title: Neutron therapy of bladder carcinoma: can a high rate of severe complications be avoided in neutron therapy?
abstract: We reviewed retrospectively a series of 58 patients with deeply invasive bladder cancer treated with fast neutron therapy (p(65) + Be) in order to evaluate its tolerance and side effects. Patients were divided into three groups according to treatment technique. Patients of group A received whole pelvis irradiation up to 50 Gy photon equivalent followed by a boost to the bladder up to 57-66 Gy photon equivalent (40-56 days). Group B patients were treated by a split course regimen of 30 Gy photon equivalent on the whole pelvis at 3-4 weeks interval (66-108 days). Group C patients, not suitable for radical treatment, received only 40-54 Gy photon equivalent (26-70 days). The overall 5-year actuarial survival rate was 30% (SE 8%). As expected, T stage was a statistically significant prognostic factor. The overall local control rate reached 21% at 4 years. Acute and late side effects were minimal to moderate. These results suggest that high-energy neutron beam treatment is at least as effective as photon beam treatment for bladder carcinoma, without a higher incidence of major side effects.
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy Department, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirkove
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Van Cangh
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ledent
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Octave-Prignot
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wambersie
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005214:Fast Neutrons; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017247:Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*