Comparison of radical cystectomy and radical radiotherapy for muscle‑invasive bladder cancer
There was no difference in overall, cause‑specific, and distant recurrence‑free survival at 5 years between the two groups, despite the radiotherapy group being older.
In a retrospective study of 169 muscle‑invasive bladder cancer patients treated at a UK centre between 1996 and 2000, overall, cause‑specific and distant recurrence‑free survival at 5 years were similar between patients treated with radical cystectomy and those given radical radiotherapy, despite the radiotherapy group being older. Radiotherapy was therefore a viable curative option for elderly patients.
Bladder cancer represents a major cause of morbidity in older adults. Showing that organ‑preserving radiotherapy gives equivalent long‑term survival to cystectomy offers an important treatment alternative for patients who may not tolerate major surgery.
Evidence level: Klinikai vizsgálat. Formális klinikai vizsgálati eredmény.