Background: Based on the excellent results with combination chemotherapy such as M-VAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) in patients with advanced disease, neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been advocated to improve survival and in some cases to permit bladder conservation.
Methods: A Phase II study of neoadjuvant M-VAC chemotherapy was performed in patients with T2-T4N0M0 bladder tumors. After clinical staging, three cycles of M-VAC were given. After patients underwent postchemotherapy clinical restaging, pathologic restaging (partial or radical cystectomy) was planned.
Results: Forty-six patients are evaluable. A clinical response was attained in 78%. Six patients (13%) had stable disease, and four (9%) had progression. After chemotherapy, 17 patients underwent radical cystectomy, none of whom were pTO. In this group, 10 of the 17 (59%) are alive at a median follow-up of 37+ months (range, 8-62+ months). Eleven patients had a partial cystectomy; 7 of the 11 (64%) are alive, 6 (55%) with a preserved bladder. Eighteen patients had clinical restaging only, and did not have pathologic staging. Median follow-up for this group is 36+ months (11-65+ months). Twenty-one of the 29 (72%) patients managed with conservative surgery or transurethral resection of the bladder alone are alive with a functional bladder. Median survival for all patients has not yet been reached. Two-year survival is 82%, and 3-year survival is 70%.
Conclusions: The current study is of interest in terms of bladder conservation. Assessment of the true success of any bladder-preserving treatment will require longer follow-up.