Initial conservative treatment for grade 3 Ta-1 superficial bladder cancer

We retrospectively investigated the therapeutic outcomes of our series of 7 Ta and 62 T1 bladder cancers with grade 3 (G3) malignancy in 61 men and 8 women having a mean age of 66.2 years. Following transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), 35 and 6 patients received intravesical instillations of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and anthracycline-derivants, respectively, whereas 15 received no adjuvant therapy. Five and 2 patients received systemic and local chemotherapy with irradiation, respectively, and six underwent radical cystectomy for invasive potential. The 5-year nonrecurrence, progression-free, and overall (cancer-specific) survival rates were 66, 82%, and 76 (88%), respectively, after a median follow-up of 52 months. The 5-year non-recurrence rates were 24% in non-adjuvant, 85% in BCG, 0% in anthracycline-derivants, 65% in systemic and local chemoradiation therapy, and 68% in cystectomy. The 5-year progression-free and overall (cancer-specific) survival rates of the patients treated with BCG instillation were 91% and 94 (100)%. There were no significant differences in the 5-year non-recurrence and progression-free rates between 12 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) and 23 patients without CIS. Complete TUR of all visible tumors and a reliable histopathological diagnosis of appropriate specimens bearing the muscle layer are mandatory for assessment of recurrence. G3 Ta-1 bladder cancers and CIS showed a high risk of recurrence, and required aggressive treatment. Since BCG therapy following TURBT significantly reduced the risk of recurrence and progression, adjuvant BCG therapy is considered to be the most promising initial conservative treatment for G3 Ta-1 bladder cancers.     

Analysis of factors predicting intravesical recurrence of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder without concomitant carcinoma in situ

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors for intravesical recurrence in patients with superficial bladder cancer without concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS). METHODS: In this series, we analyzed data from patients with newly diagnosed superficial Ta or T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder without concomitant CIS who underwent complete transurethral resection (TUR) without any adjuvant intravesical instillation therapies. Multivariate analysis was used to determine significant risk factors affecting intravesical recurrence after TUR. Differences in clinicopathological features between primary and recurrent tumors were also characterized. RESULTS: Among 341 patients undergoing TUR of Ta or T1 bladder cancer, 187 diagnosed as having concomitant CIS and/or treated with adjuvant intravesical therapy were excluded, and the remaining 154 were evaluated. Intravesical recurrence was detected in 64 of the 154 patients, showing a 5-year recurrence-free survival rate of 58.3%. Among several factors examined, only tumor size was significantly associated with intravesical recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified tumor size as an independent predictor for intravesical recurrence irrespective of other parameters including age, gender, multiplicity, growth pattern, grade and stage. Recurrent tumors were significantly smaller and of a lower grade and lower stage than primary tumors, despite the absence of differences in growth pattern and the multiplicity between them. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that primary tumor size could be used as a potential risk factor for predicting intravesical recurrence following TUR of superficial TCC of the bladder without concomitant CIS, and that the pathological characteristics of recurrent tumors are more favorable than those of primary tumors.     

Survival rate of bladder tumors--an analysis of 2304 patients with bladder tumors in the Tokai Urological Cancer Registry

During the 7 years from 1980 to 1986, 2860 cases of bladder tumors were registered in the Tokai Urological Cancer Registry. Among the 2860 cases, 2304 cases were selected from the registered cases for the present study. The 5-year relative (actual) survival rates were 73.8% (61.9%) of all patients; 48.9% (42.4%) in those with malignant neoplasma of urinary bladder excluding transitional cell carcinoma; 48.8% (41/3%) in those with mixed tumor. In patients with transitional cell carcinoma, the 5-year relative (actual survival rates were 93.7% (78.8%) for G1, 87.2% (74.1%) for G2 and 47.3% (38.9%) for G3. As to staging, the 5-year survival rates were 101.9% (88.0%), 87.6% (75.3%), 57.9% (47.8%), 33.7% (28.2%) and 6.1% (5.0%) in patients with stage of Ta, T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The tumors with muscle infiltration and high grade malignancy obviously deteriorated patients' survival. The 5-year relative (actual) survival rate for patients treated with TUR was 98.1% (82.2%). As to grading, the 5-year survival rates were 102.2% (86.6%) for G1, 104.3% (88.3%) for G2 and 56.9% (48.3%) for G3. The 5-year survival rates of those with Ta, T1 and T2 were 103.9% (89.7%), 96.0% (82.6) and 61.1% (49.1%), respectively. The 5-year relative (actual) survival rate for patients undergoing total cystectomy was 62.4% (52.3%). In those patients, the 5-year survival rates were 96.7% (80.9%) for G1, 63.6% (55.7%) for G2 and 55.4% (47.1%) for G3. As to staging, the 5-year survival rates were 102.3% (90.6%), 77.8% (68.2%), 56.3% (47.9%), 41.8% (34.9%) and 15.2% (13.1%) in patients with stage of Ta, T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The 3 and 5-year relative (actual) survival rates in patients with advanced bladder tumors were 5.3% (4.8%) and 0.87% (0.73%), respectively.     

Clinical outcome of tumor recurrence for Ta, T1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer from the data on registered bladder cancer patients in Japan: 1999–2001 report from the Japanese Urological Association

Objective:   To characterize the clinical outcome in a large contemporary series of Japanese patients with newly diagnosed Ta, T1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who underwent transurethral bladder tumor resection with or without intravesical chemotherapy or Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy.
Methods:   We developed a database incorporating newly diagnosed non-muscle invasive bladder cancer data and outcomes from a Japanese bladder cancer registry between 1999 and 2001 and identified a study population of 3237 consecutive patients who had complete data based on pathological features. Median patient age was 69.9 years.
Results:   The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall recurrence-free survival rates were 77.0%, 61.3%, and 52.8%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, the multiplicity of bladder tumors, tumor size greater than 3 cm, pathological stage T1, tumor grade G3, and the absence of adjuvant intravesical instillation were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. Overall, 1710 patients (52.8%) received intravesical instillation; chemotherapy in 1314 (76.8%) and BCG treatment in 396 (23.2%). In patients treated with intravesical chemotherapy in which an anthracycline chemo-agent was used in 90.5% of the cases, multivariate analyses demonstrated that male gender, multiple bladder tumors, a tumor size greater than 3 cm, and pathological stage T1 were associated with tumor recurrence.
Conclusions:   The accumulation and analysis of data from the Japanese National Bladder Cancer Registry made it possible to determine the clinical characteristics, management trends, and survival rates for the period studied. Further study with a dataset created from longer follow-up data would be warranted to analyze tumor progression and disease survival.     

Therapy of superficial bladder carcinomas

Treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma was derived by several large randomized trials. This group of cancers is stratified by differentiation grade and stage in three groups of different risk profiles (Ta G1-2 vs. T1 G1-2 vs. Tis/T1 G3). Standard therapy is fractionated transurethral resection (TUR). Adjuvant therapy after transurethral resection is not indicated in primary Ta G1-2 tumors because there is a low recurrence rate and no risk of tumor progression. The recurrence rate can be decreased up to 15% in recurrent Ta or T1 G1-2 tumors by intravesical therapy with mitomycin C (20 mg/instillation) or adriamycin (50 mg/instillation). Therapy should be limited to early (within 24 h post-TUR) and short-term treatment (4 x weekly, 5 x monthly). Alternatively, patients can be treated by intravesical BCG (strain Connaught or strain RIVM). Maintenance therapy is advantageous according to recurrence rate. Tumors with great malignant ability (Tis or T1 G3) will be treated initially with adjuvant BCG. Patients who fail are candidates for radical cystectomy within 3-6 months after initial diagnosis. There is no need - except in clinical trials - for the administration of unverified or not admitted drugs. Copyright Copyright 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel     

二次TURBt联合膀胱灌注化疗及肿瘤细胞抗原负载的树突状细胞治疗非肌层浸润性膀胱癌的临床研究

目的 观察二次TURBt联合膀胱灌注化疗及肿瘤细胞抗原负载的树突状细胞(DC)治疗非肌层浸润性膀胱癌的安全性及疗效. 方法 T1期膀胱尿路上皮癌患者80例.男59例,女21例.年龄30～ 85岁,平均65岁.入组患者均在第一次TURBt术后4～6周行二次TURBt,术后常规膀胱灌注化疗.分为2组:DC组40例,对照组40例.DC组自外周血分离出单核细胞,体外诱导分化为DC,加入该患者的肿瘤抗原共培养,获取负载肿瘤细胞抗原的DC;在二次TURBt术后6～8周将肿瘤细胞抗原负载的DC回输,每周1次,共4次,每次腹股沟皮下注射细胞数不低于1×106个,每疗程回输细胞总数＞4×106个.观察DC组免疫指标改变及不良反应,比较2组患者肿瘤复发比例.结果 80例患者第一次TURBt病理分级G117例(21.3％)、G254例(67.5％)、G39例(11.2％);二次TURBt病理检查发现残存肿瘤27例,总阳性率33.7％;Ta期8例(29.6％)、T1期19例(70.4％);G13例(11.1％)、G2 19例(70.4％)、G3 5例(18.5％).二次TURBt时Ta期8例中分级同第一次TURBt 6例,分级升高2例;T1期19例中分级同第一次TURBt 12例,分级升高5例,降级2例.单发16例,均位于原电切处;多发11例,其中原电切处可见菜花样肿瘤7例.DC回输治疗时出现寒战、发热5例,给予地塞米松10 mg静脉推注治疗后缓解.治疗前、治疗后1年及2年患者血中白细胞、SCr、ALT值比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).与治疗前比较,治疗后1年及2年CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8等指标比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),而治疗后1年后及2年各指标比较差异无统计学意义.DC组1年内复发1例(2％),2年内复发3例(6％);对照组中1年内复发6例(20％);2年内复发9例(30％),2组复发率比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 二次TURBt联合膀胱灌注及肿瘤细胞抗原负载的DC回输治疗是降低非肌层浸润性膀胱癌复发率较有效的方法.     

Treatment of 255 patients with bladder tumors

During about 10 years from November, 1977 to March, 1987, two hundreds and fifty-five patients with bladder tumors were treated at the Department of Urology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine and the affiliated hospitals. There were 198 males and 57 females with the highest age incidence in the seventies. Histologically, 242, 11 and 2 tumors were of transitional cell, squamous cell and adenocarcinoma, respectively. Of the 242 transitional cell carcinomas, 7 were Tis; 43 Ta, 111 T1, 33 T2, 19 T3, 5 T4, 14 M+ (with metastatic lesion), and 10 TX. As to grading, 6 was G0; 66 G1, 100 G2, 64 G3, and 6 GX. Staging was correlated with grading. The 5-year survival rates (Kaplan-Meier's method) were 64% in patients with transitional cell carcinoma; 58% in those with squamous cell carcinoma. In patients with transitional cell carcinoma, the 5-year survival rates were 100% for G0, 73% for G1, 73% for G2 and 40% for G3. As to staging, the 5-year survival rates were 67%, 81%, 81%, 35%, 41%, 40% and 12% in patients with stage of Tis, Ta, T1, T2, T3, T4 and M+, respectively. As to the initial treatment, the 5-year survival rates after TUR (137 cases), partial cystectomy (4 cases) and total cystectomy (56 cases) were 81%, 36% and 61%, respectively. The rate of intravesical recurrence after TUR was evaluated with the cumulative non-recurrence rate calculated by Kaplan-Meier's method.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A randomized study of pirarubicin (THP) versus adriamycin (ADM) for intravesical instillation therapy against superficial bladder cancer]

To determine the antitumor action by intravesical instillation prior to transurethral resection TUR, a randomized study on pirarubicin (THP) versus adriamycin (ADM) was performed for superficial, papillary and initially detected bladder cancers with participation of 21 Urological Clinics in 3 Tokai Prefectures. The instillation dose of 500 micrograms/ml was given 3 times per week for 3 weeks in both THP (n = 33) and ADM (n = 30) groups. The complete and partial response rates were 56.3% in THP group and 26.7% in ADM group. THP instillation was more effective against multiple tumors than a single tumor, stage Ta than T1 and grade G1 than G2 and G3. However, these findings were not statistically significant. Untoward effects were mainly bladder irritability and its frequency was 60.6% in the THP group and 23.3% in the ADM group. Contracted bladder was found in 2 of the 33 patients in the THP group and 2 of the 30 patients in the ADM group. The antitumor effect of a half dose of THP was equivalent to that of one dose of ADM, and the THP group showed a twofold higher frequency of side effects. Therefore, a clinical trial should be made comparing the effect of 500 micrograms/ml of THP and that of 1,000 micrograms/ml of ADM.     

