
News|Videos|September 21, 2023
Challenges in Treating Metastatic Urothelial Cancer: A Geriatric Perspective
Author(s)Arlene O. Siefker-Radtke, MD
Expert insight into the complexities of managing metastatic urothelial cancer in geriatric patients with comorbidities, highlighting the importance of aggressive therapy in improving survival outcomes.
Advertisement
Episodes in this series

Case: A 73-Year-Old Man with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Initial Clinical Presentation:
- A 73-year-old man presented to you from their local urologist with dizziness and hematuria
- PMH: hypertension and diabetes (uncontrolled)
- SH: former smoker; consumes alcohol 2-3 times per week
- Chest x-ray and CT revealed a 3.7-cm mass on the right lateral wall of the bladder and liver metastases
- Cystoscopic biopsy/pathology confirmed stage IV urothelial carcinoma
- ECOG PS 1
- CrCl 65 mL/min
- The patient received gemcitabine + cisplatin (6 cycles)
- Partial response at completion of chemotherapy
- No maintenance therapy given, although discussed with patient
Current Clinical Presentation:
- 7 months later, disease progression was discovered on routine follow up imaging
Treatment:
- The patient received pembrolizumab and a partial response was achieved at 6 cycles
- Molecular testing showed no FGFR2 mutation or fusion
Advertisement
Related to this article

Five-year OLYMPUS data show Jelmyto (UGN-101) sustains kidney-sparing control in low-grade UTUC, with most responders remaining event-free.

LITESPARK-012 data at ESMO 2026 show that adding belzutifan or quavonlimab to pembrolizumab/lenvatinib did not improve survival for advanced kidney cancer.

Updated survival findings, perioperative treatment strategies, and circulating tumor DNA analyses highlight evolving approaches to genitourinary cancers.

The approval expands the combination’s use to patients with androgen pathway modulation–naive or –sensitive disease based on phase 3 TALAPRO-3 findings.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Trending on Targeted Onc
1
ESMO 2026: ADCs and New Combinations Advance Lung Cancer Care
2
Novel ADCs Show Responses in Ovarian and Cervical Cancer at ESMO 2026
3
ESMO 2026: New Data Advance Prostate, Kidney, and Bladder Cancer Care
4
340B Contract Pharmacy Case Rekindles Scrutiny Over Program Intent
5

