De-Intensification Strategies in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Outcomes and Cost Impact of In-Office Bladder Fulguration

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is characterized by high recurrence rates, requiring frequent diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. This study evaluates the feasibility, safety, oncological outcomes, and economic impact of implementing an in-office laser bladder tumor fulguration protocol. <b>Methods:</b> A descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted between 2020 and 2025 on 65 patients with recurrent NMIBC. Procedures were performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia using a flexible cystoscope and a Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser. The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival. Secondary endpoints included complication rates (Clavien-Dindo) and a cost-analysis comparison with conventional transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT). <b>Results:</b> The mean age was 69.4 years, with 89.2% of patients classified as ASA ≥ 2. After a median follow-up of 20.3 months, the recurrence rate was 33.8%, with 0% progression. Most procedures (95.4%) had no complications; only 4.6% presented Clavien-Dindo grade 1 events. Adjuvant mitomycin C was administered in 93.8% of cases. The cost analysis demonstrated substantial economic advantages, with costs reduced by 89.7% versus the 24 h admission model and 82.1% versus the day-surgery model according to regional health-system tariffs. <b>Conclusions:</b> In-office laser fulguration is a safe, effective, and economically sustainable alternative to traditional TURBT for selected low-risk recurrences. It optimizes hospital resources, minimizes anesthetic risk in comorbid patients, and maintains favorable oncological control.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-03-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051939
Primary Topic
Bladder and Urothelial Cancer Treatments
Type
article
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article

De-Intensification Strategies in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Outcomes and Cost Impact of In-Office Bladder Fulguration

Miguel Ángel Arrabal Polo, María Teresa Melgarejo Segura, M. J. Sánchez García, Miguel Herraez Marcos et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Bladder and Urothelial Cancer Treatments
article

De-Intensification Strategies in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Outcomes and Cost Impact of In-Office Bladder Fulguration

Miguel Ángel Arrabal Polo, María Teresa Melgarejo Segura, M. J. Sánchez García, Miguel Herraez Marcos, Alberto Zambudio Munuera, Patricia Rodriguez Parras
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is characterized by high recurrence rates, requiring frequent diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. This study evaluates the feasibility, safety, oncological outcomes, and economic impact of implementing an in-office laser bladder tumor fulguration protocol. <b>Methods:</b> A descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted between 2020 and 2025 on 65 patients with recurrent NMIBC. Procedures were performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia using a flexible cystoscope and a Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser. The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival. Secondary endpoints included complication rates (Clavien-Dindo) and a cost-analysis comparison with conventional transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT). <b>Results:</b> The mean age was 69.4 years, with 89.2% of patients classified as ASA ≥ 2. After a median follow-up of 20.3 months, the recurrence rate was 33.8%, with 0% progression. Most procedures (95.4%) had no complications; only 4.6% presented Clavien-Dindo grade 1 events. Adjuvant mitomycin C was administered in 93.8% of cases. The cost analysis demonstrated substantial economic advantages, with costs reduced by 89.7% versus the 24 h admission model and 82.1% versus the day-surgery model according to regional health-system tariffs. <b>Conclusions:</b> In-office laser fulguration is a safe, effective, and economically sustainable alternative to traditional TURBT for selected low-risk recurrences. It optimizes hospital resources, minimizes anesthetic risk in comorbid patients, and maintains favorable oncological control.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(5)
Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ES)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 33%
Bladder and Urothelial Cancer Treatments
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