非肌层浸润性膀胱癌合并良性前列腺增生患者同期行经尿道电切手术的疗效和安全性分析

目的 探讨合并BPH的非肌层浸润性膀胱癌患者同期行经尿道电切(TUR)手术的疗效和安全性.方法 合并BPH的非肌层浸润性膀胱癌患者46例(A组)同期行TURBt和TURP治疗,非肌层浸润性膀胱癌仅行TURBt的男性患者69例(B组)作为对照组.A组年龄54～80岁,平均69岁;肿瘤单发37例、多发9例,肿瘤直径0.5 ～3.5 cm,平均2.8 cm.B组55～82岁,平均70岁;肿瘤单发54例、多发15例;肿瘤直径0.5～24.0 cm,平均2.9 cm;2组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结果 2组均顺利完成手术.随访24 - 96个月,平均44个月.2组复发率分别为50.0％( 23/46)、50.7％ (35/69),首次无复发间期分别为20、18个月,肿瘤进展率分别为6.5％、7.2％,2组差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).A组术后发生前列腺窝内膀胱癌复发2例、B组l例,均为T1G3肿瘤.结论 同期行TUR手术治疗浅表性、低级别膀胱肿瘤合并BPH患者安全可行,但对于T1G3患者应慎重.     

二次电切治疗单发广基型T1G3期膀胱尿路上皮癌临床分析

目的探讨经尿道膀胱肿瘤二次电切术（二次电切）治疗单发广基型T1G3期膀胱尿路上皮癌的临床疗效。方法分析我院收集并随机分组的46例T1G3期膀胱尿路上皮癌患者资料。其中21例作为实验组于首次电切后4～6周行二次电切,明确有无肿瘤残留及确切的临床分期。与未接受二次电切患者（对照组）进行复发率、疾病进展率及无复发生存率的比较。结果两组患者性别、年龄、随访时间、肿瘤体积等的差异均无统计学意义（均为P〉0．05）．21例行二次电切的患者中,术后病理证实有肿瘤残余8例（38．1％）,3例（14．3％）临床分期升高。术后平均随访时间（34±6．2）个月,对照组1年、3年、总复发率分别是：54．55％（12／17）、88．89％（16／18）、68％（17／25）;疾病进展率：70．59％（12／17）;实验组1年、3年、总复发率分别是：15．79％（3／19）、42．86％（6／14）、38．10％（8／21）;疾病进展率：37．5％（3／8）。二组相比,1年、3年、总复发率（Х^2=6．60,P〈O．05;P〈0．01;Х^2=4．11,P〈0．05）;疾病进展率（P=0．026）、无复发生存率（Х^2=7．28,P〈0．05）比较,差异均有统计学意义。结论二次电切可以降低T1G3期膀胱尿路上皮癌肿瘤残留率,并可以减少肿瘤的复发率、疾病进展率及改善无复发生存率。     

TUR and adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy in T1G3 bladder tumors: recurrence, progression and survival in 137 selected patients followed up to 20 years

