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BLADDER CANCER

Is delay to radical cystectomy following BCG failure oncologically safe?

Radical cystectomy is advocated for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who develop disease recurrence following BCG therapy. A retrospective series suggests that a delay in radical cystectomy attributable to failure of salvage bladder-preserving therapies in this patient cohort is safe. However, a closer analysis of the study reveals inherent case selection that might limit such conclusions.

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Correspondence to John D. Kelly.

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W.S.T. and J.D.K. are consultants for Combat Medical. J.D.K. is chief investigator for HYMN and HIVEC-II, which are trials using hyperthermia delivery systems to treat bladder cancer.

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Tan, W.S., Kelly, J.D. Is delay to radical cystectomy following BCG failure oncologically safe?. Nat Rev Urol 18, 323–324 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41585-021-00457-1

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