Prognostic factors in patients with bladder carcinoma treated with definitive irradiation

An analysis was performed of 116 patients with bladder carcinoma who completed definitive radiotherapy at a single institution. Patients were analyzed for survival and local control. The overall 5-year survival rate was 34%. A multivariate analysis of survival showed disease stage, hemoglobin level, histologic grade, and total dose to be significant factors in outcome. The local control rates for Stage A, B, C, and D patients were 26%, 36%, 18%, and 0%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed disease stage and pretreatment hemoglobin level to be significant predictors of local control. In patients unsuitable for surgery or current combined technique protocols, high-dose irradiation may offer some patients survival and local control. Furthermore, prognostic factors in this study may aid in the stratification necessary for current protocol designs.