43.6%) patients. Neurovascular preservation (OR:3.03 95% CI:1.10-8.26, P = .03) and sufficient preoperative counselling (OR:3.078 95% CI:1.17-8.098, P = .02) were associated with preserved ability to orgasm. Libido was influenced by partner interest (OR 11.7, 95% CI:3.793–6.14, P CONCLUSION Sexual dysfunction after radical cystoprostatectomy is prevalent with many contributing factors. As such, establishing appropriate expectations and goals during preoperative counseling, performing neurovascular preservation when appropriate, and readily identifying and treating dysfunction in follow-up may improve sexual recovery.

Background Muscle invasive bladder (MIBC) cancer is an aggressive disease with high rates of local recurrence following radical cystectomy (RC). Currently, there are no clinically validated biomarkers to predict local only recurrence (LOR) and guide adjuvant treatment decisions. This pilot study evaluated the role of Ki-67, MRE11 and PD-L1 as predictive biomarkers for recurrence patterns in patients undergoing RC for MIBC. Methods: Our institutional cystectomy database containing cases of urothelial MIBC from 1992–2014 was queried for patients with LOR and case-matched with patients who had distant recurrence (DR) and no recurrence (NR). Clinical and histopathological data were collected from selected patients and a tissue microarray was built and analyzed for presence of Ki-67, MRE11 and PD-L1 using immunofluorescence (IF) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Univariate, multivariate, and principal component analyses (PCA) were performed to evaluate association of these biomarkers with recurrence pattern. Results: Pathologic specimens from 42 patients (18 NR, 16 LOR and 8 DR) were reviewed. Compared to adjacent normal bladder tissue, tumors had increased expression of PD-L1 on both IHC and IF (p

Objectives To investigate the prevalence of catheterisation and urinary retention in male patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy (RC) and orthotopic neobladder (ONB) and to identify potential predictors. Patients and methods Using an Institutional Review Board approved, prospectively maintained bladder cancer database, we collected information using a diversion-related questionnaire from 299 consecutive male patients with bladder cancer upon postoperative clinic visit. Urinary retention was defined as ≥3 catheterisations/day or a self-reported inability to void without a catheter. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of catheterisation and urinary retention. Results Self-catheterisation was reported in 51 patients (17%), of whom, 22 (7.4% of the total patients) were in retention. Freedom from any catheterisation at 3, 5, and 10 years after RC was 85%, 77%, and 62%, respectively. Freedom from retention at 3, 5, and 10 years after RC was 93%, 88%, and 79%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression showed that higher body mass index (BMI; ≥27 kg/m2 ) significantly increased the need for catheterisation (hazard ratio [HR] 2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-4.32) as well as retention (HR 5.20, 95% CI 1.74-15.51). Greater medical comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥2) correlated with the need for any catheterisation (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.02-3.3), but not retention. Pathological stage and type of diversion were not significant predictors of the need to catheterise or urinary retention. Conclusion In males undergoing RC with ONB, retention requiring catheterisation to void is uncommon. Patients with a BMI of ≥27 kg/m2 are at significantly increased risk of retention and need for self-catheterisation.

Context Financial toxicity (FT) refers to the detrimental effects of financial strain caused by a cancer diagnosis on the well-being of patients and their families. It is highly prevalent among cancer patients and has been associated with inferior clinical outcomes. Objective To summarize the literature regarding FT among patients with prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer, and to propose a framework for future FT investigations. Evidence acquisition Primary manuscripts and abstracts reporting FT as a primary or secondary outcome or a covariate in patients with prostate, bladder, or kidney cancer, published before May 2020, were retrieved using the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Of 629 titles identified, 19, ten, and two studies met the inclusion criteria for prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer, respectively, and were included (24 unique articles). Evidence synthesis Significant heterogeneity was observed in covariates, methodology, and measure of FT. Factors commonly associated with FT included younger age at diagnosis, black race, low socioeconomic status, low education attainment, and rurality. FT was commonly associated with lower quality of life and nonadherence. FT was common among patients in countries with universal health coverage as well as those without, although the nature of these costs differed. Conclusions Despite paucity of literature, it is suggested that FT is common among patients with prostate and bladder cancer, and remains uncharacterized in kidney cancer patients. Future work will benefit from the incorporation of a formal FT framework, utilization of validated FT instruments to characterize FT consistently, and inclusion of FT measures in outcomes reported by patients with genitourinary cancers. Patient summary Financial toxicity affects many prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer patients; however, this toxicity is understudied. It is associated with decreased quality of life and lower medication and treatment adherence.

