Concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer

Eight patients with locally advanced bladder cancer who were not candidates for radical cystectomy or concurrent intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiotherapy were treated with combined platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Six of the eight patients (75%) achieved a clinical complete response (CR). The effect of therapy in four patients whose histopathological responses were evaluated was effect grade 3. One of the eight patients died of treatment-related myelosuppression. The other two patients died of intercurrent disease, while the remaining five patients are alive with preservation of a functional bladder. The 2-year overall survival rate was 87.5%. Adverse events due to chemotherapy were mainly bone marrow suppression. Those caused by radiation therapy were rectal irritability. We considered concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy useful for the treatment of locally advanced bladder cancer.