Optimum fractionation for irradiation of carcinoma of the bladder. Experiments based on one case.

Abstract

A patient with multiple metastases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to the skin and subcutaneous tissues proved a model where most of the biologic and host-related factors were constant. The effects of varying the physical factors of radiation dose and time were observed. The results indicate that fractionated irradiation at intervals of 48 h was more effective than at intervals of 24 h and that superfractionation (intervals of 5 h) was not an effective method for the treatment of this tumor. The possible reasons for this effect and the implication for the treatment of bladder carcinoma are discussed.