[Long-term results of short-course preoperative radiotherapy and radical cystectomy for bladder cancer].
BACKGROUND
The long-term effects of preoperative high-dose short-course radiotherapy for bladder cancer are controversial.


METHODS
We reviewed 144 patients with an invasive or grade 3 bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy with or without preoperative radiotherapy between 1978 and 1990. Preoperatively, short-curse radiation (16 Gy) was given to 100 patients, conventional pelvic radiation (median 31 Gy) to 12 patients and no radiation of 32 patients. The median follow-up period was 7 years 11 months. One patient was lost to follow-up.


RESULTS
The overall survival rates did not differ among the short-course, conventional and no-radiation groups. However, if limited to the patients with stage pT2 or higher, or with grade 2 or 3, the survival rates were significantly higher in the short-course radiation group than in the other groups. Although preoperative short-course radiation tended to lower the pathological stage, the presence or absence of down-staging did not influence the survival rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative short-course radiotherapy may possibly improve the prognosis of cystectomized patients with clinical stage T2 or T3, or squamous cell cancer.
Hirabayashi
N
N
Department of Urology, Shinshu University School of Medicine.
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015653:Cystectomy; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014547:Urinary Diversion; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014747:Vinblastine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate