A comparative study of two preoperative radiation regimens with cystectomy for bladder cancer.

This report surveys the results of two programs of preoperative irradiation with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in 205 patients. Irradiating the true pelvis to 4000 rads in 4 weeks with radical cystectomy after 6 weeks was implemented in 119 patients (Group 1) from 1959 to 1965; 2000 rads given in 1 week to the true pelvis and radical cystectomy within the following week was implemented in 86 patients (Group 2) from 1966 to 1970. Determinate survival without evidence of recurrence at 5 years was 43% in Group 1 and 42% in Group 2. Mortality with recurrence of bladder cancer in 5 or more years was 44% in group 1 and 42% in group 2. Pelvic complications occurred in 13% of group 1 and 9% of group 2.