Patterns of Referral to Radiation Oncology among Patients with Bladder Cancer: a Population-based Study

Abstract Aims Radical radiotherapy is a reasonable alternative to cystectomy for some patients with invasive bladder cancer, and postoperative radiotherapy may be indicated in patients at high risk of local recurrence. Here we describe pre- and postoperative radiation oncology consultation among patients with bladder cancer in Ontario. Materials and methods Records of radiotherapy and surgery were linked to the Ontario Cancer Registry (OCR) to identify all patients who received treatment with curative intent for bladder cancer between 1994 and 2008. Billing records were linked to the OCR to determine which patients were seen by radiation oncology before radical therapy or after cystectomy. Factors associated with radiation oncology consultation were explored by logistic regression. Results In total, 5259 patients with bladder cancer underwent treatment with curative intent in Ontario between 1994 and 2008. Of these, 3879 had primary cystectomy and 1380 had primary radiotherapy. Thirty-two per cent (1698/5259) of all patients were seen by radiation oncology. Independent factors associated with radiation oncology consultation included advanced age ( P