Long-term follow-up of intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer sub-classified by multi-coloured FISH.

AIM: To examine the long-term follow-up of patients with that previously underwent risk stratification based on multicolour FISH testing.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: On 81 patients with intermediate-risk urothelial carcinoma, a multicolour-FISH was performed. Patients were sub-divided into low- and high-risk groups based on chromosomal patterns. Univariate analysis, using Mantel-Cox log-rank test for disease-free, progression-free survival and overall survival, was employed to determine the prognostic significance of FISH analysis. Survival times were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method and multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS: The univariate Mantel-Cox log-rank test showed significant differences between the low-risk and the high-risk group for disease-free survival (p=0.005) and overall survival (p=0.038), but not for progression-free survival (p=0.129).

CONCLUSION: Our long-term follow-up data appear to be able to divide tumors into low and high risk groups for recurrence based on molecular/genetic changes observed with FISH.