Methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin chemotherapy and cystectomy for unresectable bladder cancer Journal Article


Authors: Donat, S. M.; Herr, H. W.; Bajorin, D. F.; Fair, W. R.; Sogani, P. C.; Russo, P.; Sheinfeld, J.; Scher, H. I.
Article Title: Methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin chemotherapy and cystectomy for unresectable bladder cancer
Abstract: Purpose: We combined chemotherapy and surgery to improve local control and survival of patients with unresectable bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 patients with unresectable bladder cancer (T4bNx/N+MO) received methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin and cisplatin (M-VAC) chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy when possible. End points were response to M-VAC, local control and survival. Results: Minimum followup was 4 years (range 4 to 7). Of the 41 patients 14 (34%) achieved a complete (TO) and 27 (66%) achieved an incomplete (T+) clinical response to M-VAC, including 29 who underwent exploration and 24 who underwent cystectomy. Definitive surgery was not done in 17 patients due to lack of response to M-VAC with local or systemic tumor progression, or refusal. Nine patients (22%) are alive, including all but 1 after cystectomy for TO disease, and 2 had T+ tumor confined to the bladder for longer than 5 years. None of the patients with no response or tumor progression on M-VAC survived. Resection of extravesical disease after M-VAC in 16 patients did not prolong survival or improve local tumor control. Six patients required laparotomy for palliation of tumor related complications. Conclusions: Our results suggest that patients who present with unresectable bladder cancer may benefit from M-VAC and definitive surgery, especially when disease is TO and PO status. Surgery may salvage select cases of advanced pelvic tumor down staged by chemotherapy to tumors pathologically confined to the bladder. Alternative treatment strategies are needed for the majority of patients with locally advanced bladder cancer.
Keywords: survival; urothelium; experience; prognostic factors; cystectomy; bladder neoplasms; drug therapy; bladder; transitional cell-carcinoma; m-vac methotrexate
Journal Title: Journal of Urology
Volume: 156
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0022-5347
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 1996-08-01
Start Page: 368
End Page: 371
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:A1996UX15200008
DOI: 10.1016/s0022-5347(01)65852-x
PROVIDER: wos
Notes: Article -- Source: Wos
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Paul Russo
    582 Russo
  2. Dean Bajorin
    660 Bajorin
  3. Sherri M Donat
    174 Donat
  4. Joel Sheinfeld
    254 Sheinfeld
  5. Pramod C Sogani
    75 Sogani
  6. Harry W Herr
    595 Herr
  7. Howard Scher
    1130 Scher
  8. William R Fair
    342 Fair