SYUDY ON THE COMBINATION THERAPY OF BLADDER CARCINOMA WITH BLEOMYCIN AND RADIATION

Abstract

Based on the theory proposed by Phillips that there is a potential effect between radiation and bleomycin (abbreviated: BLM), we have studied the carcinostatic effect on bladder carcinoma of BLM which is routinely used in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma and which is said to be effective in inhibiting the recovery of cancer cells from damage by radiation.
The patients were 51 to 81 years of age, 64 on the average, and comprised a series of 14 cases, 12 males, including six with fresh carcinomas (50.0%) and six with recurrent ones (50.0%) treated with other carcinostatics or by operation (TUR-Bt), and two females, both with fresh bladder carcinoma. The all cases were transitional cell carcinomas, graded I to IV. Following the therapeutic method planned by us, 60mg of BLM in 40 to 60ml of sterile distilled water was instilled into the bladder cavity, and the focus was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co to a focal dose of 100 to 150 rad 30 minutes later, and injected intramuscularly 2mg of BLM 30 minutes after the radiation; and this pattern of treatment was repeated once or three times a week, ten times in total. The combination therapy of BLM and radiation was effective in five cases (35.7%). These cases were grade I to III and fresh ones. Two tumors (18.9%) completely disappeared on this combination therapy. The side effect was only irritable bladder symptom. Pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary and hepatic dysfunctions and abnormal blood biochemical findings were not seen.
There are a variety of carcinostatic agents for treatment of bladder carcinoma, but BLM is only one having an inhibitory effect on the recovery of cancer cells from damage by radiation. It is the drug which should be classified into a special category for combined use with radiation.