A large amount of distilled water ineffective for prevention of bladder cancer cell implantation at the time of transurethral resection

A previous study indicated that distilled water could prevent bladder tumor cell implantation in an in vitro assay. We investigated whether a large amount of distilled water irrigation prevented recurrence of superficial bladder cancer in the clinical setting and then we estimated whether cancer cell implantation at the time of transurethral resection is a major mechanism of recurrence. Between May 2000 and January 2002, 22 patients with primary, superficial bladder carcinoma who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) were enrolled in this study. The patients underwent bladder washout with 1,000 ml distilled water immediately after TURBT, and then intravesical irrigation with 3,000 ml water for three hours. Control patients were randomly chosen from those who previously underwent TURBT in our hospital and had similar prognostic factors. The 1- and 2-year recurrence-free rates in the patients undergoing distilled water irrigation were both 45% and those in the control patients were 65% and 45%, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. This result indicates that distilled water was ineffective in preventing recurrence of superficial bladder tumor.     

Recurrence pattern for superficial bladder cancer

AIM: Patients with superficial bladder tumors sometimes have long recurrence-free intervals. We evaluated whether patients with long recurrence-free periods had subsequent recurrences. We also clarified how these patients should be followed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 244 patients with superficial bladder cancer (62 pTa and 182 pT1) treated by transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and adjuvant chemotherapy with pirarubicin. Median follow up was 75.5 months. Patients were stratified by the length of their recurrence-free interval. RESULTS: Recurrences occurred in 124 patients (50.8%). Of 185 patients who did not have a recurrence for the first 3 years, subsequent recurrences occurred in 65 patients; in more than half the first recurrence developed after 5 years or more. Ta tumors had a low recurrence rate (14.5%) with the first recurrence often developing after a long recurrence-free period. Of 40 patients who remained recurrence-free for 3 years or more after at least one recurrence occurred, 16 patients (40%) had subsequent recurrences. Furthermore, most of these patients who remained free of recurrence for more than 5 years eventually had a recurrence. The overall progression rate was 15.6%, and this did not relate to the length of the recurrence-free interval. CONCLUSION: When patients did not have a recurrence for the first 3 years, tumors subsequently often recurred, even in pTa tumors. In patients with at least once recurrence, subsequent recurrences appear to occur irrespective of the length of the recurrence-free period. Thus, we recommend that all patients with superficial bladder tumors be followed for as long as possible.     

Results of Transurethral Resection Plus Adjuvant Intravesical Chemotherapy for Superficial Bladder Cancer

Background : We analyzed the results of conservative therapy for superficial bladder cancer to determine the risk factors for recurrence and progression.
Methods : Between May 1984 and February 1997, 111 patients with primary superficial bladder cancer were treated by a transurethral resection with or without intravesical instillation of chemotherapy, or for patients with concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS), bacillus Calmette-Guerin. We examined the relationship between tumor stage, grade, incidence of concomitant CIS and recurrence-free survival according to pathologic findings and the drugs instilled.
Results : The incidence of concomitant CIS in pTI, grade 3 tumors was significantly higher than that in pTa, grade 1 tumors (42% vs. 3%, P= 0.006). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate of all patients was 73%. There was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival and pathologic stage, tumor grade, presence of concomitant CIS, or drugs used for instillation. However, the recurrence-free survival in patients with 5 tumors was significantly lower than in patients with less than 5 tumors. Of the 111 patients, only 3 patients demonstrated disease progression and underwent a radical cystectomy, while 1 patient with a pTI b, grade 3 tumor developed a tumor in the ureter. No patient died of bladder cancer.
Conclusion : Our results indicate that the prognosis of superficial bladder cancer patients with a high-stage, high-grade (pTI, grade 3) tumor is favorable when treated by a transurethral resection and intravesical instillation. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy is useful to prevent the recurrence of tumors with concomitant CIS.     