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a highly selected population of patients affected by T1G3 bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCCB) treated by transurethral resection (TUR) and adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1976 and April 1999, 137 patients with T1G3 TCCB were treated by TUR plus intravesical chemotherapy. Particularly, a sequential combination of mitomycin C (MMC) and epirubicin (EPI) was adopted in 91 patients (66.4%). The main exclusion criteria were concomitant or previous Tis, previous T1G3 TCCB, tumor size greater than 3 centimeters and number of tumors more than 3. TUR was repeated if a superficial tumor recurred. Patients went off study if Tis, recurrent T1G3 or invasive tumor were detected during treatment or thereafter. Adjuvant therapy, recurrence and progression were considered in multivariate analysis regarding recurrence, progression and survival respectively. RESULTS: Observation period was up to 240 months with a minimum of 2 years in 112 patients (82%). Seventy patients (51%) recurred. The recurring tumor was again a T1G3 in 22 (16%) patients. Thirteen patients (9.5%) progressed. The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 90%. Median progression-free survival was 149 months. Twenty-two patients (16%) died, 9 (6.6%) of whom due to bladder cancer. Median overall survival was 155 months. The 3- and 5-year disease-free overall survival rates were 89% and 80% respectively. Ten cystectomies (7.3%) were performed. In conclusion, 123 patients (90%) maintained their intact bladder with a mean disease-free overall survival of 104 months. The sequential combination of MMC and EPI adjuvant therapy resulted more effective to be than single drug chemotherapy on recurrence rate (p=0.0021) but had no impact upon progression (p=0.127) and specific survival (p=0.163). Progression (p<0.001) after conservative treatment was the main prognostic factor for survival. CONCLUSION: A conservative approach is an appropriate therapeutic option for the initial management of selected T1G3 bladder tumors.     

Clinical study of grade 3, superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment of grade 3 superficial (stage pTa and pT 1) transitional cell carcinoma (T.C.C.) of the urinary bladder, retrospective analysis was performed with special reference to tumor prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1971 to september 1995, 51 cases with grade 3 superficial T.C.C. of the urinary bladder were treated. The survival rates and prognostic factors of these patient were analyzed. RESULTS: Five year survival rate of grade 3, superficial tumors was 92.3% and showed significantly better prognosis compared to patients with pT 2 and pT 3 tumors of grade 3 (p < 0.001). As a initial treatments, transurethral resection (TUR) was conducted in 45 patients (88%). Intravesical recurrence was observed in 20 of 45 patients (44%) and 12 of 20 patients (60%) were recurred within 1 year. Non-recurrent rates of the patients treated with TUR were 69.6% at 1 year, 58.8% at 3 year, 49.7% at 5 year, respectively. No significant differences were noted regarding factors of tumor size, figures and a number of tumor. Of the 51 patients, 10 (19.6%) progressed beyond stage T 2 and 6 died with the disease. Survival rates at 10 years follow up in patients with non-papillary and papillary tumor were 57.1% and 97.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that TUR should be performed as a initial treatment for the patients with grade 3 superficial T.C.C. of the urinary bladder. However, non-papillary tumors should be considered of more intensive treatment like as radical cystectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy or irradiation.     

Results of treatment of superficial vesical tumors by transurethral resection alone and transurethral resection followed by an intravesical instillation of Calmette-Guerin bacillus

Superficial bladder tumors treated at the Henri Mondor Hospital from 1984 through 1988 were analyzed for recurrence and progression using the following prognostic parameters: stage (TNM classification, 1978), grade (G1, G2, G3), size, number of tumors, and tumor malignancy index as defined by the Besan?on group. Forty-five patients were treated with transurethral resection alone (TUR group) whereas 30 had TUR followed by the prophylactic instillation of fresh Calmette-Guérin bacillus in the bladder (BCG group). In TUR patients, parameters predictive of progression included grade G3, multiple tumors, stage T1, recurrence within 6 months of TUR, and a tumor malignancy index above 455. None of these criteria were predictive of a response to BCG. Results obtained in the BCG group were comparable to those reported in the literature and confirmed the efficacy of BCG instillations to prevent recurrence and progression of superficial carcinomas of the bladder.     

Recent progress and problems in bladder-sparing operations in bladder tumors

Retrospective analysis of the bladder tumor patients was performed to reveal the clinical results of partial cystectomy or transurethral resection (TUR). The observed 3-, 5-, 10-year survival rates after 143 partial cystectomies indicated for the first tumors were 66.2%, 57.1% and 41.5% respectively. To obtain satisfactory results, however, the operation should be indicated for pT2 or G0-G1. Some of the G2 tumors could also be the candidates for this procedure, but the stage of the disease must be below T2. At present, all these tumors could be well controlled by TUR, and this statement was confirmed by the study of clinical results obtained by TUR. The analysis also revealed a poor outcome in 6% of the low grade or low stage tumors and it increased to 25% in high grade and pT2. The complete cure of the high stage or high grade tumor is still difficult, but to improve the survival rate, radical surgery should be employed more positively instead of partial cystectomy. The reasons for this conclusion are also discussed.     

