The treatment of primary operable transitional cell cancer of the bladder without cystectomy. Preliminary report

These cases illustrate the potential effectiveness of a fractionated combination chemotherapy program in controlling invasive operable cancer of the bladder without side effects and with sustained normal bladder function. It should be emphasized that these patients had refused any other modality, including surgery, radiation therapy, and standard dosage chemotherapy. At this time all patients are free of clinical disease, living normal lives, and have suffered no side effects from the treatment protocol. The authors believe that by continuous monitoring and close observation, as was illustrated in case No. 2, X-ray therapy and/or surgery can still be utilized effectively if necessary, and if the patient accepts it at the time. This is only a case report study of three patients for a limited period of time. It is not suggested that this should be the treatment of choice in operable cancer of the bladder; however, it opens up a potential for those patients who refuse surgery and/or X-ray therapy and are not willing to accept the side effects of chemotherapy.