Preliminary outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy in bladder cancer: An initial institutional experience
Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is commonly managed with radical cystectomy, with systemic therapy when indicated, or with bladder-preserving chemotherapy after maximal transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. However, some patients are not candidates for radical chemoradiotherapy because of comorbidities, poor performance status, or anticipated treatment-related toxicity. MIBC can cause severe hematuria, pain, irritative or obstructive bladder symptoms, and local or systemic disease progression. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a curative-intent option in selected disease sites and has gained increasing use in oligometastatic disease. Bladder SBRT, delivered over a shorter treatment course, may improve treatment feasibility and symptom control in selected patients, although published evidence remains limited. We report the preliminary outcomes of our institutional series of SBRT in patients with MIBC and oligometastatic bladder cancer. The initial five patients treated with bladder SBRT included four with MIBC and one with oligometastatic bladder cancer. Treatment was feasible and generally well tolerated, with symptomatic improvement observed in all patients. However, a long follow-up is required to assess the durability of local control and late toxicity.
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