Editorial Comment

Abstract

The relationship between preoperative nutritional deficiency and poor surgical and survival outcomes in cancer patients has been well described. 1 Gupta D. Lis C.G. Pretreatment serum albumin as a predictor of cancer survival: a systematic review of the epidemiological literature. Nutr J. 2010; 9: 69 Crossref PubMed Scopus (760) Google Scholar In this interesting study, the authors performed a retrospective single-institution cohort analysis of 187 patients undergoing radical cystectomy to assess the relationship between patient nutritional status (with nutritionally deficiency defined as a serum albumin level <3.5 g/dL), survival outcomes, and postoperative complications. The nutritionally deficient patients in their cohort had increased complication rates (87% vs 65%; P = .01) and decreased 3-year overall survival (41% vs 56%; P = .01 by log-rank test) after cystectomy. After adjusting for age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, pathologic stage, nodal status, and receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, nutritionally deficient patients were more likely to die (hazard ratio, 1.76; P = .04) than patients with “normal” nutritional status (albumin >3.5 g/dL). Using Preoperative Albumin Levels As a Surrogate Marker for Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy for Bladder CancerUrologyVol. 81Issue 3PreviewTo evaluate preoperative albumin levels as a marker for comparing survival outcomes after cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer. Full-Text PDF