An 82 year-old female presents with severe, sharp right-sided chest, shoulder and flank pain, worse with deep inspiration. Cardiac workup is negative for myocardial ischemia or aortic dissection. Computed tomography demonstrates a right posterior diaphragmatic (Bochdalek) hernia, involving the right extra-renal pelvis and proximal ureter, with an associated delayed nephrogram and mild hydronephrosis. There is no obstructing nephrolithiasis. The patient is taken to the operating room and right-sided double-J ureteral stent is placed (Fig. 1), with immediate resolution of pain. Diaphragmatic hernia repair in coordination with urology and general surgery is scheduled.

Adrenal incidentalomas are being discovered with increasing frequency, and their discovery poses a challenge to clinicians. Despite the 2002 National Institutes of Health consensus statement, there are still discrepancies in the most recent guidelines from organizations representing endocrinology, endocrine surgery, urology and radiology. We review recent guidelines across the specialties involved in diagnosing and treating adrenal incidentalomas, and discuss points of agreement as well as controversy among guidelines.PubMed®, Scopus®, Embase™ and Web of Science™ databases were searched systematically in November 2019 in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement to identify the most recently updated committee produced clinical guidelines in each of the 4 specialties. Five articles met the inclusion criteria.There is little debate among the reviewed guidelines as to the initial evaluation of an adrenal incidentaloma. All patients with a newly discovered adrenal incidentaloma should receive an unenhanced computerized tomogram and hormone screen. The most significant points of divergence among the guidelines regard reimaging an initially benign appearing mass, repeat hormone testing and management of an adrenal incidentaloma that is not easily characterized as benign or malignant on computerized tomography. The guidelines range from actively recommending against any repeat imaging and hormone screening to recommending a repeat scan as early as in 3 to 6 months and annual hormonal screening for several years.After reviewing the guidelines and the evidence used to support them we posit that best practices lie at their convergence and have presented our management recommendations on how to navigate the guidelines when they are discrepant.

A review of the impact of several key patient characteristics on oncologic outcomes in bladder cancer (BC) summarized and analyzed in a narrative fashion. The bulk of the published literature suggests that females and blacks have poorer cancer-specific outcomes. Both groups tend to present with worse disease, which may be driven by differences in access to timely and quality care. Attempts to assess the association between smoking status and history and BC outcomes have been hindered by the quality and heterogeneity of the data, although several studies have linked smoking with higher rates of recurrence and poorer survival. Being married, particularly in men, may improve survival after radical cystectomy (RC). Limited data suggests that socioeconomic and education levels may be associated with poorer survival; however, the data is limited. A growing body of investigation suggests that there are significant differences in oncologic outcomes in BC patients based on race, gender, smoking status, socioeconomic status, and others. Further focus and investigation is needed to validate these findings, investigate the root cause of these differences, and offer solutions to mitigate them.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion (UD) is a complex operation with associated morbidity. Recent studies have demonstrated the existence of a urinary microbiom...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy provides a survival benefit compared to cystectomy alone in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), but only in those who respond at least partial...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:We sought to determine oncological outcomes among patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder with positive lymph nodes (L...

To perform an internal audit 5 years after implementation of our enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for patients undergoing radical cystectomy and to investigate the importance of physician driven compliance on outcomes. Using a prospectively maintained database, 472 consecutive patients were identified who underwent radical cystectomy with ERAS from July 2013 to July 2017. Compliance was measured by a Composite Compliance Score (CCS) generated as a percentage of 16 interventions. Patients with higher than median compliance were compared to patients with lower compliance. The primary outcome was length of stay. Secondary outcomes included complication and readmission rates. Multivariable regressions were used to control for differences between groups. In 2013, median CCS was 81% and subsequently ranged from 81 to 88%. Five-year median CCS was 88%. Patients with higher compliance (CCS ≥ 88%, n = 262), as compared to those with lower compliance (CCS

