Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder

Clinical and morphological features of 90 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder have been reviewed. The lesions were solitary in 90 per cent of the patients, developed without a history of vesical malignant disease in 82 per cent and were invasive at the time of diagnosis in all cases. Ureteral obstruction was demonstrated in 42 per cent of the group. The over-all survival rate at 5 years was only 10.6 per cent. There were 17 patients who received no therapy, all of whom were dead before 2 years. Unassisted supervoltage radiation therapy for patients with stages B2 and C lesions yielded a 5-year survival rate only 17.7 per cent. However, preoperative radiotherapy followed by simple total cystectomy and urinary diversion in a small number of patients with stages B2 and C lesions resulted in a 5-year survival rate in excess of 34 per cent. We are encouraged by this finding and believe that combination therapy warrants further clinical trial.