Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chemotherapy in the management of invasive bladder cancer

A review

  • General Review
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Published:
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In this review of the management of invasive carcinoma of the bladder the results of primary and systemic therapies are evaluated in the light of the natural history of the disease.

The clinical and pathological causes of treatment failure are assessed in an attempt to identify new approaches that may be used in the future management of patients with bladder cancer.

To improve survival in this disease requires different approaches to both the control of local disease and the early control of metastatic disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Altman, C. C., McCague, N. J., Ripepi, A. C., Cardozo, M.: The use of methotrexate in advanced carcinoma of the bladder. J. Urol. 108, 271 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ansfield, F.: Treatment of tumours of the urinary tract. In: Chemotherapy of malignant neoplasms. Ansfield, F. (ed.), pp. 288–290. Springfield, Ill.: Thomas 1973

    Google Scholar 

  3. Barnes, R. W.: Endoscopic surgical treatment of bladder tumours. Urol. Digest. 6, 13 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bloom, H. J. G. Treatment of carcinoma of the bladder. A symposium. Radiology 33, 471 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bloom, H. J. G.: Radiotherapy of bladder tumours. Oncology 3, 234–250 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bonadonna, G., Monfardini, S., DeLena, M., Fossati-Bellani, F., Baretta, G.: Clinical trials with adriamycin — Results of three years study. In: International Symposium on Adriamycin. Carter, S. K., DiMarco, A., Chione, M. (eds.), pp. 139–152. New York: Springer 1972

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brady, L. W., Gislason, G. J.: The management of carcinoma of the bladder using supervoltage modalities. Am. J. Roentgenol. 89, 150 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Brice, M., Marshall, V. F., Green, J. L., Whitmore, W. F.: Simple total cystectomy for carcinoma of the urinary bladder. One hundred and fifty-six cases five years later. Cancer 9, 576 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bufield, G. D.: Intravenous methotrexate in the treatment of advanced bladder cancer. Br. J. Urol. 44, 121 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Burn, J. I.: Intra-arterial infusion in malignant disease of the pelvis. In: Second symposium on methotrexate in the treatment of cancer. P. M. Worrall, H. J. Espiner (eds.), pp. 58–73. Bristol: Wright 1966

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bush, H.: Adjuvant chemotherapy. An approach to the management of malignant disease. Br. J. Hosp. Med. (in press, 1979)

  12. Caldwell, W. C., Bagshaw, M. A., Kaplan, H. S.: Efficacy of linear accelerator X-ray therapy on cancer of the bladder. J. Urol. 97, 294 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Carter, S. K., Wasserman, T. H.: The chemotherapy of urologic cancer. Cancer 36, 729 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Collier, D., Soloway, M. S.: Doxorubicin hydrochloride, cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil combination in advanced prostate and transitional cell carcinoma. Urology 8, 459 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Cordonnier, J. J.: Value of cystectomy in the management of carcinoma of the bladder. Trans. Am. Assoc. Genitourin. Surg. 48, 197 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Cox, R.: Treatment of carcinoma of the bladder by 2 MeV X-rays. Br. J. Radiol. 33, 480 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Crigler, C. M., Miller, L. S., Gunn, G. A., Schilloci, H. G.: Radiotherapy for carcinoma of the bladder. J. Urol. 96, 55 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Cross, R. J., Glashan, R. W., Humphrey, C. S., Robertson, M. R. G., Smith, P. H., Williams, R. E.: Treatment of advanced bladder cancer with adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil. Br. J. Urol. 48, 609 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  19. DeKernion, J. B.: The chemotherapy of advanced bladder carcinoma. Cancer Res. 37, 2771 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  20. DeVita, V. T., Young, R. C., Canellos, G. P.: Combination Versus Single-Agent Chemotherapy: Review of basis for selection of drug treatment of cancer. Cancer 35, 98 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Dick, D. A. L.: Carcinoma of the bladder treated by external irradiation. Br. J. Urol. 34, 340 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Early, K., Elias, E. G., Mittleman, A, Albert, D., Murphy, G. P.: Mitomycin C in the treatment of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Cancer 31, 1150 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Edland, R. W., Wear, J. B., Ansfield, F. J.: Advanced cancer of the urinary bladder. An analysis of the results of radiotherapy alone versus radiotherapy and concomitant 5-fluorouracil. A prospective randomised study of 36 cases. Am. J. Roentgenol. 108, 124 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Edsmyr, F., Jacobson, F., Dahl, O., Walstam, R.: Cobalt 60 teletherapy of carcinoma of the bladder. Acta Radiol. Ther. 6, 81 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  25. European Organisation for Research on the Treatment of Cancer. Co-operative Group for Leukaemias and Haematosarcomas: Clinical screening of epidophyllotoxin (VM26) in malignant lymphomas and soid tumours. Br. Med. J. 1972 2, 744

