TY - JOUR
T1 - International Opinions on Grading of Urothelial Carcinoma
T2 - A Survey Among European Association of Urology and International Society of Urological Pathology Members
AU - Beijert, Irene J.
AU - Cheng, Liang
AU - Liedberg, Fredrik
AU - Plass, Karin
AU - Williamson, Sean R.
AU - Gontero, Paolo
AU - Ribal, Maria J.
AU - Babjuk, Marko
AU - Black, Peter C.
AU - Kamat, Ashish M.
AU - Algaba, Ferran
AU - Berman, David M.
AU - Hartmann, Arndt
AU - Masson-Lecomte, Alexandra
AU - Rouprêt, Morgan
AU - Lopez-Beltran, Antonio
AU - Samaratunga, Hemamali
AU - Shariat, Shahrokh F.
AU - Mostafid, A. Hugh
AU - Varma, Murali
AU - Shen, Steven
AU - Burger, Maximilian
AU - Tsuzuki, Toyonori
AU - Palou, Joan
AU - Compérat, Eva M.
AU - Sylvester, Richard J.
AU - van der Kwast, Theo H.
AU - van Rhijn, Bas W.G.
AU - Downes, Michelle R.
N1 - © 2023 The Author(s).
PY - 2023/6
Y1 - 2023/6
N2 - Background: Grade of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is an important prognostic factor for progression. Currently, two World Health Organization (WHO) classification systems (WHO1973, categories: grade 1–3, and WHO2004 categories: papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential [PUNLMP], low-grade [LG], high-grade [HG] carcinoma) are used. Objective: To ask the European Association of Urology (EAU) and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) members regarding their current practice and preferences of grading systems. Design, setting, and participants: A web-based, anonymous questionnaire with ten questions on grading of NMIBC was created. The members of EAU and ISUP were invited to complete an online survey by the end of 2021. Thirteen experts had previously answered the same questions. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The submitted answers from 214 ISUP members, 191 EAU members, and 13 experts were analyzed. Results and limitations: Currently, 53% use only the WHO2004 system and 40% use both systems. According to most respondents, PUNLMP is a rare diagnosis with management similar to Ta-LG carcinoma. The majority (72%) would consider reverting back to WHO1973 if grading criteria were more detailed. Separate reporting of WHO1973-G3 within WHO2004-HG would influence clinical decisions for Ta and/or T1 tumors according the majority (55%). Most respondents preferred a two-tier (41%) or a three-tier (41%) grading system. The current WHO2004 grading system is supported by a minority (20%), whereas nearly half (48%) supported a hybrid three- or four-tier grading system composed of both WHO1973 and WHO2004. The survey results of the experts were comparable with ISUP and EAU respondents. Conclusions: Both the WHO1973 and the WHO2004 grading system are still widely used. Even though opinions on the future of bladder cancer grading were strongly divided, there was limited support for WHO1973 and WHO2004 in their current formats, while the hybrid (three-tier) grading system with LG, HG-G2, and HG-G3 as categories could be considered the most promising alternative. Patient summary: Grading of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a matter of ongoing debate and lacks international consensus. We surveyed urologists and pathologists of European Association of Urology and International Society of Urological Pathology on their preferences regarding NMIBC grading to generate a multidisciplinary dialogue. Both the “old” World Health Organization (WHO) 1973 and the “new” WHO2004 grading schemes are still used widely. However, continuation of both the WHO1973 and the WHO2004 system showed limited support, while a hybrid grading system composed of both the WHO1973 and the WHO2004 classification system may be considered a promising alternative.
AB - Background: Grade of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is an important prognostic factor for progression. Currently, two World Health Organization (WHO) classification systems (WHO1973, categories: grade 1–3, and WHO2004 categories: papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential [PUNLMP], low-grade [LG], high-grade [HG] carcinoma) are used. Objective: To ask the European Association of Urology (EAU) and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) members regarding their current practice and preferences of grading systems. Design, setting, and participants: A web-based, anonymous questionnaire with ten questions on grading of NMIBC was created. The members of EAU and ISUP were invited to complete an online survey by the end of 2021. Thirteen experts had previously answered the same questions. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The submitted answers from 214 ISUP members, 191 EAU members, and 13 experts were analyzed. Results and limitations: Currently, 53% use only the WHO2004 system and 40% use both systems. According to most respondents, PUNLMP is a rare diagnosis with management similar to Ta-LG carcinoma. The majority (72%) would consider reverting back to WHO1973 if grading criteria were more detailed. Separate reporting of WHO1973-G3 within WHO2004-HG would influence clinical decisions for Ta and/or T1 tumors according the majority (55%). Most respondents preferred a two-tier (41%) or a three-tier (41%) grading system. The current WHO2004 grading system is supported by a minority (20%), whereas nearly half (48%) supported a hybrid three- or four-tier grading system composed of both WHO1973 and WHO2004. The survey results of the experts were comparable with ISUP and EAU respondents. Conclusions: Both the WHO1973 and the WHO2004 grading system are still widely used. Even though opinions on the future of bladder cancer grading were strongly divided, there was limited support for WHO1973 and WHO2004 in their current formats, while the hybrid (three-tier) grading system with LG, HG-G2, and HG-G3 as categories could be considered the most promising alternative. Patient summary: Grading of non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a matter of ongoing debate and lacks international consensus. We surveyed urologists and pathologists of European Association of Urology and International Society of Urological Pathology on their preferences regarding NMIBC grading to generate a multidisciplinary dialogue. Both the “old” World Health Organization (WHO) 1973 and the “new” WHO2004 grading schemes are still used widely. However, continuation of both the WHO1973 and the WHO2004 system showed limited support, while a hybrid grading system composed of both the WHO1973 and the WHO2004 classification system may be considered a promising alternative.
KW - Bladder
KW - Cancer
KW - European Association of Urology
KW - Grading
KW - International Society of Urological Pathology
KW - Survey
KW - WHO1973
KW - WHO2004
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85158029919&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85158029919&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.euros.2023.03.019
DO - 10.1016/j.euros.2023.03.019
M3 - Article
C2 - 37284047
AN - SCOPUS:85158029919
SN - 2666-1691
VL - 52
SP - 154
EP - 165
JO - European Urology Open Science
JF - European Urology Open Science
ER -