title: Hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy for bladder cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate hematuria-free survival as well as acute and late toxicity after hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy for bladder cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2004 and January 2013, 44 patients with biopsy-proven urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were irradiated according to a palliative schedule to a total dose of 34.5 Gy in six fractions of 5.75 Gy given once a week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 10 months, 91% of patients were still hematuria free, with a mean hematuria-free survival of 13 months. Severe (≥ grade 3) acute and late urinary toxicity was observed in 9 and 19% of patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This hypofractionated radiotherapy schedule appears to result in acceptable toxicity and manages successful and long-term palliation of hematuria in most patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuvens Kankerinstituut (LKI), University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. piet.dirix@gza.be.|Department of Radiation Oncology, Iridium Cancer Network, GZA St Augustinus Hospital, Oosterveldlaan 24, Wilrijk (Antwerp), Antwerp, Belgium. piet.dirix@gza.be.
authors.forename: Piet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dirix
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuvens Kankerinstituut (LKI), University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vingerhoedt
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joniau
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Cleynenbreugel
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Leuvens Kankerinstituut (LKI), University Hospitals Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haustermans
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*
keywords: Altered fractionation; Bladder cancer; Palliation; Radiotherapy