(Purpose) In this study, we have retrospectively compared patient backgrounds, prognosis and QOL (quality of life) in patients with invasive bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy or by bladder preservation
(Patients and Methods) This study enrolled recent 30 cases from each institutions, totally 120 cases from four institutions. All patients were diagnosed with invasive bladder cancer in stage T2 or T3, N0, M0. The patients planned for preserving the bladder were treated with a combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiation as an induction therapy. The questionnaire used to assess QOL was the EORTC QLQ-C 30 (Japanese-language edition).
(Results) Radical cystectomy was selected as the initial treatment in 60 cases (the planned radical cystectomy group). Bladder preservation was planned but the presence of residual tumors after induction therapy underwent radical cystectomy in 18 cases (the preservation-radical cystectomy group). Bladder preservation was achieved in 42 cases (the preservation group). In a comparison of background factors, histologically grade 3 tumor and cases with histology other than transitional cell carcinoma, were significantly common in the planned radical cystectomy group.
Because this study is not an randomized test, it is difficult to compare the outcomes between the patients treated by radical cystectomy or by bladder preservation. However, it is indicated that the candidates for bladder preservation therapy exist among the patients with T2 or T3, N0, M0 bladder cancer.
Quality of life, as evaluated from global QL and from physical, cognitive, and emotional function, tended to be better in the patients with their bladder, although no difference was noted among the groups with regard to life role or social function. Symptoms such as sleep disturbance and diarrhea were common in the radical cystectomy groups, and financial impact, constipation, appetite loss, and dyspnea also tended to more frequently affect patients in these groups.
(Conclusion) Our results indicate that bladder preservation treatment using an induction therapy is one of option of the treatment for clinically T2 or T3, N0, M0 bladder cancer. We need a prospective randomized study with a long-term follow-up to elucidate true candidates for this treatment.