title: Combined chemoradiotherapy for invasive bladder cancer: a feasibility approach in a non selected population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to evaluate the tolerance and response rate to neo-adjuvant combined chemo-radiotherapy and to determine the possibilities of conservative treatment in patients (pts) with muscle invasive bladder cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine T1-4, NO-3 pts were enrolled in this study. After 2 cycles of treatment, responders at intermediate assessment were treated by either additional chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy or radical cystectomy. If there was evidence of persistent tumour, radical cystectomy was performed whenever possible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five (90%) pts completed the pre-operative treatment, 26/39 (67%) were in remission at intermediate assessment and 8 of them underwent a radical cystectomy. The median follow-up was 87 months, and 15 pts are alive without evidence of tumour and 5 with bladder preservation. The 3 and 5-year survival was 51 and 40%, respectively. Median survival differences between the responding operated or non-operated pts were not statistically different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy for invasive bladder cancer is effective with acceptable toxicity, and inoperable patients can benefit from such treatment.
authors.affiliation: Département de Medecine, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Pree
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aapro
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mermillod
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miralbell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Graber
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Achille
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alberto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents