A Study on Clinical Status of Urothelial Carcinoma in Bangladesh

Background: Urothelial carcinoma, a predominant malignancy of the bladder, represents a growing public health concern in Bangladesh due to environmental and lifestyle factors, including tobacco use and arsenic exposure. Limited healthcare infrastructure and delayed diagnosis exacerbate the burden, emphasizing the need for region-specific research. Objective: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and pathological characteristics of urothelial carcinoma in a Bangladeshi population. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College from January 2016 to December 2017. Fifty histologically confirmed bladder cancer cases were analyzed based on clinical and demographic profiles, tumor grading, and pathological extent. Data were collected systematically using a pre-designed pro forma, and histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. Results: The majority (58.0%) of patients were ≤60 years, with a mean age of 60.9 ± 13.1 years, and males constituted 80.0% of cases. Most patients (72.0%) had a history of smoking and betel nut chewing, with hematuria (100.0%) and anemia (100.0%) being the most common clinical features. Tumors were predominantly confined to PT1 (68.0%), with high-grade tumors showing a greater likelihood of PT2 extension (38.9%). Smoking and tumor grade were not statistically significantly associated (p = 0.517). Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of urothelial carcinoma in males, its association with modifiable risk factors, and the predominance of non-muscle-invasive tumors. These findings underscore the urgent need for public health interventions targeting risk factors, early detection, and accessible treatment options tailored to the Bangladeshi context.