Background: Phase II study was conducted to evaluate bladder preservation protocol in Bilharzial and non Bilharzial invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) bladder cancer using gemcitabine and conformal radiotherapy (RT). Methods: 30 TCC patients with good performance status and renal function subjected to maximum trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Patients received 66 Gy/33 fractions/6.5 weeks with weekly gemcitabine 125 mg/m 2 . Evaluation was done after one month with cystoscopy and CT/MRI pelvis. Patients who had complete remission (CR) subjected for follow up and patients who had invasive bladder tumor subjected to radical cystectomy. Results: 24 patients had CR after one month evaluation. Stage 2 tumor, low grade, non Bilharzial and maximum TUR were the only prognostic factors. The treatment schedule was tolerable and was associated with infrequent incidence of moderate toxicity that was easily controlled without interruption of RT. Cystectomy free survival was 88% at a median follow up for 2 years. Conclusions: Gemcitabine and conformal RT after TURBT treatment could be an effective way to achieve a high response rate in the treatment of invasive TCC of the bladder with good tolerance. Organ preservation in Bilharzial bladder is still possible.
KeywordsBladderGemcitabineRadiotherapy
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