Gender differences in stage distribution of bladder cancer

Objectives. To compare stage distribution between men and women with bladde r cancer at first presentation. Methods. The population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry was used to inves tigate stage differences of newly diagnosed bladder cancer, including upper urinary tract tumors in female and male patients. Results. The stage distribution at first presentation for both bladder canc er and upper urinary tract tumors was slightly worse in female patients wit h transitional cell carcinoma than in male patients. The stage differences were more clear in non-transitional cell carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma , adenocarcinoma, and sarcoma) of the bladder, with female patients present ing with higher stages. Because of the large numbers, these gender differen ces in stage distribution were statistically significant in both TCC (P<0.0 001) and non-TCC (P<0.0001). Conclusions. Treating physicians should be aware that female patients ape m ore frequently diagnosed with higher stages at the first presentation for b ladder cancer and upper urinary tract tumors. (C) 2000, Elsevier Science In c.