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Adjuvant chemotherapy
Source: Bladder Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 2, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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Numerous trials have investigated whether giving chemotherapy after radical cystectomy can improve progression-free survival (PFS) and OS. Although several trials showed a PFS benefit from postoperative cisplatin-based chemotherapy, the trials tended to be small and underpowered, and no trial demonstrated a persuasive benefit in OS.
Evidence (adjuvant chemotherapy):
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated nine randomized controlled trials that enrolled 945 patients. A variety of different cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens were used.[23][Level of evidence A2]
Source links and citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated nine randomized controlled trials that enrolled 945 patients. A variety of different cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens were used.[23][Level of evidence A2]
This analysis reported a significant OS benefit for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.49–0.99).
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated nine randomized controlled trials that enrolled 945 patients. A variety of different cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens were used.[23][Level of evidence A2]
The disease-free survival (DFS) benefit was similar (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45–0.91).
Publication references
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice