Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men in the United States (U.S.). The American Cancer Society estimates that 80,470 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2019 and that 17,670 people will die of the disease. Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare urologic malignancy, accounting for only 5% to 10% of all UCs; however, it shows an aggressive nature with high recurrence and progression rates. UC remains a common malignancy with few treatment advances in the last 20 years despite its high prevalence.
Nevertheless, there are many updates and ongoing trials on UC. In 2016–2017, five immune checkpoint inhibitors marked a new paradigm in the treatment of UC for patients with advanced or metastatic disease or who are unable to tolerate platinum-based chemotherapy. The successful use of immunotherapy in metastatic bladder cancer has led to an interest in using checkpoint immunotherapy in BCG-unresponsive patients as well as muscle-invasive bladder cancer as a peri-operative treatment. Moreover, ongoing research on robot-assisted radical cystectomy with urinary diversion and molecular subtype profiling of UC are actively progressing to get obvious evidence of the better outcome.
This article collection aims to report on, but is not limited to, the latest results of current and emerging diagnostic and therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of UC as well as basic science. Original Research and Review articles focused on the above-mentioned areas of UC (any subtype) are sincerely welcome.
Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men in the United States (U.S.). The American Cancer Society estimates that 80,470 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2019 and that 17,670 people will die of the disease. Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare urologic malignancy, accounting for only 5% to 10% of all UCs; however, it shows an aggressive nature with high recurrence and progression rates. UC remains a common malignancy with few treatment advances in the last 20 years despite its high prevalence.
Nevertheless, there are many updates and ongoing trials on UC. In 2016–2017, five immune checkpoint inhibitors marked a new paradigm in the treatment of UC for patients with advanced or metastatic disease or who are unable to tolerate platinum-based chemotherapy. The successful use of immunotherapy in metastatic bladder cancer has led to an interest in using checkpoint immunotherapy in BCG-unresponsive patients as well as muscle-invasive bladder cancer as a peri-operative treatment. Moreover, ongoing research on robot-assisted radical cystectomy with urinary diversion and molecular subtype profiling of UC are actively progressing to get obvious evidence of the better outcome.
This article collection aims to report on, but is not limited to, the latest results of current and emerging diagnostic and therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of UC as well as basic science. Original Research and Review articles focused on the above-mentioned areas of UC (any subtype) are sincerely welcome.