Superficial bladder cancer with lung metastasis without local invasion: a case report

A 66-year-old woman presented with a coin-size lesion in the right lung. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology showed class V. Thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy of right upper lobe was performed and pathologic finding was metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). She had a history of superficial bladder tumors which were treated with transurethral resection (TURBT). All pathologic findings demonstrated low grade superficial TCC. After the pneumonectomy, recurrent tumors were detected in the bladder after three months' follow up. Intravesical instillations and TURBT were performed and the pathologic finding showed superficial TCC. There have been no signs of recurrence during the six-year follow up. The case reported here is of superficial cancer with a metastatic lesion in the lung without local invasion in the urinary bladder.     

Novel prophylactic effect of doxifluridine in superficial bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES: The prophylactic effect of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) has not been fully studied in superficial bladder cancer. The aims of this work were to investigate the prophylactic effects of 5'-DFUR in terms of tumor recurrence after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and to study whether thymidine phosphorylase (TdRPase) immunostaining predicts tumor recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 112 patients with pTa or pT1 bladder cancer were eligible for the analysis and were allocated to either an adjuvant group (TURBT+5'-DFUR; n = 47; initial 23 months) or a control group (TURBT alone; n = 65, final 23 months). Tumor specimens were studied immunohistochemically using anti-TdRPase antibody. RESULTS: Tumor recurrence was observed in 54 of the patients (48%) after a median follow-up period of 26.8 months. No significant clinico-pathologic bias was observed between the two groups. Although patients in the adjuvant group had a significantly higher recurrence-free survival rate than those in the control group when considering 78 patients with pathological T1 tumors (p = 0.0272) and 65 patients who did not recur within 12 months (p = 0.001), overall there was no significant difference between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that 5'-DFUR administration was the strongest predictor of late tumor recurrence, which was defined as development of recurrence 12 months after TURBT (hazard ratio 5.744; 95% CI 1.495-30.45; p = 0.0094). Immunostaining did not predict prophylactic effects of 5'-DFUR. Mild, reversible toxicity was found in 9/58 (15.5%) of the cases evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of 5'-DFUR after TURBT did not prevent tumor recurrence in the overall cohort, although this novel drug may have a prophylactic effect in patients belonging to several subgroups.     

Evaluation of an unconventional treatment modality with mistletoe lectin to prevent recurrence of superficial bladder cancer: a randomized phase II trial

PURPOSE: The indication for topic chemotherapy or immunotherapy for well differentiated, noninvasive superficial bladder cancer remains controversial. Side effects of these treatments promoted use of unconventional therapies with cytokines, immunomodulators and mistletoe extracts. However, there are no controlled clinical data available on the efficacy of these extracts for bladder cancer. We evaluate the influence of subcutaneously applicated mistletoe lectin on bladder tumor recurrence after transurethral resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consists of 45 patients with pTa G1-2 bladder cancer treated with transurethral resection during a 3-year period. Median patient age was 65 years and 33 patients were male. The study cohort was randomly divided into a treatment group receiving adjuvant therapy with mistletoe lectin and a control group receiving no additional treatment. Patients in the treatment group received mistletoe lectin according to schedule 2 weeks after transurethral resection. Clinical followup was assessed 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after the initial resection, and included uretherocystoscopy. RESULTS: Both study arms comprised similar patients with regard to total number of previous tumors (mean 2.6 versus 2.9), number of primary lesions (14 versus 12) and number of recurrent tumors (8 versus 11). After followup of 18 months the recurrence-free interval in both study arms was similar (p = 0.76) and the total number of recurrences comparable (p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous use of mistletoe lectin as adjuvant treatment after transurethral resection does not seem to affect the time to first recurrence, total number of recurrences or recurrence-free outcome.     

