OBJECTIVETo compare the 2004 and 1973 WHO classifications for predicting tumor recurrence for organ-confined (T stage ≤ pT2b) invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder treated with radical cystectomy.

METHODSFrom February 2000 to August 2011, the 173 consecutive cases of organ-confined invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were treated with radical cystectomy. The data of clinical and follow-up information was collected. The Kaplan-Meier plots with Log-rank test were used to estimate recurrence-free survival (RFS). Univariate and multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard regression model were performed to evaluate the impact of any clinicopathological prognostic factors (tumor grade, tumor stage, lymph node status, lymphovascular invasion, preoperative hydronephrosis, and non-pure urothelial carcinoma) on RFS.

RESULTSThe 5-year RFS was 84.7% for the entire cohort. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that when using the 2004 WHO classification, lymph node status (RR = 4.573, 95% CI: 1.469-14.237), tumor grade (RR = 9.993, 95% CI: 1.325-75.390) and preoperative hydronephrosis (RR = 3.207, 95% CI: 1.209-8.508) presented independent predictors for RFS; while using the 1973 WHO system, lymph node status (RR = 9.484, 95% CI: 3.450-26.074) and lymphovascular invasion (RR = 3.009, 95% CI: 1.062-8.526) were independent predictors.

CONCLUSIONSThe 2004 WHO classification, as an independent factor, is superior to the 1973 classification for predicting RFS in patients with organ-confined invasive bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy. However, a further perspective study is needed to validate its role in prognosis.