Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Following Transurethral Resection

PURPOSE:To assess the efficacy of intra-arterial chemotherapy as a bladder-preservation treatment in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) following transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT).MATERIALS AND METHODS:From 2005 June to 2012 November, 46 patients diagnosed with MIBC (clinical stage T2-T3N0M0) underwent three courses of cisplatin-based intra-arterial chemotherapy as a remedial approach for bladder preservation after TURBT. All patients also received intravesical instillation of chemotherapy as a maintenance strategy.RESULTS:All 46 patients completed the treatment with minor complications. The median follow-up time was 34.5 months (range, 8-87 months). Thirty-two patients (69.6%) demonstrated complete response. The three-year and five-year overall survival was 70.65 and 61.23%, and the disease-specific survival over the same periods was 78.03 and 67.62%, respectively. During the entire follow-up period, more than 80% preserved their bladder.CONCLUSIONS:Intra-arterial chemotherapy can be performed as a remedial treatment for MIBC patient following TURBT. Combined with TURBT, it offers an option for bladder preservation therapy on patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo radical cystectomy.