浅表性膀胱癌PD-ECGF mRNA表达的意义

目的　探讨浅表性膀胱癌中血小板衍化内皮细胞生长因子 (PD ECGF)mRNA表达的意义。方法　用逆转录多聚酶链反应 (RT PCR)分析了 2 8例浅表性膀胱癌和 6例正常膀胱粘膜的PD ECGFmRNA表达 ,并分析了PD ECGFmRNA表达与浅表性膀胱癌的固有层浸润及复发之间的关系。结果　所有标本均见不同程度的PD ECGFmRNA表达 ,粘膜固有层浸润的pT1期膀胱癌的PD ECGFmRNA表达是正常膀胱粘膜的 3 1倍 (t=2 13,P <0 0 5 ) ,是乳头状非浸润性膀胱癌 (pTa期 )的 2 2倍 (t=2 6 6 ,P <0 0 5 ) ;G3 级膀胱癌中PD ECGFmRNA表达是正常膀胱粘膜的 3 3倍(t=2 4 4 ,P <0 0 5 ) ,是G1 2 级膀胱癌的 2 5倍 (t=3 36 ,P <0 0 1)。全部病例获得随访 ,平均随访18个月 ,共复发 11例 ,复发者膀胱癌的PD ECGFmRNA水平是未复发者的 3倍 (t=4 4 9,P <0 0 1) ,用PD ECGFmRNA水平预测本组膀胱癌复发的敏感性为 81 8% ,特异性为 82 4 %。结论　PD ECGFmRNA表达不仅与浅表性膀胱癌的分化程度有关 ,而且在膀胱癌的早期浸润中起着重要作用 ,测定PD ECGFmRNA表达对判断浅表性膀胱癌的分化程度、固有层浸润与复发有一定意义。     

Continuous intravesical instillation of epirubicin immediately after transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer: a prospective controlled study

Between November 1994 and July 1996, 45 patients with superficial bladder tumor were assigned to two groups before transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Twenty-one of the 45 patients were instilled with 20 mg epirubicin before endoscopic resection then continuously irrigated with 40 micrograms/ml epirubicin solution for 20 hours immediately after surgery; 24 of the 45 patients received continuous irrigation with saline in the same manner. The patients were assessed by cystoscopy and urinary cytology every 3 months during the first 2 years and every 6 months thereafter. One year recurrence-free rates in the treated and control groups were 56% and 32%, respectively. The recurrence-free period tended to be longer in the treated group than in the control group, although the difference was not significant (p = 0.17). One year recurrence-free rates in the treated and control groups for the patients with solitary tumor were 88% and 48%, respectively, the difference being marginally significant (p = 0.06). These results suggested that continuous bladder irrigation with epirubicin was effective for patients with a single tumor. Therefore, the long-term prophylactic therapy for a single tumor was an overtreatment. Prophylactic intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer was proposed to be stratified by the number of tumors, single or multiple.     

经尿道绿激光汽化和经尿道电切治疗表浅性膀胱肿瘤疗效的对比观察

目的比较经尿道绿激光汽化与经尿道电切治疗表浅性膀胱肿瘤的疗效及安全性。方法随机选取35例（实验组）膀胱肿瘤患者行经尿道绿激光汽化术,另32例（对照组）行经尿道电切术,观察两组术中、术后并发症及复发情况。结果两组平均手术时间、保留导尿管时间、术后肿瘤复发率差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,实验组术中出血量及术后膀胱冲洗时间明显少于对照组（P〈0．05）。同时膀胱穿孔和闭孔神经反射仅在对照组中发生。结论选择性绿激光汽化术是治疗膀胱肿瘤安全有效的方法,具有创伤小、出血少、恢复快及并发症发生率低等特点,尤其适用于侧壁表浅性膀胱肿瘤。     

经尿道1.9μm激光切除术与经尿道电切术治疗浅表性膀胱癌的疗效及安全性比较

目的 比较经尿道1.9 μm激光切除术与经尿道电切术治疗浅表性膀胱癌的疗效与安全性.方法 对北京协和医院泌尿外科2013年1月-2015年12月收治的53例浅表性膀胱癌患者,分别采用经尿道1.9 μm激光切除术(n=25)和经尿道电切术(n=28)治疗.比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、术后留置尿管时间、术后住院时间以及并发症发病率和肿瘤复发情况.结果 1.9 μm激光切除术组患者术中出血量为[(21.6±4.6) min]、术后留置尿管时间为[(22.4±6.4)h]、术后住院时间为[(2.2 ±0.7)d]、术后并发症发病率(12％)及术后复发率(16％)均低于经尿道电切术组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 经尿道1.9 μm激光切除术治疗浅表性膀胱癌具有安全、有效、并发症少、复发率低等特点,值得临床推广.     

Transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) for non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer: Basic skills

Transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) is the standard surgical procedure for non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer. We believe that all urologists should be trained in this procedure. This DVD provides an overview of TURBT with particular focus on basic skills, including basic surgical techniques such as the obturator nerve block. Important basic surgical skills required for complete TURBT in non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer are: (i) resection of all visible tumors; (ii) resection of apparently normal mucosa on the border of the tumor; (iii) resection of the muscle layer at the base of the tumor until normal muscle fibers are visible; (iv) in applicable cases, random biopsy of apparently normal urothelium of the bladder wall and transurethral resection (TUR) biopsy of both sides of the prostatic urethra; and (v) when possible, after these procedures are completed, a different operating surgeon should inspect the bladder lumen to confirm that there are no remaining tumors. In particular, sampling resection should be implemented in apparently normal mucosa for approximately 1 cm around the tumor, and at the base of the tumor down to the superficial muscle layer. Resected specimens should be examined histopathologically in order to confirm the absence of malignant findings. Fundamental procedures for TURBT include both one‐stage and two‐stage resection. One‐stage resection is used for relatively small tumors and involves a single procedure with simultaneous resection of both the tumor and the tissue at the tumor base down to the superficial muscle layer. In the two‐stage resection, the first resection exposes the lower level of the mucosa and the second resection removes that lower mucosal layer in order to sample the superficial muscle layer for cancer staging. At the start of the resection, the loop is electrified before it makes contact with the mucosa. Delicate movements of the sheath should be used, along with delicate movement of the loop itself to adjust the depth of resection. The illustration of surgical techniques shows not only the basic techniques but also some points for caution during the resection. For actual resection, it is important to fully understand the properties of the tumor and to combine these techniques appropriately for each individual resection procedure. When resecting multiple tumors, the same basic resection techniques used for single tumors should be applied, and repeated as necessary. (This is a translated section of a video article originally published in Japanese as a DVD in the Audio‐Visual Journal Vol.14 No.1. 2008 by The Japanese Urological Association.)     

CD44 standard form expression as a predictor of progression in high risk superficial bladder tumors

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the significance of the standard CD44 adhesion molecule expression in predicting progression of high risk superficial bladder carcinoma in the short term.Methods: Sixty-six patients (51 males and 15 females, aged 27 to 89 years (mean 64.75 years) with primary superficial transitional cell bladder cancer initially treated with transurethral resection (TURBT) were enrolled in the study. Only pTa/pT1 grade 2 multiple tumors as well as all grade 3 tumors were included in this study. All tumor samples obtained after the resection were immunohistochemically evaluated for the expression of the CD44 standard molecule. Fifty eight patients remained during the follow up period which ranged from 3 to 36 months (mean 11.8 months). Tumor progression in the short term was considered as the critical end point of interest in this study. The prognostic significance of tumor stage, grade, presence of carcinoma-in-situ (CIS) and expression of CD44 in determining the risk for progression, was studied with both univariate (log rank test) and multivariate (Cox proportional hazards) methods of analysis.Results: Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that a shorter median progression-free survival is expected for those patients with G3 bladder tumors (p = 0.0055), concomitant CIS (p = 0.0051), and loss of expression of CD44 (p = 0.0015), whereas a similar association with stage was not detected (p = 0.5793). The cox regression multivariate analysis did not yield a significant result for any of the studied parameters therefore no one of the factors taken into account can serve as an independent predictor of progression in superficial bladder cancer in the short term.Conclusion: The immunohistochemically detectable loss of the expression of CD44 standard form from superficial bladder tumor samples may be, complementary to the established prognostic factors, a useful predictor of tumor progression in the short term.     

