Metastatic small-cell carcinoma of the bladder that maintains a complete response to chemoradiation therapy

IntroductionSmall-cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder has a poor prognosis, and no standard treatment has been established. We encountered a case of a patient with metastasis in which complete response and long-term survival were obtained by treating the primary lesion with a combination of irinotecan, carboplatin chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.Case presentationAn 83-year-old man was diagnosed with a bladder tumor with liver metastasis. Small-cell carcinoma was diagnosed via transurethral resection. Second-line chemotherapy with irinotecan and carboplatin and irradiation of the primary lesion were significantly effective. The imaging evaluation showed a complete response. The therapeutic effect was maintained for 1 year, even after the discontinuation of chemotherapy.ConclusionIrinotecan and carboplatin should be considered for the treatment of small-cell carcinoma of the bladder. Irradiation of the primary lesion may also be useful if the extent of metastasis is low.