Evaluation and follow-up strategies for superficial bladder cancer.

Superficial bladder cancer comprises the majority of bladder tumors presenting today. Although the word "superficial" connotes a benign behaving curable disease, it is clear from long-term observations of the natural history of the disease that there are two discrete entities of superficial bladder cancer, one a low-grade innocuous tumor and the other a high-grade potentially lethal tumor. These two entities vary in their histologic appearance, risk of tumor recurrence, pattern of recurrence, and risk of tumor progression. Although work on prognostic markers is promising, currently none are sufficiently reliable; therefore, clinical factors are used to identify patients with a higher risk of tumor recurrence or progression. These include the tumor stage, tumor grade, number of tumors (multifocality), presence of associated carcinoma in situ, and initial response to therapy. Surveillance schedules are individualized based on the risks for recurrence and progression. High-risk patients who undergo successful treatment of their bladder tumor initially recur more commonly in the bladder, but have a progressive risk over time of extravesical recurrences necessitating lifelong surveillance of the bladder, urethra, prostate, and upper tracts. Patients who are refractory to conservative management with intravesical therapy and TUR should be apprised of the risks for further conservative treatment and consider early radical cystectomy in an attempt to improve long-term survival. The advent and long-term success of orthotopic continent diversions has made the decision for early radical cystectomy more palatable to both the patient and physician.