Survival after radical treatment for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Aims: To investigate survival after radical treatment for transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. Methods: This retrospective study included 135 patients with transitional c ell carcinoma of the bladder undergoing radical cystectomy or radiotherapy at Haukeland Hospital, Bergen, Norway, during the period 1981-1986. Forty-f ive patients had cystectomy and 90 underwent external high-dose radiotherap y. Results: The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 39 and 23%, respect ively. After cystectomy 10-year overall survival rates for superficial and muscle-infiltrating tumours were 67 and 26%; after radiotherapy, the corres ponding survival rates for superficial and muscle-infiltrating tumours were 26 and 5%, respectively. Conclusions: Long-term survival and cure can be achieved after cystectomy i n many patients with aggressive superficial or muscle-infiltrating bladder carcinoma. The introduction of orthotopic neobladder reconstruction should encourage the use of cystectomy in patients with aggressive superficial tum our.