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin instillation therapy in superficial bladder cancers--clinical study on prognostic factors

Intravesical instillation of Tokyo 172 strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was performed on 137 patients with superficial bladder cancer (Ta and T1) after transurethral tumor resection as a prophylaxis against tumor recurrence. The recurrence rate of tumors was compared with that of historical controls and was estimated by the person-years method. There were statistically significant decreases in recurrent tumors following BCG therapy. To clarify the efficacy of intravesical BCG therapy, prognostic significance of several factors were evaluated in 90 patients with initial bladder cancer treated with TUR and BCG instillation, and compared to those of controls. Prophylactic effects were statistically better for those with multiple tumors, grade 3 lesions or Ta lesions than for control patients. No correlation between purified protein derivative responsiveness and favorable results could detected. There were no marked side effects or fatal complications of BCG therapy during the observation periods. Our results suggest that BCG is able to change the biological behavior of superficial bladder cancers with multiple, high grade or low stage lesions. The intravesical BCG instillation seems to be effective and safe as a prophylaxis against the recurrence of superficial bladder tumors.     

Intravesical instillation of epirubicin in the prophylactic treatment of recurrent superficial bladder cancer

A retrospective study was performed to determine the efficacy of intravesical instillation of epirubicin in the prophylactic treatment for recurrent superficial bladder cancer when compared with no treatment controls. Seventeen patients with recurrent superficial bladder cancer received epirubicin (30 mg/40 ml in normal saline) seventeen times after transurethral resection (TUR). Historical controls consist of sixteen patients with recurrent superficial bladder cancer who received no adjuvant treatment after TUR. In the epirubicin group, 1-, 2- and 3-year recurrence free rates were 64.7%, 41.2% and 5.9%, respectively. In controls all of them recurred and 1- and 2-year recurrence free rates were 17.6% and 0%, respectively. The recurrence-free rate was significantly higher in the epirubicin group than in the controls (p < 0.05). We investigated whether intravesical instillation of epirubicin prolonged recurrence-free intervals when compared with recurrence-free intervals without adjuvant treatment after TUR in each patient. The 1- and 2-year recurrence free rates after initial TUR were 25% and 12.5%, respectively, and those with epirubicin treatment after TUR were 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. Recurrence-free intervals were significantly prolonged by intravesical instillation of epirubicin as compared with those without adjuvant treatment in each patient. This study demonstrated the efficacy of intravesical instillation of epirubicin in the prophylactic treatment for superficial recurrent bladder cancer.     

Is a second transurethral resection necessary for newly diagnosed pT1 bladder cancer?

PURPOSE: We evaluated the potential benefit of a second transurethral resection in patients with newly diagnosed pT1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and May 2003, 80 patients with stage T1 bladder cancer were included in this protocol in which all patients prospectively received second TUR within 2 to 6 weeks following the initial resection. Patients with incomplete resections were excluded from study. The pathological findings of the second TUR were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients who underwent second resection, 18 (22.5%) had macroscopic tumors before resection. However, with the addition of microscopic tumors, overall residual disease was determined in 27 (33.8%) patients. Of the 27 patients 7 had pTa, 14 had pT1, 3 had pT1+pTis and 3 had pT2 disease. Residual cancers were detected in 5.8%, 38.2% and 62.5% in G1, G2 and G3 tumors, respectively. The risk of residual tumor directly correlated with the grade of the initial tumor (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Although second TUR dramatically changed the treatment strategy in a small percentage of cases, we strongly recommend performing second TUR in all cases of primary pT1 disease, especially in high grade cases.     

