Is The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) bladder cancer cohort representative of invasive bladder cancer?

摘要

Purpose: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Consortium has conducted a comprehensive molecular characterization of invasive bladder cancer (BCa). This open-access dataset has become the critical reference for studying biomarkers and mechanisms of disease in BCa. In order for this data to be considered representative, and to allow comparisons of markers between cohorts, clinicopathologic characteristics of this cohort need to conform to those established for this disease state. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of the TCGA BCa cohort in comparison with published cystectomy series.