PREOPERATIVE RADIOTHERAPY FOR MUSCLE-INVADING BLADDER-CARCINOMA

One hundred five patients with clinical stage T2-T4 transitional cell bladder carcinoma who completed either low-dose (20-26 Gy) or high dose (40-50 Gy) preoperative radiotherapy (RT) followed by cystectomy were reviewed. Five-year actuarial survival was 42%, 52%, and 17% for stages T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Five-year local control rates for stages T2, T3, and T4 was 93%, 93% and 22%, respectively. Survival, local control, distant metastasis and complications were similar for both preoperative regimens. The high rates of local control support the use of preoperative RT in selected patients with bladder carcinoma.