  26. Field, J.: 5-Fluorouracil treatment of advanced cancer in ambulatory patients. Cancer Chemother. Rep. 33, 45 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Flocks, R. H.: Treatment of carcinoma of the bladder. JAMA 145, 295 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Fox, M.: The effect of cyclophosphamide on some urinary tract tumours. Br. J. Urol. 37, 399 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Frei, E., Luce, J. K., Middleman, E.: In: Clinical trials of adriamycin. International Symposium on Adriamycin. Carter, S. K. et al. (eds.), pp. 153–164. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1972

    Google Scholar 

  30. Friedman, M.: Supervoltage (2MV) rotation irradiation of cancer of the bladder. Radiology 73, 191 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Gerarty, J. T.: Treatment of malignant diseases of prostate and bladder. J. Urol. 7, 33 (1922)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Glenn, J., Hunt, L., Lathem, J.: Chemotherapy of bladder cancer with 5-fluorouracil. Cancer Chemother. Res. 27, 67 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Hall, R. R., Bloom, H. J. G., Freeman, J. E., Nawrocki, A., Wallace, D. M.: Methotrexate treatment for advanced bladder cancer. Br. J. Urol. 46, 431 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Henderson, E. S., Samaha, R. J.: Evidence that drugs in multiple combinations have materially advanced the treatment of human malignancies. Cancer Res. 29, 2272 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Herring, H. T.: The treatment of vesical papilloma by injections. (silver nitrate). Br. Med. J. 1903 2, 539

    Google Scholar 

  36. Holland, J. F., Scharlau, C., Gailani, S., Krant, M. J., Olson, K. B., Horton, J., Shnider, B. I., Lynch, J. J., Owens, A., Carbone, P. P., Colby, J., Grob, D., Miller, S. P., Hall, T. C.: Vincristine treatment of advanced cancer. A co-operative study of 392 cases. Cancer Res. 33, 1258 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Ishida, N.: In: Antitumour antibiotics. Symposium 81. 10th International Congress Antimicrobial and Anticancer Chemotherapy. Zurich, 1977

  38. Jack, E. A.: Improved results of irradiation for carcinoma of the bladder. J. Urol. 102, 330 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Jacobs, E. M., Reeves, W. J., Wood, D. A., Pugh, R., Brounwald, J., Bateman, J. R.: Treatment of cancer with weekly intravenous 5-fluorouracil. Cancer 27, 1302 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Jewett, H. J.: The diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma of the bladder. Penn. Med. J. 60, 473 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Jewett, H. J.: Cancer of the bladder. Diagnosis and staging. Cancer 32, 1072 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Jewett, H. J., Strong, G. H.: Infiltrating carcinoma of the bladder. J. Urol. 55, 366 (1946)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Jewett, H. J., King, L. R., Shelley, W. M.: A study of 365 cases of infiltrating bladder cancer: Relation of certain pathological characteristics to prognosis after extirpation. J. Urol. 92, 668 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Johnson, J. E., Knessler, K. E., Karminsky, S., Jing, B. S., Wallace, S.: Lymphangiography as an aid in staging bladder cancer. South. Med. J. 69, 28 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Kaufman, J. J.: Treatment of carcinoma of the bladder with combined radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Arch. Surg. 99, 477 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kaufman, J. J.: Adjunctive radiotherapy in the treatment of invasive carcinoma of the bladder. In: Current controversies in urologic management. R. Scott (ed.), pp. 60–65. Philadelphia: Saunders 1972

