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Multidisciplinary Approach to Bladder Cancer Treatment and Care

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 2027

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital & Danish Research Center for Cancer Surgery (ACROBATIC), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Interests: clinical health promotion and prehabilitation/ERAS pathways for patients with urological cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
1. WHO-CC/Clinical Health Promotion Centre, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Nordre Fasanvej 57-59, Vej 8, Indgang 19, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
2. Department of Surgery and Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital—Herlev and Gentofte, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 1, DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark
3. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
Interests: clinical health promotion and prehabilitation/ERAS pathways for patients with bladder cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bladder cancer remains a challenge in surgery and oncology, demanding not only precise diagnosis and effective treatment but also a holistic approach that prioritizes the patient’s overall well-being. In recent years, clinical practice has evolved dramatically, driven by advances in different aspects of medical and surgical treatment and care. Yet, the most meaningful progress emerges when these perspectives are integrated through a multidisciplinary strategy that brings together urologists, medical oncologists, specialist nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in this collaborative framework, providing treatment, essential patient education, perioperative support, symptom management, and guidance throughout survivorship. By addressing the physical, psychological, and social needs of patients, nursing expertise ensures that complex treatment plans remain patient-centered and accessible.

This Special Issue of Cancers, entitled “Multidisciplinary Approach to Bladder Cancer Treatment and Care”, aims to highlight how combined expertise across all disciplines transforms research into clinical impact to improve the outcomes and quality of life of patients with bladder cancer.

Dr. Bente Thoft Jensen
Dr. Susanne Vahr Lauridsen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
  • muscle-invasive bladder cancer
  • health-related quality of life
  • nutrition
  • prehabilitation
  • sexual health
  • nursing leadership
  • implementation
  • new technologies

