Combination of hyperthermia and cytostatics in the treatment of bladder cancer.

The intravenous administration of cytostatics in cases of locally extended carcinomas of the bladder seems to promise success. As concomitant disadvantage however we have to mention that the drugs in high concentrations needed for this treatment give rise to systemic toxic effects limiting the rational use of the drug. A further rise of cytostatic tissue concentration seems possible by performing a synchronous tumor injection of cytostatics and microspheres. An additional anticancer effect and the synergistic activation of cytostatic effectivity must be assumed by a following local transurethral high-frequency hyperthermia of the bladder. Our first urological experiences with this integrated therapy in six locoregional (T3-4N0M0) and six advanced metastasizing (T3-4N1M0-1) bladder cancers are presented consisting of a combined intraarterial cytostatic microspheres carcinoma infusion (CMCI) and scheduled adjunctive transurethral high-frequency hyperthermia (TUHH). In the case of locoregional tumor the aim was cancer destruction or debulking and in the case of metastasizing tumor palliation of local disease. Mechanisms of action, methodical procedures, indications, results as well as side effects of the intraarterial CMCI and TUHH treatment as developed by our department are presented and discussed.