    Google Scholar 

  47. Kurrohara, S. S., Rubin, P., Silou, N.: Analysis in depth of bladder cancer treated by supervoltage therapy. Am. J. Roentgenol. 95, 458 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Lang, E. K.: The roentgenographic assessment of bladder tumours. A comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of roentgenographic techniques. Cancer 23, 717 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  49. MacKenzie, A. R., Whitmore, W. F., Nickson, J. J.: Supervoltage X-ray therapy of bladder cancer. Cancer 18, 1255 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Martin, D. S.: Experimental design for chemotherapeutic cure of spontaneous mammary mouse carcinoma. Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. 3, 248 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Martin, D. S., Fugman, R. A.: Clinical implications of the inter-relationship of tumour size and chemotherapeutic response. Ann. Surg. 151, 87 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Merrin, C., Cartegena, R., Wajsman, Z., Baum Gardner, C., Murphy, G. P.: Chemotherapy of bladder cancer with Cytoxan and adriamycin. J. Urol. 114, 884 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Miller, L. S.: Bladder Cancer. Superiority of preoperative irradiation and cystectomy in clinical stages B2 and C. Cancer 39, 973 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Miller, L. S., Johnson, D. E.: Megavoltage irradiation for bladder cancer, alone, pre-operative or post-operative. In: 7th National Cancer Conference Proceedings, pp. 771 ff. Lippincott 1972

  55. Milner, W. A.: The role of conservative surgery in the treatment of bladder tumours. Br. J. Urol. 26, 375 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Moore, G., Bross, I. D., Ausman, R., Nadler, S., Jones, R., Slack, N., Reim, A.: Effects of 5-fluorouracil in 389 patients with cancer. Cancer Chemother. Rep. 27, 67 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  57. Moore, M. R. R., Newton, K. A.: Palliation of malignant pelvic disease by intra-aortic injection of nitrogen mustard or ethoglucid. Cancer Chemother. Rep. 41, 19 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  58. Morrison, R. J.: Carcinoma of the bladder. Its treatment by supervoltage X-ray therapy. Clin. Radiol. 11, 125 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  59. Munro, A. I.: The results of using radioactive gold grains in the treatment of bladder growths. Br. J. Urol. 36, 541 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  60. Nevin, J. E., Melnick, I., Baggerly, J. T., Hoffman, A., Landes, R. R., Easley, C.: The continuous arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil as a therapeutic adjunct. Cancer 31, 138 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  61. Nichols, J. A., Marshall, B. F.: Treatment of histologically benign papilloma of the urinary bladder by local excision and a fulguration. Cancer 9, 24 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  62. Ogata, J., Migita, N., Nakamura, T.: Treatment of carcinoma of the bladder by infusion of the anticancer agent mitomycin C via the internal iliac artery. J. Urol. 110, 667 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  63. Omura, J., Migita, N., Nakamura, T.: Clinical and pathological studies on cancer of the urinary bladder with anticancer drugs. Gann Symp. Monogr. 18, 52–82 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  64. Paterson, R., Pointon, R. S. P.: Manchester staging of carcinoma of the bladder. In: The treatment of malignant diseases by radiotherapy. pp 369 ff. London: Edward Arnold 1963

    Google Scholar 

  65. Pavone-Macaluso, M.: Chemotherapy of vesical and prostatic tumours. Br. J. Urol. 43, 701 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  66. Pointon, R. S.: An analysis of the results of treatment on carcinoma of the bladder by radical (three weeks) megavoltage (4MV) X-ray therapy. In: International Bladder Cancer Conference. Leeds, UICC (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  67. Poole-Wilson, D. S.: The treatment of malignant tumours of the bladder by irradiation therapy. Br. J. Urol. 26, 326 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  68. Prout, G. R.: The surgical management of bladder carcinoma. Urol. Clin. North Am. 3, 149 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  69. Prout, G. R., Bross, I. D. J., Slack, N. H., Ansmann, R. K.: Carcinoma of the bladder: 5-FU and the critical role of a placebo. Cancer 22, 926 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  70. Prout, G. R., Slack, N. H., Bross, I. D. J.: Irradiation and 5-fluorouracil in the management of invasive bladder carcinoma. A co-operative group report after 4 years. J. Urol. 104, 116 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  71. Prout, G. R., Slack, N. H., Bross, I. D. J.: Preoperative irradiation and cystectomy for bladder carcinoma. Results in a selected population. 7th National Cancer Conference Proceedings. Lippincott. pp. 783–793 (1973)

  72. Pryor, J. P.: Factors influencing the survival of patients with transitional cell tumours of the bladder. Br. J. Urol. 45, 586 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  73. Riches, E.: Choice of treatment in carcinoma of bladder. J. Urol. 84, 472 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  74. Roosa, R., Weaver, C. F., Delameter, E. D.: Importance of transplant size in chemotherapeutic assay with the use of the Gardner lymphosarcoma. Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. 3, 243 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  75. Rubin, P.: The impact of supervoltage irradiation on the treatment of bladder cancer. J. Urol. 86, 82 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  76. Scott, R., Koff, W. J., Hudgins, P. T., McCullough, D.: Preoperative irradiation in the surgical treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. A preliminary report based on 12 years experience. J. Urol. 109, 405 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  77. Semple, J. E.: Papillomata of the bladder treated with podophyllin, Br. Med. J. 1948 1, 1235

    Google Scholar 

  78. Shnider, I., Gold, G., Hall, T., Dederick, M., Nevinny, H. B., Potty, K., Lasagna, L., Owens, A. H., Hreschyshyn, H., Selawry, O., Holland, J. F., Jones, R., Colsky, J., Franzino, A., Zubrud, C., Frei, E., Brindley, C.: Preliminary studies with cyclophosphamide. Cancer Chemother. Rep. 8, 106 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  79. Skinner, D. G.: Current state of classification and staging in bladder cancer. Cancer Res. 37, 2838 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  80. Slavik, M.: Adriamycin activity in genito-urinary and gynaecological malignancy. In: Fifty New Drug Seminar. National Cancer Institute 1974

  81. Soloway, M. S.: Single and combination chemotherapy for primary murine bladder cancer. Cancer 36, 333 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  82. Soloway, M. S., DeKernion, J. B., Rose, J. D., Persky, L.: Effect of chemotherapeutic agents on bladder cancer. A new animal model. Surg. Forum. 13, 542 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  83. Stein, J. T., Kaufman, J. T.: The treatment of carcinoma of the bladder with special reference to the use of preoperative radiation therapy combined with 5-fluorouracil. Am. J. Roentgenol. 102, 519 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  84. Stone, J. H., Hodges, C. V.: Radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer. J. Urol. 96, 207 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  85. Sullivan, R. D.: Intra-arterial methotrexate therapy. The dose, duration and route of administration. Studies of methotrexate in clinical cancer chemotherapy. In: First Symposium on the Treatment of Cancer. Porter, R., Wiltshaw, E. (eds.), pp. 50–55. Bristol: Wright 1962

