Bladder-conserving surgery and interstitial brachytherapy for lymph node negative transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: Results of a 28-year single institution experience

We retrospectively analyzed results for lymph node negative transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with brachytherapy.From 1975-2002, 58 patients received preoperative external irradiation, partial cystectomy (in 69%), iliac node dissection, and iridium-192. Pathologic stage was: 10 pT1, 41 pT2, and 7 pT3. A median total brachytherapy dose of 60Gy was delivered to the tumor bed.Mean follow-up was 76 months (range, 0.5-296). Tumor stage significantly impacted cause-specific and disease-free survival (P=0.02). Eight pT1 patients were free of disease and 2 died of other cause. For pT2 patients, 5-year cause-specific and overall survival rates were, respectively, 70% (CI 95%: 53-87) and 60% (CI 95%: 43-77). Three pT3 patients died of cancer. For the pT2 patients, the probability of 5-year local control was 65% (CI 95%: 47-83) and being alive without disease with a functional bladder, 50% (CI 95%: 33-67). Previous transurethral resection (TUR) increased the bladder relapse risk among pT2 patients (P=0.03). Twelve patients had severe acute complications and 5 had severe late effects. A high dose of external irradiation increased risk of late complications (P=0.01). Most complications occurred in patients treated before 1985.Highly select patients presenting with pT2 tumors less than 5cm with no history of previous TUR may be successfully treated with low-dose external irradiation, limited partial cystectomy, and interstitial brachytherapy. High-risk pT1 patients may also benefit. Postoperative complications and late side effects are minimized with modern management. We recommend lifelong cystoscopic surveillance, with prompt surgical salvage for recurrence.