Research Article

Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience

Volume: 16 Number: 3 September 30, 2025
TR EN

Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate survival outcomes and potential prognostic indicators in a real-world cohort of elderly patients diagnosed with early-stage muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who underwent trimodal therapy (TMT). Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 23 patients with a mean age of 70 years diagnosed with stage T2N0–T2N1 MIBC and treated with TMT, which comprised maximal transurethral resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the impact of clinical and laboratory variables on survival was assessed through multivariable Cox regression analysis. Inflammatory biomarkers such as the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were also evaluated for their prognostic significance. Results: The median OS was 22 months (95% CI: 12.5–31.5), and the median PFS was 19 months (95% CI: 14.5–47.4). Patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy had significantly improved OS (HR: 0.041; p = 0.015). Higher platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and advanced nodal stage (N stage) were negatively associated with OS. Although no factor was significantly associated with PFS, a trend toward decreased survival was observed with increasing T stage. Radiotherapy dose did not have a significant impact on survival outcomes. Conclusion: This study highlights the efficacy and tolerability of TMT in elderly, comorbid patients with early-stage MIBC who are candidates for bladder preservation. Platinum-based regimens appear to confer a survival advantage, while PLR and nodal stage may serve as practical prognostic markers. Given the acceptable survival outcomes and favorable toxicity profile, TMT should be considered a promising bladder-sparing option for appropriately selected elderly patients.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences, Gülhane Faculty of Medicine (Approval No: 2025/192, dated April 8, 2025).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Oncology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

July 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 13, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 3

APA
Aslan, V., Atacan, H., Ucgul, A. N., Keskin, G. S., Dede, İ., Bayram, D., Aykan, M. B., Ertürk, İ., & Karadurmuş, N. (2025). Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, 16(3), 465-472. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1738115
AMA
1.Aslan V, Atacan H, Ucgul AN, et al. Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience. TJCL. 2025;16(3):465-472. doi:10.18663/tjcl.1738115
Chicago
Aslan, Volkan, Hüseyin Atacan, Aybala Nur Ucgul, et al. 2025. “Bladder-Sparing Trimodal Therapy in Elderly Patients With Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Real-World Single-Center Experience”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16 (3): 465-72. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1738115.
EndNote
Aslan V, Atacan H, Ucgul AN, Keskin GS, Dede İ, Bayram D, Aykan MB, Ertürk İ, Karadurmuş N (September 1, 2025) Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16 3 465–472.
IEEE
[1]V. Aslan et al., “Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience”, TJCL, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 465–472, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.18663/tjcl.1738115.
ISNAD
Aslan, Volkan - Atacan, Hüseyin - Ucgul, Aybala Nur - Keskin, Gül Sema - Dede, İsa - Bayram, Doğan - Aykan, Musa Barış - Ertürk, İsmail - Karadurmuş, Nuri. “Bladder-Sparing Trimodal Therapy in Elderly Patients With Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Real-World Single-Center Experience”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory 16/3 (September 1, 2025): 465-472. https://doi.org/10.18663/tjcl.1738115.
JAMA
1.Aslan V, Atacan H, Ucgul AN, Keskin GS, Dede İ, Bayram D, Aykan MB, Ertürk İ, Karadurmuş N. Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience. TJCL. 2025;16:465–472.
MLA
Aslan, Volkan, et al. “Bladder-Sparing Trimodal Therapy in Elderly Patients With Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Real-World Single-Center Experience”. Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 465-72, doi:10.18663/tjcl.1738115.
Vancouver
1.Volkan Aslan, Hüseyin Atacan, Aybala Nur Ucgul, Gül Sema Keskin, İsa Dede, Doğan Bayram, Musa Barış Aykan, İsmail Ertürk, Nuri Karadurmuş. Bladder-sparing trimodal therapy in elderly patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a real-world single-center experience. TJCL. 2025 Sep. 1;16(3):465-72. doi:10.18663/tjcl.1738115

e-ISSN: 2149-8296

Publication Model: Continuous Publication

Peer Review Model: Double-Blind Peer Review

Publication Language: Turkish and English

Access Model: Open Access

DOI Prefix: (Crossref DOI numaranız)

Publisher: DNT Ortadoğu Publishing Inc.

Journal Abbreviation: Turk J Clin Lab

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