Retrospective study of locally advanced bladder cancer in elderly patients

18523 Background: Bladder cancer is one of the most frequent tumors in elderly patients (pts). However, guidelines have not been established yet in this age group. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively pts aged 75 years or more, with muscle invasive or metastatic bladder cancer treated between January 2000 and June 2005, in three institutions in Lyon-France: Léon Bérard Center, Saint Luc Saint Joseph Hospital and Protestant Infirmary. Results: Data from 126 pts (81% male) were available: median age was 80 years (75–94). 99 pts had disease confined to the bladder, 19 confirmed metastatic cancer and 8 at least T2aM0 disease. 42% of pts had a history of superficial bladder cancer; 96% an urothelial carcinoma, 19% an associated in situ carcinoma. Of note, 33% of male pts had a concomitant prostate cancer. Median Performance Status, American Society of Anesthesia score and Charlson Comorbidity index were 1, 2 and 2.14 respectively. Cardiovascular comorbidities were the most common (42.8%). 87% of pts were taking medications; median number of drug intake was 4. We focused on pts with muscle invasive, non metastatic bladder cancer: 55 of 99 pts underwent surgery; 48 of them had external urinary diversion. Postoperative complications occurred in 34% of pts: evisceration (15%), sepsis, hemorrhage, acute cardiac failure, acute renal failure, pulmonary embolism (3.7% each), bowel obstruction and acute arterial thrombosis of lower limbs (1.8% each), and 2 immediate postoperative deaths. 16 pts received radiotherapy with a curative intent, 6 of them had chemoradiation. Mean irradiation dose and duration were respectively 56.4 Gy and 6.5 weeks. Toxicity occurred in 5 pts: 2 discontinuations for intolerance, 1 acute cardiac failure, 1 grade 3 thrombopenia, and 1 toxic death (intestinal perforation). The last 28 pts received palliative care. After a median follow up of 14 months, 33 operated pts and 3 pts treated by radiotherapy were still alive in complete remission. Disease free survival and median survival were 11.5 and 42 months in the surgical group respectively and 12 and 12 months in the radiotherapy group respectively. Conclusions: Treatment of locally advanced bladder cancer in the elderly carries significant morbidity and mortality. Oncogeriatric assessment benefit for individual management must be studied. No significant financial relationships to disclose.