The treatment and prognosis of bladder cancer are based on the depth of primary tumour invasion and the presence of metastases. A highly accurate preoperative tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) staging is critical to proper patient management and treatment. This study retrospectively investigated the value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed axial tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative N staging of bladder cancer. Material and methods. From June 2006 to January 2008, 48 consecutive patients diagnosed with bladder cancer were referred to preoperative staging including MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. Eighteen out of 48 patients underwent radical cystoprostatectomy including removal of lymph nodes for histology, and were included in the study. Values of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI for regional N staging were compared to histopathology findings, the gold standard. Results. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI were performed in 18 patients. The specificities for detection of lymph-node metastases for MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were 80% (n = 15) and 93.33% (n = 15), respectively. The negative predictive values were 80% (n = 15) and 87.5% (n = 16) for MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, respectively. The differences in specificity and negative predictive values were not statistically significant. Conclusions. No significant statistical difference between ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI for preoperative N staging of urothelial bladder cancer was found in the study. However, the trend of the data indicates an advantage of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT over MRI. Larger prospective studies are needed to elucidate the role of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in N staging of bladder cancer.

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We present a case of multiple well-differentiated papillary mesotheliomas (WDPM) in the peritoneum found incidentally in a 63-year-old man with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. When multiple tumors are seen, malignant mesothelioma should be excluded by histopathological examination as this may have a similar focal appearance to WDPM. True stromal invasion is by far the most reliable criterion of mesothelial malignancy. In doubtful cases, a conservative diagnostic approach has been recommended. Compared to malignant mesotheliomas, WDPMs are rare and have a relatively indolent clinical course with a good prognosis. Great care is needed when diagnosing mesothelial proliferations, given the crucial nature of a benign vs malignant diagnosis. No standardized treatment has yet been established.

More prospective data are needed, preferably as randomized clinical trials, for determining the influence of age on the decisions of the surgical approach as well as chemo/radiotherapy for the elderly patients with urothelial cancers compared to younger patients.

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