Significance of random bladder biopsies in superficial bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES: We investigated to what extent biopsies of normal-appearing urothelium taken from patients with superficial bladder cancer (Ta, T1, Tis) showed malignant disease and whether those findings had impact on therapeutical decisions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 1033 consecutive patients presenting with Ta, T1 or Tis (carcinoma in situ) superficial bladder tumors at increased risk for recurrence underwent multiple random biopsies from normal-appearing urothelium during transurethral resection (TUR). Patients with small, primary, singular tumors (smaller or equal to 1cm) were excluded from random biopsies. RESULTS: No tumor was found in the random biopsies of 905 patients (87.6%). 128 patients (12.4%) showed urothelial bladder cancer in their random biopsies (Tis: 74, Ta: 41, T1: 12, T2: 1). In 14 patients, where transurethral resection of the primary tumor revealed no signs of malignancy, urothelial bladder cancer was detected in the random biopsy material: Ta 8 patients, Tis 5 patients and T1 one patient. 21 patients with Ta tumors and 29 patients with T1 disease showed concomitant Tis. Upstaging of the primary, resected tumor by histological examination of the random biopsy material occurred in 75 patients (7%). Altogether, due to the random biopsy results therapy was altered in 70 patients (6.8%) of our series: It changed intravesical chemotherapy to BCG in 45, provoked a second TUR in 48 and cystectomy in 15 patients. CONCLUSIONS: While the clinical significance of random biopsies is still controversial, random biopsy results had strong impact on therapeutical decisions in our series. Regarding random bladder biopsies a simple tool for the urologist to identify high risk groups of patients, we recommend them as part of the routine management of superficial bladder cancer.     

Management and prognosis of transitional cell carcinoma superficial recurrence in muscle-invasive bladder cancer after bladder preservation

PURPOSE: To assess the bladder preservation rate and cancer-specific survival after conservative treatment of superficial relapses in invasive tumors after bladder preservation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with invasive bladder tumor (T2) were treated using transurethral resection (TUR) followed by three cycles of systemic chemotherapy (carboplatin-vinblastine). After three weeks, an endoscopic reappraisal was made including deep TUR of the site of the original tumor and multiple cold cup biopsies. Forty-two patients retained their bladder (33 complete responses and 9 partial responses). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 63 months, 18 patients recurred as superficial TCC tumor (43%). Fourteen patients with high grade superficial recurrence were treated with TUR and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillations; two patients (G2-3 T1) with TUR as well as endovesical mytomicine, and two patients with low grade recurrence with only TUR. With a median follow-up of 44 months after TUR of first superficial relapse, there was only one case with progression of the disease without any evidence of bladder tumor. Two cystectomies were made due to carcinoma in situ (Cis) persistence and high grade superficial recurrence. Eighty-three percent of the patients who had superficial recurrence retained their bladders, with 94% cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: A very strict follow-up is mandatory due to the high rate of superficial relapses (43%). Cis is the most frequent type of superficial recurrence. Superficial recurrences in bladder preservation may be treated with TUR and BCG instillations when they are high grade and and/or associated with Cis. Superficial recurrences do not imply a worse prognosis for bladder preservation or cancer-specific survival.     

Recurrence and progression in stage T1G3 bladder tumour with intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin (Danish 1331 strain)

OBJECTIVE: To report recurrence and progression rates in patients with T1G3 superficial bladder carcinoma treated with intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG, Danish 1331 strain) after complete transurethral resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from the records of 111 patients with T1G3 bladder carcinoma treated between January 1991 and December 1999 were analysed for recurrence, progression, salvage therapy and survival. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients with T1G3 bladder tumours, 69 had intravesical BCG therapy, 20 radical cystectomy and 22 only transurethral resection (TUR). Of the 69 patients receiving BCG therapy 37 (54%) had no recurrence, and 24 (35%) had a recurrence that was not muscle-invasive (Ta/T1) and were treated with TUR only. The remaining eight (12%) progressed to muscle invasion and had salvage cystectomy. During the follow-up six patients died, four from disease and three from other causes, while the remaining 63 are alive and well. Of the other 42 patients, 15 are alive after radical cystectomy and 18 after TUR. CONCLUSION: This series further confirms the benefits of intravesical BCG (Danish 1331) in an adjuvant setting; furthermore, this treatment facilitates bladder preservation by reducing recurrences and delaying the progression in many patients.