[Results of long-term treatment of inoperable cancer of the bladder with cisplatin and concurrent irradiation: prognostic factors of local control and survival].

PURPOSE

Therapeutic strategies for muscle invasive bladder cancer are currently evolving. A recent European randomized study has shown that neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not improve the chance of cure or and radiotherapy would provide better results but there is a need to identify by prognostic factors patients who may benefit from such a conservative strategy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and nine patients with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer, who were not candidates for radical cystectomy, were treated with concomitant cisplatin and radiation therapy. Their mean age was 71. Thirty-six percent of the patients had T3B-4 tumors, and 37% had benefited from prior macroscopically complete transurethral resection (TUR). Pelvic irradiation consisted of 40 to 45 Gy and was followed by a boost to the bladder to a total dose of 55 to 60 Gy. Continuous infusion cisplatin (20 to 25 mg/m2/d for 5 days) was delivered during the second and fifth weeks of radiation therapy.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 73 months. The projected 5-year locoregional control rate was 43% for the 109 patients and 55% for the 86 patients with complete response. The projected overall 5-year survival rate was 36% for all patients and 44% for complete responders. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors was carried out for local control, and survival. The local control was statistically better in patients with good performance status, T2-3A, complete initial TUR, and in patients without hydronephrosis. In terms of overall survival, four factors were significant: the performance status, T-stage, absence of hydronephrosis, and complete response. By multivariate analysis, performance status, hydronephrosis and T-stage were significant factors for local control, while T-stage and complete response were the strongest determinants for survival.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy is a potentially locally curative treatment for 43% of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer not candidates for radical surgery. Clinical T-stage and hydronephrosis have a significant and independent prognostic value on local control but appears not discriminant enough to select patients for conservative treatment.