大面积（直径≥3 cm）膀胱肿瘤患者TURBT术后膀胱复发的危险因素分析

【摘要】 目的 探讨大面积（直径≥3 cm）膀胱肿瘤患者经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术（transurethral resection of the bladder tumors，TURBT）后复发的危险因素。方法 回顾性统计2008年1月到2014年9月在本科就诊的107例大面积膀胱癌患者,其中男性75例，女性32例，平均年龄67.8岁（22～90岁），行TURBT及膀胱灌注化疗，定期门诊复诊随访。根据随访期间是否复发将上述患者分为复发组和未复发组，比较两组患者在年龄、性别、BMI、吸烟史、肿瘤数量（单发或多发）、肿瘤形态（是否有蒂）、肿瘤分期和分级及是否维持膀胱灌注化疗等指标的差异，并利用单因素和多因素logistic回归统计学方法，探索大面积膀胱肿瘤TURBT术后膀胱复发的独立危险因素。结果 所有患者均成功随访。其中75例出现膀胱癌复发，32例未复发。两组患者在年龄、性别组成、BMI、吸烟史、肿瘤分期和分级及是否膀胱灌注上的差异无统计学意义。而复发组中多发、宽基底肿瘤的患者数量比例显著高于未复发组（50.7%和25.0%, 93.3% 和25.0%，P<0.05）,多因素logistic回顾分析结果显示：肿瘤多发（95%CI：1.32～9.39,P=0.012）、宽基底（95%CI：1.50～19.84，P=0.010）是大面积膀胱肿瘤TURBT术后膀胱复发的独立危险因素。结论 与单发和有蒂肿瘤相比，多发、宽基底的大面积膀胱肿瘤TURBT术后膀胱复发的风险更高。因此，对于临床上具备上述特征的患者，有必要采取更加积极的治疗策略。     

同期经尿道切除膀胱肿瘤和前列腺的安全性和疗效观察（附16例报告）

目的：探讨同期经尿道切除膀胱肿瘤和前列腺治疗表浅性膀胱癌合并良性前列腺增生症的手术安全性和临床疗效.方法：16例表浅性膀胱癌合并良性前列腺增生症患者,先行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术（TURBT）切除膀胱肿瘤后同期行经尿道前列腺电切术（TURP）切除前列腺.结果：患者均顺利完成手术,无膀胱穿孔和电切综合征发生,术后随访6～36个月,平均22个月,6例发生膀胱肿瘤复发,平均复发时间14个月,复发部位均不在膀胱颈口和前列腺尿道,全部再次行TURBT.结论：同期经尿道切除膀胱肿瘤和前列腺治疗表浅性膀胱癌合并良性前列腺增生症手术安全、短期疗效确切,可适用于一部分年龄较大伴有严重的下尿路梗阻的且肿瘤分期、分级低的表浅性膀胱肿瘤患者.     

The role of a second transurethral resection for high-grade bladder cancer

High-grade, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer poses many difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The superficial, yet high-risk, nature of disease progression exemplifies the unique behavior of this form of bladder cancer. An adjunct to managing this difficult problem is a second staging transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT). This article reviews the pros and cons of a second staging TURBT and how it may impact the management of high-grade, low-stage superficial bladder cancer.     

Prognostic significance of estrogen receptor expression in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

OBJECTIVES: The role of estrogens in human bladder cancer still remains to be resolved. This study was undertaken to determine the estrogen receptor (ER) expression status and to elucidate the prognostic significance of ER in superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the human bladder. METHODS: Tumor tissue blocks which were obtained by transurethral resection (TUR) from 121 patients with superficial TCC and 30 control subjects were investigated. Median follow-up was 40 months. The expression of nuclear ER was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using avidin-biotin-peroxidase method and a monoclonal ER antibody. ER staining intensity in samples was assessed semi-quantitatively. Staining characteristics were compared with the clinico-pathological results. RESULTS: ERs were detected in 12.4% of the superficial TCC patients and in 10% of the controls (P = 0.73). No association was found between ER immuno-reactive score and patients' age, sex, tumor multiplicity or tumor size. An association between the ER staining intensity and higher tumor grade was observed (P = 0.01). Grades I, II and III tumors showed 10.6, 8.7 and 44.4% staining, respectively. Survival was not affected by ER expression. In multivariate analysis ER expression was not an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Superficial TCC of the bladder shows low ER expression and it appears that ERs do not have any direct role on the prognosis of patients with superficial TCC.     