576 Background: Bladder cancer patients can achieve no residual disease status at the time of radical cystectomy (RC) following transurethral resection (TURBT) alone (pT0) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (ypT0). This population has favorable survival potential, yet limited data is available on their oncological outcomes. We examined the recurrence patterns in these patients and the implications for post-operative surveillance. Methods: A retrospective review of our IRB-approved bladder cancer database identified patients who underwent RC between 2000 - 2019 and were found to have no residual disease (pT0N0). The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: A total of 234 patients with a median age of 67 years were included. NAC was used in 89 (38%) patients and 145 (62%) cases were rendered pT0 following TURBT alone. After a median follow up of 44 months, 6/145 (4%) pT0 patients and 10/89 (11.2%) ypT0 cases developed a recurrence. None of the pT0 patients with previous history of clinical Ta/Tis disease had a recurrence after RC. The median time to recurrence was 9 months. All but one of the recurrences in the ypT0 group were within 2 years of cystectomy, while half of the recurrences in the pT0 group occurred after 2 years. Patients with ypT0 had worse 2- and 5-year RFS compared to the pT0 group (85% and 84% vs. 99% and 95%, respectively; p=0.003). Variant histology was noted in 49 (21%) patients and the recurrence rate was higher in this subgroup compared to those with pure urothelial carcinoma (12.2% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.02). Lung metastasis and involvement of distant organs, while rare, was noted at similar rates in both groups (Table). On univariate Cox regression analysis of RFS, clinical T stage > 3 (HR: 6.5, 95%CI: 2.4 – 17.3, p

To validate the relationship between ABO blood type and risk of VTE post-RC in a large retrospective database. Patients with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) who underwent RC (intent-to-cure) for whom ABO blood type was available between 2003 and 2015 were identified from our IRB-approved database. VTE was defined as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) within 90 days of surgery. VTE prophylaxis consisted of immediate postoperative Coumadin (2003–2009), unfractionated heparin (UFH) during hospitalization (2009–2015), and UFH during hospitalization plus 4 weeks of enoxaparin after discharge (2013–2015). Univariable and multivariable analyses of the association of ABO blood type with postoperative, symptomatic VTE and oncologic outcomes were performed. Of 1341 patients, 595 (44.4%) were ABO type O and 746 (55.6%) were non-O (A, B and AB). 90 patients were diagnosed with VTE within 90 days of surgery (6.7%) (43% DVT-only, 57% PE ± DVT). On multivariable analysis non-O blood type was associated with a nearly twofold increased risk of VTE (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.215–3.098, p = 0.004). No difference in recurrence-free survival or overall survival was seen between ABO groups. Non-O blood type is an independent, non-modifiable risk factor for postoperative VTE after RC. More comprehensive counseling and thromboprophylaxis should be considered in this high-risk group.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy, a standard approach for de novo metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of cytokine therapy, has been upheld during the age of targeted therapy on the basis of retrospective data. Now, the first level I prospective data from the CARMENA and SURTIME trials challenge this standard.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Midline extraperitoneal retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (EP-RPLND) for testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) has been shown to have significantly decreased morbidity c...

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer among males and poses a significant financial burden, yet there are no large-scale studies focused on the correlation between socioeconomic (SES) and insurance status and bladder cancer outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of SES and insurance type on outcomes in bladder cancer.A population-based search was performed using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database. Patients aged 18 or older and diagnosed with bladder cancer between 2011 and 2015 were identified. Data on patient demographics, SES features, insurance status, tumor characteristics, and survival were collected. A county-level SES measure was created in a method consistent with prior literature. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).A total of 91,308 patients were identified. Factors predictive of having muscle invasive disease included having Medicaid insurance, having no insurance, and being in the lowest SES quartile (all P0.001). Having Medicaid or no insurance was predictive of having node positive or metastatic disease (P0.001). Independent of T stage, patients in the lowest and second lowest SES quartiles had worse OS (P = 0.004 and P = 0.022, respectively) and DSS (P0.001 for both). Patients with Medicaid or no insurance had worse OS and DSS (P0.001 for all).Lower SES status, Medicaid insurance, and having no insurance were all predictive of having higher tumor stage. Independent of tumor stage, being of lower SES, having Medicaid insurance, and having no insurance predicted worse OS and DSS.

