External Beam Radiation Treatment of Urinary Bladder Carcinoma an Analysis of Results in 203 Patients

Abstract

In a retrospective study, 203 patients with cancer of the urinary bladder were analysed concerning treatment outcome, survival and some prognostic factors. Radiotherapy with curative intent and a tumour dose of 66 Gy in 9 weeks with a 3 weeks' pause after 33 Gy was the planned treatment for 155 patients. Preoperative radiotherapy with a tumour dose of 40 Gy in 4 weeks was delivered to 28 patients, 4–6 weeks prior to cystectomy. Twenty patients with advanced disease received palliative radiotherapy with a tumour dose of 30 Gy in 2 weeks. A significant initial response to radiotherapy was obtained in 26.7% of the patients. The actuarial 5-year survival was 24% for patients treated with definitive radiotherapy only. The most important factors associated with survival in this radiotherapy group were stage (T-class), performance status and serum creatinine. Acute side-effects were common and in 18% of the patients deviation from the planned treatment was necessary.

Key Words:

• Urinary bladder cancer
• external radiotherapy
• local control
• survival
• prognostic factors