Prognostic significance of vascular and perineural invasion in urothelial bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy

Purpose: Data on the prognostic significance of tumor invading lymphatic and blood vessels in bladder cancer are controversial, while little is known about perineural invasion in this tumor. We determined the prognostic value of these parameters in radical cystectomy specimens. Materials and Methods: Slides of 283 radical cystectomy specimens obtained from 1986 to 1997 were examined retrospectively with respect to tumor invasion in lymphatic and blood vessels, and perineural spaces. This review was performed while blinded to lymph node tumor involvement or the postoperative disease course. The Kaplan-Meier probability analysis of tumor-free survival and the log rank test were used to determine the prognostic effects of vascular and perineural invasion. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model was also performed. Results: Lymphatic, blood vessel and perineural tumor invasion were present in 54.1%, 13.1% and 47.7% of specimens, respectively. Tumor progressed in 46.3% of patients. On univariate analysis all 3 factors showed strong prognostic significance. However, on multivariate analysis only blood vessel invasion, invasion depth and regional lymph node status were independent prognostic factors (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Lymph node metastases, pT classification and blood vessel invasion are independent prognostic parameters of tumor-free survival that should be used to guide patient treatment after radical cystectomy. Invasion of the blood and lymphatic vessels should be commented on separately in the pathology report.