Chemoradiation including paclitaxel for locally recurrent muscle-invasive bladder cancer in elderly patients

Background/Aim: To evaluate outcomes and toxicities of chemoradiation with a less intensive paclitaxel regimen for locally recurrent bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: Three elderly patients received simultaneous chemoradiation for recurrent muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Chemotherapy included two courses (three times 25 mg/m2 over 1.5 weeks) of paclitaxel. Radiotherapy doses were 59.4 Gy to the bladder and 50.4 Gy to regional lymph nodes. Survival, local control and toxicities were retrospectively evaluated. Results: One patient died after 71 months, two were alive after 69 and 98 months, respectively. No local recurrence was not observed. Five-year survival and local control rates were 100%. Two patients experienced grade 1 acute dysuria, one patient grade 1 diarrhea. Late toxicities were also mild; two patients had grade 1 dysuria. Conclusion: Chemoradiation with a less intensive paclitaxel regimen resulted in excellent 5-year results and was very well tolerated. It may be a reasonable option for elderly patients who cannot tolerate more intensive approaches.