[Bladder tumors treated with radical cystectomy. Results of 78 cases]

The authors present the results of 78 radical cystectomies for bladder tumour, followed up for at least 3 years. All the patients received preoperative pelvic radiotherapy (in general a flash of 5 Gys). Urinary derivation was of transintestinal cutaneous ureterostomy type. Surgery was followed by additional radiotherapy of 50 Gys in 9 patients and chemotherapy (adriamycin, Vehem and cis-platinum) in 6.

stages 0 and A - 100% survival; stage B - 74%; stage C - 29% and stage D - 30%. Amongst the patients dying as a result of their carcinoma, 25% stage B, 36% stage C and 20% stage D had local recurrences. With regard to the prevention of recurrences, heavy preoperative radiotherapy is not more effective than flash radiotherapy of 5 Gy. For stage D and C patients together, overall survival was 50% at 3 years. Four stage D patients appear to be cured at 3 years, i.e. 17% of the stage D cases. This proves the possibility of "cure" of stage D disease by extended excision and thorough lymph node dissection. Adjuvant chemotherapy may certainly play a role.