Well this is a small study but sounds promising for Xeloda...
Researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, recently reported treatment results for 14 patients with bladder cancer treated with Xeloda and radiation therapy. Half of the patients were over the age of 80, and none of the patients were candidates for surgery or cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Nine patients had localized disease (cancer confined to the bladder) and five patients had advanced disease (cancer that has spread from the bladder to other sites in the body).
Treatment with Xeloda and radiation therapy resulted in a complete disappearance of detectable cancer in the majority of patients (11 out of 13). Of the 11 patients who had no detectable cancer after treatment, eight survived without cancer recurrence during the roughly 10 months of follow-up. The most common adverse effects of treatment were fatigue, diarrhea, and dehydration. Three patients had to be hospitalized because of adverse effects of treatment.
The researchers concluded that the combination of Xeloda and radiation therapy offers a promising treatment option for bladder cancer patients who, because of their advanced age or their health status, cannot tolerate surgery or cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Patients with bladder cancer may wish to speak with their physician regarding their individual risks and benefits of treatment with Xeloda chemotherapy or participation in a clinical trial further evaluating Xeloda or other promising therapeutic approaches. Two sources of information regarding ongoing clinical trials include the National Cancer Institute (
www.cancer.gov) and
www.cancerconsultants.com