Effects of Surgery on Bladder Cancer Cell Spread
Author Information
Author(s): Desgrandchamps F, Teren M, Cortivo L, Marolleau J-P, Bertheau P, Villette J-M, Cortesse A, Teillac P, Duc A Le, Hamdy F C
Primary Institution: Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
Hypothesis
Does endoscopic resection and cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer increase the risk of spreading epithelial cells into the bloodstream?
Conclusion
Surgery for bladder cancer does not lead to detectable spreading of cancer cells into the bloodstream.
Supporting Evidence
- Thirty-three patients were studied, with most having different stages of bladder cancer.
- Circulating epithelial cells were only found in the patient with metastatic disease.
- No other patients showed evidence of circulating cells before or after surgery.
Takeaway
Doctors wanted to see if surgery for bladder cancer spreads cancer cells in the blood, but they found it doesn't.
Methodology
Blood samples were taken from patients before and after surgery to check for circulating epithelial cells using immunocytochemical techniques.
Participant Demographics
Thirty-one patients had bladder cancer of various stages and grades, and two had benign conditions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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