[The value of taking surgical margin specimens during transurethral resection of bladder tumor in the diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the value of taking surgical margin specimens during transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT) in the diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Methods: The data of 356 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer from June 2009 to January 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. A standardized protocol were performed during TURBT in 176 patients(surgical margin group), by taking surgical margin specimens from tumor base and 'normal'-appearing margin sites. The other 180 cases merely received general TURBT (general group). To observe the positive rate of surgical margin specimens and whether the diagnosis and treatment plan changed in the surgical margin group. Using Chi-square test to compare the recurrence and progression rates between surgical margin and general groups. To compare their recurrence-free survival time by Mann-Whitney U test. Results Of these 176 surgical margin specimens, the positive rate was 19. 3% (34/176),which consists of tumor base 11. 9% (21/176) and tumor normal-appearing margin 7. 4% (13/176). Following with urothelial carcinoma Ta stage in 1. 7% (3/176), T1 stage in 5. 7% (10/176), T2 stage in 8. 0% (14/176), carcinoma in situ (Tis) in 4. 0% (7/176). Among these 176 patients final diagnosis were changed in 10. 8% (19/176) patients due to the specimens results, and 18. 2% (32/176) patients altered their treatment plans. All 356 patients with a mean follow-up of 36. 8 months (6 to 60 months). Two groups of patients(surgical margin group vs. general group) recurrence rates respectively were 22. 2% (39/176) vs. 35. 6% (64/180), recurrence-free survival time were 33. 0 months vs. 23. 5 months and progression rates were 5. 7% (10/176) vs. 10. 6% (19/180). Compared with general group, patients who were taken additional surgical margin specimens showed significantly lower recurrence rate (χ2 = 7. 677, P = 0. 007) and longer recurrence-free survival time (U = 12 605,P = 0. 001). While the progression rate showed no statistical difference between them (χ2 = 2. 825, P = 0. 121).

Conclusion: Taking additional surgical margin specimens during transurethral resection of bladder tumor is helpful for pathological diagnosis and the planning of further treatment.