Efficacy of brachytherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer: a single-center retrospective clinical study

To explore the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of brachytherapy of locally advanced bladder cancer, clinical data of 86 patients with locally advanced bladder cancer treated in the Department of Urology Surgery, Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, between January 2015 and June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were categorized into the study (<i>n</i> = 45) and control (<i>n</i> = 41) groups according to the treatment methods. Patients in the study group were treated with brachytherapy (intraoperative implantation of radioactive particles) + neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and those in the control group were treated with NAC. Patients in both groups underwent radical cystectomy (RC) + pelvic lymph node dissection. Postoperative pathological examinations proved that patients in both groups had urothelial carcinoma at stage pT₃-pT₄. The endpoints included 3-y locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events after treatment. The efficacy and safety of interstitial implantation of radioactive particles for the treatment of locally advanced bladder cancer were assessed. The patients were followed up for 9-42 months. The 3-y LRFS was significantly higher in the study group (88.9%) than in the control group (60.9%) (<i>p</i> = .003). The 3-y DMFS in the study group (71.1%) and the control group (73.2%) was statistically similar (<i>p</i> = .945). The 3-y DFS and OS were not statistically significant between the two groups (DFS: study group 64.4% <i>vs</i>. control group 51.2%, <i>p</i> = .073; OS: study group 66.7% <i>vs</i>. control group 58.5%, <i>p</i> = .180). Local shifting of the particles was detected in three patients at 1 week to 1 month after the operations in the study group, but no related complications were observed. Blood events (anemia, leukocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia), liver and renal dysfunction, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness were the major adverse reactions, which were alleviated after symptomatic treatments. The results have not statistically significant differences between the two groups in major adverse reactions. Compared to the NAC group, brachytherapy + NAC significantly prolongs the LRFS of patients with locally advanced urothelial bladder carcinoma who underwent RC + pelvic lymph node dissection. This surgery increases the LRFS, develops better personalized treatment plans, and improves treatment effectiveness. In addition, the treatment is safe and effective, with only limited adverse effects.