Preoperative irradiation and cystectomy in 135 cases of bladder cancer.

The updated experience of the McGill Teaching Hospitals in treating cancer of the bladder with short course, high-dose radiation and immediate cystectomy is presented. Five-year life table survival for the 135 patients so managed was 43.9 per cent. Survivorship at five years was 34.5 per cent in high-stage disease and 64.1 per cent in low-stage disease. It was concluded that preoperative radiation and surgery as outlined in selected cases remains an effective method of management.