Partial cystectomy in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer

Forty-eight patients with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer underwent partial cystectomy. Their median age was 70 years. Of these patients, 67% had G3 tumors, and 40% had stage pT3b or pT4 tumors. Nine patients received neoadjuvant therapy. Thirty-one patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 21 received postoperative radiotherapy, among whom 19 received adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. The median follow-up was 38 months for all patients, and 68 months for the surviving patients. The cause-specific 5- year survival rate was 63%, while the non-recurrence 5-year survival rate was 58%. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors was carried out with regard to cause-specific survival. Prognosis was statistically better in patients with tumors less than 2cm in diameter, in those with stages pT2 and 3a disease, and in those without hydronephrosis. Partial cystectomy can be recommended in certain clearly selected patients with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer.