Bladder Cancer in Young Patients: Management and Outcomes

Abstract

Background and Objective: Bladder cancer frequently occurs between the ages of 50 years and 70 years and rarely occurs before the age of 40 years. It accounts for 1% - 4% of all cases of cancer. This study focuses on the clinical, etiological, histological, therapeutic, and evolutive profiles of patients with bladder cancer aged less than 45 years. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out over seven years (from January 2014 to December 2020) on 15 patients below 45 years of age who were being treated for bladder cancer. The diagnosis was made in all patients via cystoscopy and abdominal computerized tomography, while the nature, grade, and degree of infiltration were determined via endoscopic resection and pathology. Results: The mean age of the 15 patients in this study was 34.4 ± 5.19 years. In 86.6% of cases, the patients had macroscopic hematuria as the main presenting complaint. Twelve patients (80%) had bladder tumors that did not infiltrate the muscle. These patients were followed up clinically. In 86.6% of cases, there was a single tumor with a mean diameter of 2.53 cm. In four patients (26.6%), mitomycin was started early. The overall rates of tumor recurrence and progression were 26.6% and 20%, respectively. Conclusion: Bladder cancer also occurs in young people, with similar clinical and epidemiological profiles as exists in elderly patients. The prognosis of bladder cancer in young people depends on the treatment method chosen by the physician.