496 Background: We have previously shown the prognostic value of three tumor markers (TMs) including Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Current report presents an update on TM levels before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and their association with oncological outcomes. Methods: Serum levels of three TMs were prospectively measured in patients with MIBC who underwent NAC between 2011 and 2019. Rate of pathological upstaging (Path-U) and recurrence-free (RFS) was compared between patients with: (1) Elevated versus normal pre-NAC TM (2) Elevated versus normal post-NAC TM, and (3) Elevated pre-NAC TMs with normalized post-NAC TMs (TM responders) versus persistently elevated post-NAC TMs (TM non responders). Results: Of a total of 199 patients, 63 patients had both pre- and post-NAC TMs. 33/63 (52%) patients had elevated pre-NAC TM of whom, 15/33 (45%) were TM responders. Patients with elevated pre-NAC TM had significantly higher rate of Path-U compared to those with normal pre-NAC TM (62% vs. 22.5%, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in Path-U in the other two comparison groups. Patients with elevated pre- and post-NAC TM had significantly lower RFS. Compared to TM responders, TM non responders had significantly higher rate of recurrence (70% vs 34%) and shorter median time to recurrence (4.2 months vs 13.5 months) (P = 0.03). In six patients with recurrence who had complete post cystectomy TM, TM recurrence preceded clinical recurrence by median of 1.2 months (IQR 0.8 – 2.4 months). Conclusions: Elevated TM prior to NAC is associated with pathologic upstaging. TM elevation pre- or post-NAC predicts a worse outcome. Post-cystectomy TM might play a role in earlier detection of recurrence.

To evaluate pathologic downstaging after radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection for clinically lymph node positive urothelial bladder cancer and to determine optimal preoperative imaging variables in predicting pathologic nodal status.We identified all patients with clinically lymph node positive urothelial bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection with intent to cure at our institution. Patients were stratified based on pathologic node status to determine clinical associations and survival outcomes. Pre and post-chemotherapy CT scans were reviewed to characterize lymph node size and morphology. We also sought to determine associations between post-chemotherapy radiology variables and pathologic response.We identified 130 patients with clinically node positive bladder cancer, out of which 76 (58.5%) received induction chemotherapy. Thirty three (43.4%) had pathologic T downstaging following chemotherapy, compared to 7 (12.9%) patients who had surgery alone (P0.0001). A complete nodal response (pN0) occurred in 31 (40.8%) patients post-chemotherapy, while 6 (11.1%) of those who received cystectomy alone ended up being pN0 (P0.0001). Median overall survival and recurrence-free survival were shorter in patients with pN+ versus pN0 disease (1.9 years vs. 12.8 years, P= 0.016 and 1.2 years vs. 4.3 years, P= 0.013, respectively). Review of 29 post chemotherapy CT scans showed that patients with pathologic nodal involvement had a greater median number of enlarged nodes (3.5 vs. 1, P= 0.038) and a greater median size of largest node (8.5 mm vs. 6.0 mm, P= 0.021) on imaging compared to those with complete pN0. Each 1 mm increase in size of the largest node on post-chemotherapy CT scan increased the chance of having pN+ disease by 1.57 (95% CI 1.02-2.44, P= 0.043). Using a median node size of 8 mm as a cut-off to predict pN+ disease provided a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 80%, respectively (c-index = 0.761, P= 0.014). The positive predictive value for this cut-off was 87% (95% CI 58%-98%) and negative predictive value was 62% (32%-85%).Patients with clinically node positive bladder cancer may have significant pN0 after induction chemotherapy. Our data suggest a post-chemotherapy CT scan with an 8 mm nodal size cut-off may be a better predictor of pathologic nodal status than more traditional measures.

Background: The term “financial toxicity” (FT) describes the negative financial impact of a cancer diagnosis on the household; and research suggests that FT has a prevalence of 25-50% among cancer patients. In bladder cancer (BC), the 5th most common malignancy in the U.S., but one of the highest cost per capita of cancer sites, prevalence has been reported to be 25%. No published studies to date, however, have assessed FT using a validated measure and in-depth exploration of the association between patient factors and time from diagnosis in BC. The goal for the present study was to investigate the association between time since BC diagnosis (TSD) and FT. Methods: Patients with high risk non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive BC were enrolled from an NCI designated cancer center (N = 100). The 12- item Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) was used to assess FT. Additional data, such as BC diagnosis date, was abstracted from the medical records and conversations with patients. In order to determine the associations between sociodemographic and clinicopathologic variables and FT, bivariate analyses were conducted. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to determine whether TSD (1 year or less vs. more than 1 year) was associated with FT. Results: Bivariate analyses showed that FT was not statistically significantly associated with TSD and that TSD was not statistically significantly associated with any sociodemographic characteristics (e.g. race/ethnicity, primarily language, education, gender) in our study. Simple and adjusted multivariable logistic regression results showed that TSD was not statistically significantly associated with FT. Next, we explored individual items in the 12-item COST scale, and found that patients who have been diagnosed 1 year or less had higher odds of not feeling in control of their current financial situation compared to those who had been diagnosed more than 1 year ago (OR = 2.933; CI:1.009, 8.547). Conclusion: While TSD was not statistically significantly associated with the full COST scale measuring FT in our study, we did find an association between TSD and feeling of control in one’s current financial situation. These results suggest that different aspects of FT may be more/less relevant for BC patients at different points in the cancer care continuum, and that feeling in control of one’s finances can potentially increase as TSD increases. To better understand the influence of socioeconomic resources on BC care related outcomes, further research is needed to explicate the specific aspects of FT that are relevant to patients as they manage and navigate cancer care. Citation Format: Sumeet K. Bhanvadia, Leora Steinberg, Kailyn Koh, Siamak Daneshmand, Weizhou Tang, Reginald Tucker-Seeley. Time from bladder cancer diagnosis and financial toxicity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-084.

