Results of concomitant radio-chemotherapy for invasive bladder tumors.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate combined radiation and chemotherapy for invasive bladder tumors and to define possible biological prognostic factors.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Forty-five patients (mean age 75 years, range 68 to 86) were treated by deep bladder resection with combined radiation (5 courses of 10 Grays [Gys]) and chemotherapy (2 cycles of 100 mg of cisplatin over 7 weeks). Subsequent to the treatment, evaluations at 10 weeks, then 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, and every year, included a clinical examination, Karnofsky evaluation, a cystoscopy with urinary cytology, and systematic deep bladder pathology biopsies after a computer tomography (CT) scan. In our series, DNA analysis and an immuno-histochemistry study of MiB1, p53, and MdR were also performed in the last 20 patients.

RESULTS

At 6 months, progression of the disease was evaluated in 26% of cases; at 12 months, satisfactory local control was evaluated in 60% of cases. However, only 15 patients were in complete remission after a period of 2 years. Of these, only eight patients were in remission with more than 42 months follow-up. We observed aneuploid tumors in 30% of cases; these patients died after 6 months despite concomitant radio-chemotherapy. In our experience, the results of associated immuno-histochemistry markers was not really contributive.

CONCLUSION

This therapeutic alternative may be useful in patients where a cystectomy cannot be performed. It not only permits bladder conservation, but also offers satisfactory, significant quality of life, even if survival rates remain uncertain.