The quality of life after radical radiotherapy for bladder cancer.
The quality of life in 72 patients who had shown a complete response to radiotherapy, using a modified bladder symptom score and the Nottingham health profile, was compared with the quality of life in a similar control group matched for age and sex. There was no significant difference in either group. The records of 69 patients who had undergone post-radiation salvage cystectomy were reviewed, looking specifically at surgical complications. There were 3 post-operative deaths (5%), 3 pulmonary emboli and 3 fistulae--with some overlap of complications. Five patients who underwent cystectomy for intractable symptoms in the apparent absence of recurrent tumour were found to have residual cancer in the excised specimens.
Lynch
W J
WJ
Department of Urology, Royal London Hospital.
Jenkins
B J
BJ
Fowler
C G
CG
Hope-Stone
H F
HF
Blandy
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015653:Cystectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery