BLOOD-TESTS AND PROGNOSIS IN BLADDER CARCINOMAS TREATED WITH DEFINITIVE RADIOTHERAPY

The value of some commonly recorded blood tests as prognostic factors in patients with bladder carcinomas treated with definitive radiothera py has been assessed. This study included 202 consecutive patients (T2 , n = 46; T3, n = 82 and T4, n = 74) treated during the period 1980-19 87. The median total dose received was 56 Gy [50-67] and the median cu mulative radiation effect was 1750 reu (radiation effect unit) (1515-1 823). The blood tests examined in survival analyses were erythrocyte s edimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin (Hb), leucocyte and thrombocyte co unt, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GT), lacta te dehydrogenase (LD), creatinine and albumin. In the univariate survi val analyses six blood tests were significant prognostic factors (ESR, albumin, creatinine, Hb, ALP and GT). In the multivariate analysis of all 202 patients, the following five variables were significantly ass ociated with shorter survival: T4 tumors, ESR > 30 mm/h, albumin < 35 g/l, LD > 400 U/I and age > 75 years. Our conclusion is that several c ommonly recorded blood tests are powerful prognostic factors in bladde r cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy. These tests can replace other more expensive laboratory investigations used for prognosticati on.