885 - The Efficacy of Gemcitabine-Based Chemoradiotherapy for the Definitive Treatment of Locally-Advanced Bladder Cancer

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and the tolerability of gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for the definitive treatment of locally-advanced bladder cancer. Methods Patients with the diagnosis of locally-advanced, transitional cell bladder cancer, who had been treated with gemcitabine-based CRT at the Radiation Oncology department of the Uludag University between January 2005 and January 2009, were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. After maximal transurethral resection of tumor, three-dimensional radiotherapy (RT) was administered at an initial dose of 45 Gy to the primary tumor site plus regional lymphatics followed by a 20 Gy boost to the whole bladder with additional 2 cm margins (1.8 Gy daily fractions, five days a week). All patients received weekly gemcitabine at a dose of 350 mg/m2 on Mondays during the course of RT. Response evaluations were performed every three months by systoscopic examinations and appropriate radiologic studies. Results A total of 20 patients were entered into the study. There were 18 male and 2 female with a median age of 72 (range: 40–78). The median disease-free survival was 35,0 ± 8,2 months (95% CI: 18,7–51,2), and the median overall survival was 37,0 ± 4,4 (95% CI: 28,3–45,7). Acute treatment-related grade ¾ hematologic toxicities were seen in 4 patients (20%). Although 3 patients (15%) exhibited grade ½ gastrointestinal toxicities, there were no grade ¾ non-hematologic toxicities. Conclusion Gemcitabine-based definitive CRT seems to be effective and tolerable treatment option for the treatment of locally-advanced bladder cancer. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.