Abstract:

Background: Bladder cancer is a significant public health concern globally, with increasing incidence and mortality rates in recent decades. Understanding the survival rates and prognostic factors of bladder cancer patients is crucial for improving patient outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings like Tanzania. This study aimed to assess the five-year survival rate and prognostic factors among bladder cancer patients at Bugando Medical Center (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania from 2015 to 2019.

Method: In this retrospective study, data were collected from 143 participants from BMC cancer registry. Then, collected data demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics were processed, analyzed with SPSS, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to assess survival rates and identify prognostic factors.

Results: The study population was predominantly male (58.7%), with a mean age of 57.33 years. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common histological variant (64.3%), followed by transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) (19.6%). Tumor staging was poorly documented, with 83.2% of cases lacking stage information. Surgery was performed in 20.3% of patients and was associated with a higher mean survival time (8months) compared to non-surgical patients (5months). Radiotherapy and chemotherapy did not show significant survival benefits. Cox regression analysis identified stage III bladder cancer as significant negative prognostic factor (p=0.035).

Conclusion: This study gives valuable insights into the bladder cancer field in Mwanza, Tanzania. The high prevalence of SCC and advanced stage at presentation highlight the need for improved early detection and prevention strategies. Surgical intervention appears to be a favorable prognostic factor. Strengthening data collection and reporting practices is crucial for better understanding and managing bladder cancer in resource-limited settings.