[Polychemotherapy in advanced bladder cancer. Practicality and clinical results]

From 1987 to 1990 a consecutive series of 172 patients were treated for advanced bladder cancer, in our clinic, 48 of whom underwent radical cystectomy. In 80 of the remaining 124 patients polychemotherapy was not possible, because of impaired renal function, poor performance status, cardiovascular disease, second malignancy or other problems. There were 11 patients who refused further treatment and 13 patients with tumor restricted to the pelvis who underwent radiochemotherapy. Thus, 20 patients received polychemotherapy with either methotrexate, vinblastine, Adriamycin and cisplatin (M-VAC) or cisplatin, methotrexate and vinblastine (CMV). In 90% of the M-VAC cycles and 34% of the CMV cycles dose reduction was necessary. Median survival was 10 months. We achieved 2 complete responses lasting 6 months and 19 months and 4 partial responses. The authors conclude that patients who cannot undergo radical surgery for bladder cancer are not good candidates for polychemotherapy either. Only patients with measurable remission of the tumour have a longer survival. New regimens with lower toxicity, and especially with lower renal toxicity, must be developed.