Urothelial cancer: population-based analysis of the problem in Ukraine
Authors: Pikul M.V. , Stakhovsky E.O. , Voylenko O.A. , Stakhovsky O.E. , Vitruk Yu.V. , Kononenko O.A. , Semko S.L. , Hrechko B.O. , Koshel D.O. , Karkych O.O. 
Published: August 2021

The aim of this work was to conduct a population analysis on the basis of the National Cancer Registry with the primary goal: to determine the effectiveness of urothelial cancer treatment in Ukraine; and the secondary goal: to identify the main trends and approaches to therapy with an assessment of their impact on overall survival. Materials and methods. The design of the study was retrospective observational. The analysis was conducted based on the data of the National Cancer Registry from 2008 to 2020. A total of 12,698 patients with urothelial tumors of the upper urinary tract and bladder who underwent surgical treatment were analyzed. Statistical sampling was performed based on the creation of the most homogeneous groups of patients with bladder cancer (BC) and the upper urinary tract carcinoma (UUTc) who had the required number of notified parameters for further analysis. The primary objectives of the analysis were to determine: the average age of primary detection of the studied nosologies, level of detection depending on gender, frequency of diagnosis verification before surgery, extent of surgery, frequency of postoperative complications based on data on 30-day rehospitalization, the level of deviation of the principles for prophylactic medical patients’ examination from generally accepted recommendations. The secondary objective was to assess the cumulative survival of patients with urothelial tumors depending on the localization of the primary tumor and the type of surgery (organ-sparing or radical). Results. Organ-sparing treatment was more typical for BC, while radical treatment was performed in 15 % of patients with carcinomas. Organ-sparing treatment was more typical for UUTc (40%). It should be noted that in this nosology it is acceptable for invasive forms of urothelial cancer. The level of 30-day hospitalization was low in both pathologies, with a slightly greater advantage of UUTc. The level of complications is grade III according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, averaging 0.2 % for the entire pool of patients. For BC, the overall survival rates by stages were: I — 73%, II — 49 %, III — 18 % and IV — 11 % (chi-square=1,807.207; p= 0.000001). For UUTc, the levels of 5-year overall survival correspond to the literature data, but there is a significant negative tendency to decrease the latter after a 10-year period for all stages (chi-square = 146.298; p = 0.000003). In Ukraine, organ-sparing treatment for UUTc was not inferior to radical nephroureterectomy in the context of 5-year survival (51.3 vs. 51%; log-rank test). The obtained data testify in favor of the 15% advantage of the total survival of patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at the premises of the National Cancer Institute (high volume center), compared to other regions of Ukraine. Levels of 5- and 10-year survival in both nosologies were characterized by a statistically non-significant advantage of UUTc over BC of 7 %. Conclusions. Superficial and locally advanced tumors are the most complex ones in the treatment of urothelial cancer of the bladder and upper urinary tract in Ukraine. Superficial tumors require the most radical surgeries and subsequent effective local treatment. Locally advanced tumors require a comprehensive approach to treatment, adequate systemic therapy influences the final indicators of overall survival. In cases of surgical resectability and preservation of renal function, UUTc requires organ-sparing treatment; this approach aims to increase creatinine clearance in patients before systemic chemotherapy and to reduce the likelihood of progression of comorbidities and associated mortality.