    Google Scholar 

  86. Turner, A. G., Hendry, W. F., MacDonald, J. S., Wallace, J. M.: The value of lymphography in the management of bladder cancer. Br. J. Urol. 48, 579 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  87. Turner, A. G., Hendry, W. F., Williams, G. B., Bloom, H. J. G.: The treatment of advanced bladder cancer with methotrexate. Br. J. Urol. 49, 673–678 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  88. Van Der Werf-Messing, B.: Treatment of carcinoma of the bladder with radium. Clin. Radiol. 15, 16 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  89. Van der Werf-Messing, B.: Telecobalt treatment of carcinoma of the bladder. Clin. Radiol. 16, 165 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  90. Van der Werf-Messing, B.: Carcinoma of the bladder treated with suprapubic radium implants. Eur. J. Cancer 5, 277 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  91. Van der Werf-Messing, B.: Careinoma of the bladder treated by preoperative irradiation followed by cystectomy. Eur. J. Cancer 7, 467 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  92. Wajsman, Z., Baumgartner, G., Murphy, G. P., Merrin, C.: Lymphangiography in tumours of the kidney, bladder and testis. J. Urol. 114, 712 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  93. Wallace, D. M., Bloom, H. J. G.: The management of deeply infiltrating (T3) bladder carcinoma. Br. J. Urol. 48, 587 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  94. Weinstein, S., Schmidt, J.: Doxorubicin chemotherapy in advanced transitional cell carcinoma. Urology 8, 336 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  95. Weiss, A., Jackson, L., Carabasi, R.: An evaluation of 5-fluorouracil in malignant disease. Ann. Intern. Med. 55, 731 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  96. Whitmore, W. F.: The treatment of bladder tumours. Surg. Clin. North Am. 49, 349 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  97. Whitmore, W. F.: Preoperative irradiation of carcinoma of the bladder. In: Modern trends in urology, pp. 204 ff. London: Butterworths 1972

    Google Scholar 

  98. Whitmore, W. F., Marshall, V. F.: Radical total cystectomy for cancer of the bladder. Two hundred and thirty consecutive cases, five years later. J. Urol. 87, 853 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  99. Whitmore, W. F., Grabstadt, H., MacKenzie, A. R., Ishwariah, L., Phillips, R.: Preoperative irradiation with cystectomy in the management of bladder cancer. Am. J. Roentgenol. 102, 570 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  100. Williams, S. D., Rohn, R. J., Einhorn, L. H.: Chemotherapy of bladder cancer with cis-diaminodichloroplatinum, adriamycin, and 5-fluorouracil. Proc. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. (ASCO) 19, 316 (Abstract C-37) (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  101. Wilson, W. L.: Chemotherapy of human solid tumours with 5-fluorouracil. Cancer 13, 1230 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  102. Woodruff, M. W., Murphy, W. T., Hodson, J. M.: Use of combination 5-fluorouracil and supervoltage irradiation therapy in advanced carcinoma of bladder. A preliminary report. Cancer Chemother. Rep. 21, 123 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  103. Woodruff, M. W., Murphy, W. T., Hodson, J. M.: Further observations on the use of combination 5-FU and supervoltage radiation therapy in the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the bladder. J. Urol. 90, 747 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  104. Woodruff, M. W., Hardner, C. J., Webster, J., Parghi, G.: Advanced cancer of the urinary bladder. Cancer Bull. 19, 29 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  105. Yagoda, A.: Future implications of phase two chemotherapy trials in 95 patients with measurable advanced bladder cancer. Cancer Res. 37, 2775 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  106. Yagoda, A., Watson, R. C., Whitmore, W. F., Grabstadt, H., Middleman, M. P., Krakoff, I. H.: Adriamycin in advanced urinary tract cancer. Experience in 42 patients and a review of the literature. Cancer 39, 279 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. C.R.C., Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital, M2O 9BX, Manchester, England

    H. Bush & N. Thatcher

  2. Department of Urology, University Hospitals of South manchester, Withington, M20 9DT, Manchester, England

    R. Barnard

Authors
  1. H. Bush
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. Thatcher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Barnard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bush, H., Thatcher, N. & Barnard, R. Chemotherapy in the management of invasive bladder cancer. Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 3, 87–96 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00254978

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00254978

Keywords

Search

Navigation