A Single Tertiary Center Experience in a South Asian Population: Does Tobacco Use Influence Bladder Cancer?

Introduction Tobacco use, especially cigarette smoking, is a well-documented risk factor for cancer; however, its specific effect on bladder cancer has not been clearly defined. This study aimed to determine the association between tobacco use and bladder cancer in a South Asian population. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 64 patients diagnosed with bladder tumors from February 2018 to March 2020. Patients included in the study were surveyed via a questionnaire regarding tobacco use. All patients received transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, and we analyzed histopathological and clinical outcomes. Results Our study population’s median age was 57 years, and the study included twice as many male patients as female patients. Most patients (n=45; 70%) reported not using tobacco products, and 19 patients (30%) reported tobacco use. Thirty-five of 45 nontobacco users (78%) had high-grade cancer, and 10 (22%) had low-grade cancer. Among the tobacco users, 10 (52%) had high-grade cancer, and nine (48%) had low-grade cancer. Conclusions According to our findings, a substantial cohort of bladder cancer patients is not tobacco users, and high-grade bladder cancer was more common to people who are not tobacco users. Other environmental factors play a key role in developing bladder cancer in our South Asian study population. Prevention efforts should focus on reducing bladder cancer risk factors.