Salvage cystectomy for bladder and gynaecologic cancer after irradiation failure.

From November 1981 through 1983, salvage cystectomy was performed on five men with recurrent bladder carcinoma after definitive irradiation; three of the men were 75 years or older. There were no deaths, but the complication rate was fairly high, though acceptable. Salvage cystectomy was further performed, together with radical extirpation of reproductive organs, in two women with recurrent gynaecologic malignancy and a history of local irradiation. The authors conclude that salvage cystectomy is a fairly safe procedure, even in elderly patients, relieving discomfort and probably also prolonging survival.