Intensive radiotherapy of locally advanced bladder cancer

Over a 10-year period, 82 patients with locally advanced bladder cancer were treated by one of two intensive radiotherapy routines. They received either 320 rads/day for 11 consecutive treatment days; or two sets of 320 rads/day for six consecutive treatment days each, with a three-week rest interposed between sets. Side effects were briefly annoying, but quite tolerable. Good quality palliation was obtained. Uncorrected survival rates for the entire series were 48% at 1 year, 20% at 3 years, and 13% at 5 years.