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1362 KB  
Article
Study of Bladder Cancer Detection in Standard White Light Versus AI-Supported Endoscopy-02 (RAISE-02)—A Randomized Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial
by Peter Blak Hjort, Katharina Skovhus, Jørgen Bjerggaard Jensen and Andreas Ernst
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111739 - 26 May 2026
Viewed by 142
Abstract
Background: White light cystoscopy (WLC) is the gold standard for bladder cancer (BC) detection and surveillance, but has limited sensitivity, particularly for small and flat lesions. We evaluated the diagnostic performance and safety of a real-time artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted support tool (CystoAID©) for [...] Read more.
Background: White light cystoscopy (WLC) is the gold standard for bladder cancer (BC) detection and surveillance, but has limited sensitivity, particularly for small and flat lesions. We evaluated the diagnostic performance and safety of a real-time artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted support tool (CystoAID©) for bladder cancer detection. Methods: This single-center, randomized, controlled non-inferiority trial included 64 patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor or laser fulguration for suspected primary or recurrent BC. Patients were randomized 1:1 to WLC alone or WLC followed by AI-assisted cystoscopy. The primary outcome was per-lesion sensitivity of CystoAID vs. WLC within the intervention group. The reference standard was histopathology or clinical evaluation. The predefined non-inferiority margin was −5%. Secondary outcomes included sensitivity for lesions ≤ 5 mm, false positives, procedural duration, and safety (30-day adverse events). Results: A total of 142 lesions were identified (84 intervention, 58 control). Sensitivity was 96.2% (95% CI 87.0–99.5) for CystoAID and 88.7% (95% CI 77.0–95.7) for WLC (difference 7.5%; 95% CI −2.7 to 17.8), demonstrating non-inferiority. In a sub-analysis for lesions ≤ 5 mm (n = 25), sensitivity was 100% (95% CI 86.3–100) vs. 80% (95% CI 59.3–93.2). AI assistance added a median of 2.1 min without further affecting workflow. Adverse event rates were low and similar between groups. Conclusions: CystoAID demonstrated non-inferior sensitivity to WLC and could be safely integrated into the routine clinical workflow. Larger studies with improved representation of flat lesions are warranted, as well as to assess whether CystoAID can achieve superior sensitivity compared with standard WLC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multidisciplinary Approach to Bladder Cancer Treatment and Care)
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15 pages, 278 KB  
Article
Development and Evaluation of the Personal Patient Profile–Bladder Cancer (P3-BC): A Web-Based Decision Support System for Patients Considering Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion
by Nihal E. Mohamed, Donna L. Berry, Justin McReynolds, Talia Korn, Holden Kata, Emma Benn, Danielle Scharp, John Sfakianos, Reza Mehrazin, Peter Wiklund and William B. Lober
Cancers 2026, 18(10), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18101501 - 7 May 2026
Viewed by 434
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is the standard treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which represents a complex, preference-sensitive decision about the diversion options. To facilitate patient-clinician shared decision-making, we developed and evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the Personal Patient [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is the standard treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which represents a complex, preference-sensitive decision about the diversion options. To facilitate patient-clinician shared decision-making, we developed and evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the Personal Patient Profile–Bladder Cancer (P3-BC), a web-based decision support system for patients considering urinary diversion options. Materials and Methods: We employed an iterative development approach following an established framework, including qualitative assessments of radical cystectomy patients’ (n = 30) needs to inform content development, followed by usability testing with 10 key stakeholders. We then conducted a feasibility study with patients newly diagnosed with bladder cancer undergoing cystectomy. Feasibility was assessed through P3-BC completion rates among patients randomized to the intervention and study retention rates. Acceptability was measured using a program-based 12-item questionnaire integrating the six-item Acceptability E-Scale. Secondary outcomes included decisional conflict, shared decision-making, psychological distress, and decisional regret. Results: Of 114 eligible patients, 24 provided consent (21% consent rate), and 15 were randomized to receive the P3-BC intervention (n = 10) or usual care (n = 5). Retention was 93% at 1 month and 73% at 3 months. Among intervention participants, P3-BC achieved high feasibility (100% accessed the program) and acceptability, with 86% reporting overall satisfaction and 86% reporting ease of use. No statistically significant between-group differences were observed in secondary outcomes. Although the study was not powered to examine group differences, numerical trends suggest improvements in decisional conflict and symptom burden over time, particularly in the intervention group. Conclusions: P3-BC demonstrated feasibility and acceptability as a web-based decision support intervention for patients with bladder cancer considering cystectomy and urinary diversion. Primary barriers to enrollment included treatment burden, limited diagnosis-treatment time, and technology concerns. Findings support progression to an adequately powered randomized controlled trial to evaluate clinical effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multidisciplinary Approach to Bladder Cancer Treatment and Care)
13 pages, 683 KB  
Article
High Oncological Efficacy of BCG Maintenance Therapy for Primary High-Grade T1 Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder
by Takahide Noro, Naoto Kamiya, Naoki Ishitsuka, Rino Ikeda, Yuta Suzuki, Syota Iijima, Yuka Sugizaki, Takatoshi Somoto, Ryo Oka, Takanobu Utsumi, Takumi Endo, Nobuyuki Hiruta and Hiroyoshi Suzuki
Cancers 2026, 18(3), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030532 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 969
Abstract
Background: In high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), adjuvant therapies, such as intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) instillation, are widely employed; however, BCG treatment poses challenges due to potential adverse effects and ongoing supply limitations. This study aimed to evaluate treatment patterns, therapeutic efficacy, [...] Read more.
Background: In high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), adjuvant therapies, such as intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) instillation, are widely employed; however, BCG treatment poses challenges due to potential adverse effects and ongoing supply limitations. This study aimed to evaluate treatment patterns, therapeutic efficacy, incidence of adverse events, and clinical predictors of recurrence and progression in patients with high-grade pT1 urothelial carcinoma (HG-T1 UC) of the bladder. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 204 patients diagnosed with HG-pT1 UC who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) at Toho University Sakura Medical Center between 2010 and 2021. Clinical data encompassing treatment modalities (BCG or intravesical chemotherapy), complications, and oncological outcomes were collected. Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS), Progression-Free Survival, and Cancer-Specific Survival were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier analyses and multivariate regression models. Results: Maintenance BCG therapy was significantly associated with prolonged RFS compared to other treatments, including among ‘very high-risk’ patients. However, 52.4% of patients receiving BCG maintenance experienced adverse events, with dose reductions required in 59% of cases. Notably, recurrence rates did not significantly differ based on dose reduction or the total number of BCG instillations. Tumor multiplicity emerged as an independent risk factor for recurrence. Conclusions: Although maintenance BCG therapy remains essential for managing HG-T1 UC, especially in high-risk patients, treatment should be individualized due to concerns about tolerability and availability. The study results support the importance of personalized strategies based on risk stratification as outlined in clinical guidelines for preventing recurrence in NMIBC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multidisciplinary Approach to Bladder Cancer Treatment and Care)
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