[Follow-up of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy of advanced bladder cancer using magnetic resonance tomography. Initial results].

A combination of cis-platinum and radiotherapy was applied in five patients with advanced bladder carcinomas. The patients were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging prior to and following therapy. Corresponding to cell-kinetic considerations regarding tissues with slow cell turnover, a maximum therapy effect is shown about nine months after the end of local therapy. Smaller control intervals are recommended in case of bladder carcinomas with lymph node metastases. Due to the possibility of multiple slice imaging, the nuclear magnetic resonance technique is particularly suited for the monitoring of bladder carcinomas. Sagittal and coronary slices show a better image of tumoral extension at the roof and floor of the bladder than axial computed tomography. Lymph node metastases are represented relatively late by both methods.