Sarcoma and carcinosarcoma of the bladder in adults

Sarcomas of the bladder occur rarely in adults. As a result, the natural history of these unusual tumors and the best methods of treatment are uncertain. We reviewed our experience with 13 patients presenting between 1970 and 1980 (5 had leiomyosarcoma, 5 had carcinosarcoma and 3 had rhabdomyosarcoma). Gross hematuria nearly always was the presenting symptom. Patients treated by partial cystectomy fared poorly, while 7 treated by radical cystectomy and supravesical urinary diversion had an excellent prognosis: 6 (86 per cent) have been free of disease for more than 1 year, including 4 who have survived more than 45 months without evidence of recurrence or metastasis.