Purpose: We evaluated the impact of seminal vesicle invasion by transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in a large cystectomy series.
Materials and methods: Between January 1985 and February 2002, 1,125 cystectomies were performed at our 2 institutions. In 68 male patients there was pathologically proved tumor extension to the perivesical fat, prostatic stroma and/or seminal vesicles, including group 1: 38 to the prostatic stroma alone, group 2-12 to the seminal vesicles alone, and group 3-18 to the seminal vesicles and prostatic stroma. Complete followup was available for all patients. Overall disease specific and progression-free survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Maier-Method. Survival rates were compared using the log rank test.
Results: The overall 5-year survival rate for all 68 patients was 23.1%. The 5-year disease specific survival rates were 41.1%, 0% and 0%, and the 5-year progression-free survival rates were 32.1%, 0% and 0% for groups 1 to 3, respectively. Survival was significantly decreased in patients with seminal vesicle infiltration with or without prostatic stromal infiltration compared with prostatic involvement alone. This difference was independent of lymph node status in groups 1 versus 2 and 3.
Conclusions: Seminal vesicle invasion by bladder carcinoma has a significant impact on disease specific and progression-free survival compared with prostatic stromal involvement alone.