The efficacy of radiotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer and its associated factors analysis

Abstract

Objective To analyze the efficacy and its impacting factors of pelvic confined muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treated with radiotherapy, also including the preservation of functional bladders and the treatment related late toxicity. Methods Forty-five MIBC patients who received radiotherapy from March 1999 to October 2016 in our hospital were analyzed.41 of the patients were transitional cell carcinomas. The radiation volume included the bladder±pelvic lymph node with or without local tumor boost, with a median bladder dose of 45 Gy and median tumor dose of 56 Gy.24 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy.14 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 29 underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors before radiotherapy. Results The median follow-up duration was 28 months (range, 4–101 months). The 3-year overall survival were 51%.Concurrent chemoradiotherapy had a better survival than that of radiation alone, with 3-year overall survival of 64% and 30%(P=0.001). The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on 3-year overall survival was not obvious, 59% and 47%(P=0.540) with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The 3-year overall survival were 58% and 43%(P=0.160), respectively for patients with or without the transurethral resection of bladder tumors. The 3-year overall survival were 20% and 79%(P=0.001) for patients with or without relapse. Nine patients recurred locally and fourteen patients developed metastases. The highest bowel toxicity of more than 3 months after radiotherapy was grade 2 in 2 patients. Late grade 2 urinary toxicity occurred in 4 patients, grade 3 in 2 patients. All other patients preserved their functional bladders except 7 patients who had an uncontrolled bladder tumors or radiation induced severe injury of bladder function. Conclusions A better survival could be obtained for localized muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Most of the patients can preserve their functional bladders after radiotherapy, and the late toxicity is acceptable. Key words: Bladder neoplasms/chemoradiotherapy; Treatment outcome