[Adjuvant chemotherapy following total cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer with bleomycin, vincristine and methotrexate].

Eleven patients with invasive bladder cancer were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin (5 mg, i.m., day 1-7), vincristine (1 mg/sq.m.i.v., day 8) and methotrexate (200-300 mg/sq.m.i.v. day 8). Chemotherapy was started about 4 weeks following total cystectomy and repeated every 2 or 3 weeks at least for one year. Five of the patients were free of disease at the mean follow-up time of 35.6 months, ranging from 21 to 50 month. The 3-year survival rate was 54.5%. Bone marrow suppression (36%), nausea and vomiting (55%) were observed, but they were not serious and well tolerated. These results suggest that this regimen could be used safely as an adjuvant chemotherapy following total cystectomy for patients with invasive bladder cancer. Further evaluation will be necessary.