From the Research
Characteristics of Bladder Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)
- Bladder NETs are relatively rare, accounting for less than 1% of all bladder carcinomas 1, 2, 3, 4
- These tumors can be divided into more indolent typical or atypical carcinoid tumors and aggressive small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas 1
- Bladder NETs are associated with a poor prognosis due to their high metastatic potency even after radical treatments associated with other neo- or adjuvant therapies 4
- The most common presenting symptom is hematuria 1
Epidemiology
- The median age of patients with bladder NETs is around 58-71 years 2, 4
- Bladder NETs are more common in men, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 11:2 2, 4
- The majority of patients present with advanced disease, including metastasis 1, 2, 4
Treatment and Prognosis
- There is no standard approach to the treatment of bladder NETs, and management requires a multidisciplinary consultation 2
- Treatment options include surgery (transurethral resection, partial cystectomy, radical cystectomy), chemotherapy, and radiotherapy 1, 2, 3, 4
- The prognosis for bladder NETs is generally poor, with a median survival of 15 months (5-30 months) 2
- Radical cystectomy plus chemotherapy and chemoradiation therapy may be associated with better survival compared to monotherapy 3