Molecular genetic subtypes of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: their impact on disease prognosis

Introduction . Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies, characterized by high rates of recurrence and progression—even in its superficial forms, such as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Recent research has increasingly focused on the molecular and genetic profiles of these tumors, as these factors, together with tumor grade and stage, play a crucial role in determining disease prognosis. Objective . To investigate the impact of molecular genetic subtypes in NMIBC on disease prognosis and assess the feasibility of their evaluation in routine clinical practice. Materials 59.3%), luminal-like (51; 31.5%), intermediate (5; 3.1%), and basal-squamous-like (10; 6.2%). During follow-up, recurrence and progression rates differed significantly between groups. Luminal tumors exhibited low recurrence (33.3%) and progression rates (2.1%), while luminal-like tumors showed higher recurrence (54.9%) but maintained low progression risk (5.9%). In contrast, intermediate and basal-squamous-like subtypes were associated with aggressive behavior: both demonstrated high recurrence rates (100% and 90.0%, respectively) and elevated progression risk (25.0% and 50.0%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Conclusion . Basal-squamous-like tumors demonstrate the worst prognosis in terms of disease recurrence and progression, necessitating more aggressive treatment, whereas luminal tumors are associated with the most favorable outcomes.