[Therapeutic problems in the radiotherapy of bladder tumors]

The indications of different radiation techniques are reviewed. Out of these, the interstitial therapy should be regarded more attentively in future, unless too large a tumor is present in the fixed part of the bladder. The spatial distribution of the dose during percutaneous megavoltage therapy depends on the tumor stage. Irradiation is not allowed to be confined to the bladder except in case of primary findings corresponding to T1-2N0, the tumor being confined to the mucous or to the internal muscular tunica respectively, the degree of its malignancy being low and transitional cells having been revealed histologically. In all other cases, irradiation has to encompass the whole small pelvis. The split-course-technique has proved its value. If available, ultrahard bremsstrahlung is to be preferred. For radiation therapy of small volumes, fast electrons should be tested also in future.