Experience with high dose, short course preoperative radiation therapy and immediate single stage cystectomy in management of bladder cancer: a preliminary report.

This preliminary report concerns our experience with the use of high dose, short course preoperative radiation therapy and immediate single state cystectomy for the management of bladder cancer. Data reveal that 1,660 rad delivered in 4 days and followed by immediate cystectomy do not increase operative morbidity or mortality. The operative mortality and morbidity of a single stage radical cystectomy with en bloc pelvic node dissection and urinary diversion are no greater than that reported for less radical procedures without node dessection. In this series the incidence of nodal involvement ranged from 10 percent for PIS and P1 tumors to 50 per cent for P3 tumors, implying the need for treatment of pelvic nodes whenever cystectomy seems indicated.