133 Background: Due to a long course of surveillance, and for some patients, multimodal therapy with chemotherapy and surgery, bladder cancer (BC) can present a financial burden to the household. Yet, there are several terms used to describe this burden such as financial hardship and financial toxicity (FT); and it is unclear whether different measures of financial circumstances are correlated and whether they are associated with quality of life (QOL). The goal of this study was to determine whether FT and financial well-being (FWB) were correlated and to determine whether FT and FWB were similarly associated with QOL among BC patients. Methods: Patients that had BC treatment in the last 2 years were recruited from two NCI designated cancer centers for our study (N = 100). The Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) was used to assess FT, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) FWB measure was used to assess FWB, and a BC-specific Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) questionnaire was used to assess physical, social, emotional, and functional domains of QOL. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine the association among FT, FWB, and QOL; and separate logistic regression analyses predicting FT and FWB were used to determine the association between FT and FWB and each domain of QOL. Results: Bivariate results showed that FT and FWB were highly negatively correlated (r = -.76; p < .0001); however, only FWB was correlated with the total QOL score (p < .05). FT was correlated with physical (p < .01), emotional (p < .05), and functional (p < .05) QOL; and FWB was correlated with physical (p < .05) and functional (p < .05) QOL. Logistic regression models adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics showed that those reporting higher physical QOL (OR = 1.18; CI: 1.04-1.35) and higher functional QOL (OR = 1. 15; CI: 1.03-1.28) had higher odds of reporting high FWB. Conclusions: Given the surveillance and treatment processes for BC patients, it is important to better understand their financial circumstances as they are navigating and managing care. Our results suggest that physical and functional QOL is relevant for predicting FWB, but after considering socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, no domain of QOL was a significant predictor of FT among BC patients.

e17064 Background: Surveillance of stage I GCTs includes periodic imaging of chest, abdomen and pelvis. Currently the AUA guidelines recommends CT scan of the abdomen with or without the pelvis as well as chest x ray during active surveillance for these patients. Efforts to modify the surveillance protocols aim to minimize radiation exposure in this young patient population. Per our institutional protocol, we limit cross sectional imaging to CT of the abdomen only during surveillance of stage I disease. Here we report our outcomes to determine whether any recurrence was missed or delayed based on this protocol. Methods: All patient with clinical stage I GCT who have been under active surveillance and completed at least 2 year follow up at our institution were selected using our institutional testis cancer database. Clinical and demographic information were reviewed including recurrence pattern and tumor marker status at time of recurrence. Results: A total of 89 patients who had complete follow up information in the database were included in the study. 49/89 (55%) patients had non-seminoma or mixed GCT histology. 5/89 (5%) patients had history of cryptorchidism and 16/89 (18%) patients had history of inguinal surgery. 14/89 (15%) had relapse at a median of 6.8 months. Recurrence was first detected on surveillance imaging (Imaging recurrence) in 11/14 (78%), by rising tumor markers (marker recurrence) in 2/14 (14%), and on physical exam (clinical recurrence) in 1/14 (7%) patients. Of patients with marker or clinical recurrence, only one had evidence of retroperitoneal recurrence which was detectable by CT abdomen and the other two had lung metastasis detected by chest X ray. Only one patient with imaging recurrence had pelvic lymphadenopathy which was large enough to be seen on CT abdomen. Conclusions: CT scan of the abdomen only in combination with chest imaging, tumor markers and physical exam detected 100% of recurrences in this series. CT pelvis can be safely omitted during active surveillance of stage I GCT. Future modification in guidelines for surveillance protocols of stage I GCT may be warranted with further mounting evidence.