经尿道膀胱肿瘤切除术前载药栓塞微球经导管动脉化疗栓塞治疗肌层浸润性膀胱癌

目的观察经尿道膀胱肿瘤切除(TURBT)术前以载药栓塞微球(DEB)行经导管动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)治疗肌层浸润性膀胱癌的效果。方法将40例肌层浸润性膀胱癌(T2～3期)患者分为观察组和对照组,每组20例。对观察组于DEB-TACE后行TURBT,对照组仅行TURBT;对比2组TURBT术中出血量及术后导尿管置留时间。术后随访24个月,记录术后6个月、24个月患者无复发生存率及总生存率,统计无复发生存时间。结果 2组均顺利完成手术,术中及术后未见严重不良反应。观察组TURBT术中出血量及术后导尿管置留时间均少于对照组(P均0.05);其术后6个月、24个月无复发生存率及总生存率均高于对照组(P均0.05);观察组中位无复发生存时间21.5个月,对照组12.5个月(P=0.058)。结论术前行DEB-TACE可减少TURBT术中出血量,抑制肌层浸润型膀胱癌复发,延长患者生存期。     

Use of bipolar energy for transurethral resection of superficial bladder tumors: long-term results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) with bipolar plasmakinetic energy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 121 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated at our institute. Bipolar TURBT with plasmakinetic energy was performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in all patients. Resected tissue was examined by a pathologist who recorded the number of tumors, tumor size, tumor shape, location, grade, invasion of the muscularis propria, and presence of muscular invasion. The operating time, length of hospital stay, blood loss, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded by a urologist. Follow-up was 3 to 5.5 years after operation. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 61 years; 41 patients had multiple tumors and 80 had single tumors. The mean tumor size was 1.9 cm in diameter. The tumor was located in the lateral wall of the bladder in 67 patients. The mean operative time was (25 +/- 16) minutes and the mean postoperative hospitalization period was 3 days. Three (2.5%) patients had hematuria requiring blood transfusion and 2 (1.7%) patients had bladder perforation. Adductor contraction was noted in 6 patients (4.9%), and urethral strictures occurred in 5 patients (4.1%). CONCLUSION: Transurethral resection of bladder tumors with bipolar plasmakinetic energy is safe and effective in the treatment of superficial bladder tumors.     

Management of superficial recurrences in an irradiated bladder after combined-modality organ-preserving therapy: Weiss C,Wittlinger M,Engehausen DG,Krause FS,Ott OJ,Dunst J,Sauer R,Rödel C,Department of Radiation Therapy,University of Erlangen,Erlangen, Germany.

PURPOSE: Standard treatment for superficial bladder cancer is transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) followed by intravesical therapy. Little is known about the biologic behavior and treatment response of superficial disease within an irradiated bladder. We specifically analyzed patients who developed superficial recurrence after TURBT and radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1982 and 2006, a total of 531 consecutive patients with invasive bladder cancer were treated by using various bladder-sparing protocols at our institution. Of these, 389 (76%) achieved a complete response after TURBT and radiotherapy/radiochemotherapy. During follow-up, 68 of 389 patients (17%) developed a superficial local relapse (相似文献   

Clinical outcome of conservative therapy for stage T1, grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate the effectiveness of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and intravesical instillation therapy for stage T1, grade 3 (T1G3) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 1997, 97 patients with T1G3 TCC of the urinary bladder were treated by TURBT and adjuvant intravesical instillation with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or other anticancer agents. The recurrence-free survival rates were evaluated according to several clinicopathological factors. The cases that progressed to muscle invasive disease were also analysed. RESULTS: In this series, the median follow-up period was 25 months (range, 5- 41) after the initial TURBT. Intravesical recurrence was noted in 44 patients (45%), and the 1, 2, and 3 year recurrence-free survival rates were 72%, 58%, and 42%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that the risk of intravesical recurrence was significantly higher for patients who did not receive BCG therapy, irrespective of age, gender, tumor size, multiplicity, pathological stage, concomitant carcinoma in situ, and lymphovascular involvement. Moreover, after a median of 10 months, disease progression occurred in seven patients (7%), of which only one patient was treated by BCG therapy after initial TURBT. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that intravesical instillation with BCG combined with TURBT is an effective conservative treatment for T1G3 TCC of the bladder. Patients with negative prognostic factors should be treated by BCG rather than other anticancer agents after TURBT.