Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to Improve Bladder Cancer Staging and Treatment Decision-making

The therapeutic approach to bladder cancer is strongly dependent on tumor stage and grade. Patients with non-muscle-invasive tumors (NMIBC) are usually treated with surgical resection of the tumor alone, whereas patients with muscle-invasive tumors (MIBC) ideally undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and subsequent cystectomy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is emerging as a new staging modality, given its non-invasiveness and excellent soft tissue contrast. However, more advanced multiparametric MRI techniques are yet to be comprehensively investigated in patients with bladder cancer. Recently, genetic characteristics of bladder tumors have been identified that show significant impact on response rates to neoadjuvant treatment. The combination of new multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) techniques and genetic analyses of the tumor might allow for a better assessment of the expected clinical course of the disease and support more personalized treatment approaches.

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Key information

Conditions

Bladder Cancer Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Male Urogenital Diseases Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Urinary Bladder Diseases Urinary Bladder Neoplasms Urogenital Diseases Urogenital Neoplasms Urologic Diseases Urologic Neoplasms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Hospital Zurich

Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients with confirmed or suspected primary bladder cancer and a circumscribed tumor/focal thickening of the bladder wall on initial imaging (ultrasound, CT) or cystoscopy with an approx. size of ≥ 1.5 cm/for which at least 2-3 TUR-B resection loops are necessary
Informed consent as documented by signature (Informed Consent Form)

Exclusion criteria

Prior TUR-B or other bladder treatment, prior treated bladder cancers, prior pelvic irradiation
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Female participants who are surgically sterilized / hysterectomized or post-menopausal for longer than 2 years are not considered as being of childbearing potential.
Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant
Previous enrolment into the current study
Patients with non-MRI compatible metallic or electronic implants, devices or metallic foreign bodies (cardiac pacemaker, shrapnel, cochlea implants, neurostimulator, or other non-MRI compatible implants).

Treatment and study plan

MRI Sequences

Diagnostic Test

New multiparametric MRI techniques

Primary outcomes

Muscle-invasiveness

Time frame: through study completion, an average of 4 years

Presence of tumor infiltration into the muscular bladder wall, as per pathology report (infiltration: yes/no)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Zurich

Other

Collaborators

Swiss National Science Foundation

Registry information

Acronym: SBCT

Important dates

Study start: 2021
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Aug 31, 2020
Registry last updated: Nov 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed