Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for in situ transitional cell carcinoma involving the prostatic urethra

A total of 23 patients presenting with multifocal superficial bladder cancer and concomitant in situ transitional cell carcinoma of the prostatic urethra (mucosal in 19 and ductal in 4) underwent transurethral resection and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy. Median followup was 51.6 months (range 6 to 105 months). Of the 23 patients 13 (48 per cent) had a complete response with a median followup of 43.7 months without recurrence. Progression of some type (local, muscle invasion or metastasis) occurred in 10 patients (44 per cent); none occurred in the prostatic urethra. Median interval free of progression was 55.7 months; 7 of 10 patients required cystectomy for progression or refractory disease in the bladder (prostate negative for transitional cell carcinoma). A trial of complete transurethral resection plus intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin is a viable alternative to immediate radical cystectomy for patients with mucosal and/or ductal involvement of the prostatic urethra with in situ transitional cell carcinoma.     

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for high risk stage T1 superficial bladder cancer.

Numerous studies have shown bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) to be an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The high grade stage T1 lesion treated by transurethral resection alone is reported to progress to muscle invasion in 30 to 50% of the patients. Therefore, some have recommended treatment with cystectomy. To evaluate BCG treatment of the stage T1 lesion we reviewed our results with a single or repeated 6-week course of the Armand-Frappier Pasteur strain BCG and compared them with those in the literature. We also compared these results with those of treatment of the stage TA lesion. We treated 30 stage T1 cancer patients who were described as at high risk based on the criteria of histology grade 3 in 24 and grade 2 in 6, carcinoma in situ present in 14 and positive urine cytology results 2 to 3 weeks after transurethral resection in 26. Followup ranged from 12 to 78 months, with a mean of 39 months. After a single 6-week course of BCG 14 patients (47%) had negative cytology and biopsy findings at 6 months. Also, 6 patients had conversion to negative cytology and biopsy results after a second 6-week course of treatment, for an over-all complete response rate of 66%. After the initial course of BCG 4 patients had progression to cystectomy: 1 for muscle invasion and 3 for a persistent stage T1 lesion. They had no evidence of disease 12 to 60 months postoperatively. One patient had progression to metastasis after a second course of BCG. Therefore, the over-all progression rate to cystectomy or metastasis was 17% (5 of 30 patients). All 5 patients were among the 16 who failed to achieve a complete response after the initial course of BCG. In conclusion, our experience and that of others demonstrate that BCG therapy is an effective initial treatment of stage T1 disease to prevent progression and recurrence, and to preserve bladder function. Close monitoring will identify those nonresponders who require surgical intervention.     

Preliminary results of concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy in locally advanced bladder cancer.

Between March 1981 and March 1990, 15 patients with locally advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were treated concurrently with cisplatin and radiotherapy. Treatment comprised a radiation dose of 40-50 Gy in 20-25 fractions over 4-5 weeks and intravenous infusion of cisplatin with hydration during days 1-5 and 22-26. The total scheduled dose of cisplatin was 200 mg. A complete response (CR) was seen in 3 patients (2 T2 tumours and 1 T3) and the other 12 were regarded as partial responders. Two of the 12 partial responders (1 T2 tumour and 1 T4) underwent cystectomy after treatment, but 9 patients (2 T2, 6 T3 and 1 T4) underwent only transurethral resection. The remaining patient (with a T4 tumour) died from systemic disease, further treatment not being possible because of unrelated heart failure. In 3 CR patients and 9 with a partial response (PR), bladder function was preserved and they have survived for a mean of 18.3 months (range 5-47) after therapy. Although 4 patients in this group had recurrent bladder tumours and 1 died from cancer in another part of the body, 7 have survived with normal bladder function and no recurrence. It is concluded that concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy is a safe and viable regimen and may be considered as a means of preserving the bladder in patients with locally advanced transitional cell carcinoma.     

Bladder tumors invading the lamina propria (stage A/T1): influence of endovesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy on recurrence and progression

47 patients with transitional cell bladder carcinoma invading the lamina propria (stage A/T1) were treated from 1984 to 1986 by complete transurethral resection followed by 1-3 cycles of endovesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillations, and followed 14-64 months by cytology, endoscopy and bladder biopsies, 64% achieved a complete response, 36% recurred (recurrence rate/100 months/patient 2.2), 21% progressed to muscle invasion. Duration of treatment, tumor size or type (solid vs. papillary), presence of carcinoma in situ bore no relation to the final result. The preceding history of T1 bladder tumor appeared associated with a higher risk of progression although not reaching statistical significance. The results were compared to those obtained by transurethral resection in a similar group of 50 patients treated from 1982 to 1984 and followed up 12-100 months, 90% recurred and 34% progressed to muscle invasion with a recurrence rate/100 months/patient of 9.22. Keeping in mind the limits of a nonrandomized historical comparison, it appears that endovesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy alters favorably the recurrence pattern of T1 bladder cancer.     

Cisplatin and full dose irradiation for patients with invasive bladder carcinoma: a preliminary report of tolerance and local response

Twenty-seven patients with invasive bladder carcinoma (clinical stages T2 to T4) who were not candidates for cystectomy were treated by transurethral resection, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin) and full dose radiotherapy according to protocol 8 of the National Bladder Cancer Collaborative Group A. Nausea and vomiting occurred in 74 per cent of the patients but were mild in 41 per cent. Maximum followup was 27 months and during that time 3 significant toxic reactions occurred: renal failure, systemic sepsis and a transient partial small bowel obstruction. Of 17 evaluable patients complete responses of the primary bladder cancer to the treatment were achieved in 11 of 13 with stages cT2 and cT3 cancer and in 2 of 4 with stage cT4 disease. The members of National Bladder Cancer Collaborative Group A have found transurethral resection, cisplatin and full dose external beam radiotherapy practical clinically. Longer followup will be necessary to determine if the observed high initial complete response rate of the tumor indicates real lasting benefit for these patients.     

Outcomes in patients with pathological carcinoma in situ only disease at radical cystectomy

PURPOSE: Pathological stage influences patient outcome after radical cystectomy. We present our experience with patients who have only transitional cell carcinoma in situ of the bladder (pCIS-only) on final pathological examination after radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1995 and June 2003, 576 patients underwent radical cystectomy at our institution. Of these patients 54 were pathological stage CIS-only on final cystectomy specimen. Four patients simultaneously had invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter or renal pelvis and were excluded from evaluation. Variables examined included demographic characteristics, preoperative pathological stage, high risk features and followup parameters. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients with pCIS-only 44 (88%) were disease-free at last followup. Mean followup was 37.2 months (range 3.6 to 93.5). Of the 50 patients 21 had focal CIS while 29 had multifocal disease. There was no difference in disease recurrence between these 2 groups (9.5% vs 13.7%, p = 0.8). There were 9 patients with proximal urethral CIS involvement, of whom metastatic disease developed in 3. Only 1 of the 8 patients (12.5%) with ureteral orifice involvement had recurrence. Of the 50 patients 22 had muscle invasive disease on initial transurethral resection without residual invasive disease at cystectomy. This subset fared significantly worse after radical cystectomy than the 28 patients with less than stage T2 disease on transurethral bladder tumor resection (22.7% vs 3.6% metastasis, p < or = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of patients who have pCIS-only after radical cystectomy is not uniform. Patients may be at higher risk for recurrence if disease extends to the proximal urethra. In addition, patients demonstrating invasion on clinical staging (stage T2 or greater) but subsequent pCIS-only disease have a worse prognosis compared to those with superficial clinical staging. Patients with CIS-only on clinical and pathological staging have an excellent disease-free survival with radical cystectomy even with the presence of multifocal disease.     

Conservative management of muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer: prospective experience

Between May 1979 and July 1983, 217 consecutive patients with documented primary bladder tumors invading muscle were evaluated to determine the fate of patients with conservatively treated muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer. The disease was re-staged by urine cytology, bimanual examination with the patient under anesthesia and transurethral biopsy or resection. Of the 217 patients 172 underwent total or partial cystectomy and 45 (21 per cent, 37 with stage T2, 7 with stage T3a and 1 with stage T4 disease) did not because re-staging showed no residual tumor (stage T0) in 20, carcinoma in situ in 17, stage T1 tumor in 4 and local stage T2 cancer in 4. The median followup was 5.1 years (range 3 to 7 years). Of the 45 patients 30 (65 per cent) are free of tumor or have required transurethral resection and intravesical therapy for recurrent tumors but cystectomy has not been necessary. Of the 15 failures 11 underwent cystectomy 9 to 30 months after re-staging (7 are alive and 4 died of disease) and 4 are alive with metastatic disease (2 with negative bladder biopsies). Re-staging in the 4 patients who died showed stage T0 disease in 2, carcinoma in situ in 1 and stage T2 tumor in 1. The over-all survival rate was 82 per cent (37 of 45) and it was 67 per cent (30 of 45) for patients with a functioning bladder. The data suggest that endoscopic re-staging may identify a subset of patients with limited muscle-infiltrating bladder tumors that can be managed conservatively without immediate cystectomy.     

Contemporary management of stage T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

PURPOSE: Transitional cell carcinoma involving the lamina propria (stage T1) is associated with a high recurrence and progression rate with implications for patient survival and quality of life. A better understanding of the natural history of and treatment alternatives for this tumor may improve the outcome in patients with this stage of bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature of the last decade was comprehensively reviewed in regard to clinical and pathological diagnosis, adjuvant treatments, prognosis, and the role and timing of cystectomy. The information was gathered from MEDLINE, current urology journals, abstracts from recent urological meetings and personal experience. RESULTS: High grade and the depth of lamina propria invasion are important prognostic factors. Early diagnosis and accurate pathological assessment are essential for determining the most adequate treatment pathway. Initial treatment consists of complete transurethral resection and adjuvant treatment with intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Immediate postoperative instillation of mitomycin C decreases the risk of recurrence possibly related to tumor implantation. Intravesical treatment does not substantially decrease the chance of progression. Lack of a complete response to BCG at 3 to 6 months, high grade, the depth of lamina propria invasion, the association of carcinoma in situ and prostate mucosa or duct involvement represent significant predictors for progression. Cystectomy should be suggested for recurrent stage T1 tumor after BCG, new onset or persistent carcinoma in situ, tumor located at a difficult site for resection, prostatic duct or stromal involvement and muscle invasion. CONCLUSIONS: High grade stage T1 transitional cell carcinoma is a highly malignant tumor. Complete resection followed by immediate mitomycin C instillation and 6 weekly BCG instillations results in an acceptably low recurrence and progression rate. Rigorous long-term surveillance and continuous reconsideration of radical cystectomy in concordance with the evolution of the disease are essential.     

A European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer--Genitourinary Group phase 2 study of chemotherapy in stage T3-4N0-XM0 transitional cell cancer of the bladder: evaluation of clinical response.

From 1986 to 1990 the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer--Genitourinary Group conducted a phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage T3-4N0-XM0 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The objectives were to evaluate the clinical response in relation to the pathological response, and to measure the side effects of chemotherapy. Of 171 patients entered 136 were fully evaluable: 18% had clinical complete remissions, 36% had clinical partial remissions, 39% had no clinical remissions and 10% had unknown response. A selected subgroup of 76 patients underwent cystectomy after 2 or 4 courses of chemotherapy: 2 were not evaluable for pathological response because of preoperative radiotherapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 16 had a pathological complete remission, 7 had a pathological partial remission and 51 had no pathological remission. Comparison of the clinical response or T category only after 2 courses of chemotherapy with the pathological response after 2 or 4 courses of chemotherapy showed that in a number of patients the disease status could be downstaged to pathological complete or partial remission by additional courses of chemotherapy. If the discrepancies between clinical and pathological responses, or between T and P categories, induced by further downstaging after additional chemotherapy were left out, it was shown that clinical complete and partial remissions were a heterogeneous group but nonresponders could be delineated with a 100% accuracy by clinical response evaluation and transurethral resection biopsy only. Furthermore it seems important to establish the number of chemotherapy courses to induce a maximal response of the primary tumor.     

Maintenance intravesical bacillus calmette-guerin for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of bladder. A retrospective study

Eighteen patients with recurrent and/or multifocal superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who were rendered tumor-free by transurethral resection and were then treated with either a single or second six-week course of induction Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, followed by maintenance therapy, were retrospectively reviewed. A 73 percent complete response rate was achieved in those patients treated prophylactically, while a 70 percent complete response rate was observed in patients treated for carcinoma in situ (CIS) with an average follow-up of twenty-nine months. Maintenance therapy may be warranted in those patients able to tolerate it without significant side effects.     

Topical mitomycin C therapy for carcinoma in situ of the bladder: a followup

We studied 15 patients with histologically proved multifocal carcinoma in situ of the bladder who were in remission at a mean followup of 21 months after induction intravesical chemotherapy with mitomycin C. These patients have been followed for a further 28 months, for a total mean duration of 49 months. Of the 15 patients 4 suffered new areas of carcinoma in situ, including 3 who subsequently required cystectomy (2 after unsuccessful intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy and 1 with a simultaneous invasive tumor). One patient underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for carcinoma in situ of the prostatic urethra, which subsequently was shown to be limited to mucosa and not involving the deeper ducts nor the stroma. Of the remaining 11 patients 1 died of unrelated disease and 2 suffered recurrent papillary transitional cell carcinoma treated successfully with a combination of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy and resection. The other 8 patients have remained free of tumor. None of the 15 patients had metastatic cancer. We believe that these results support the durability of response after induction mitomycin C therapy. We stress the necessity for prolonged close followup to detect recurrent tumor and to avoid metastatic disease.     

Carcinoma in a bladder diverticulum: presentation and treatment outcome

PURPOSE: In this retrospective review we characterize the outcomes of patients treated for transitional cell carcinoma in a bladder diverticulum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 2001, 39 patients were treated for tumors in a bladder diverticulum. All patients underwent initial transurethral resection of the tumor. Based on cystoscopic evaluation, bimanual examination and computerized tomography findings, tumors were classified as superficial (Ta, Tis), superficially invasive confined to diverticulum (T1) or extra diverticular (T3+). Patients with superficial or superficially invasive disease were treated either conservatively with repeat transurethral resection, or with partial or radical cystectomy. Patients with extra diverticular extension were treated with partial or radical cystectomy when amenable to surgical extirpation. Predictors of outcome were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. End point was overall and disease-specific survival. RESULTS: Of our cohort of 39 patients 13 (33%) presented with superficial disease, 13 (33%) with superficially invasive tumors and 13 (33%) with invasive (extra diverticular) disease. Actuarial 5-year disease specific survival for the cohort was 72 +/- 5.4%. Significant differences in 5-year disease specific survival were observed among patients presenting with superficial tumors (83 +/- 9%), superficially invasive tumors (67 +/- 7%) and extra diverticular disease (45 +/- 14%). Of the patients presenting with T1 tumors the primary mode of treatment did not correlate with outcome. In a multivariate model clinical staging was the only independent predictor of outcome and concomitant carcinoma in situ reached borderline significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a conservative approach for tumors confined to the bladder diverticulum, provided complete removal is feasible and close surveillance ensues.     

Recurrence and progression of T1G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of recurrence and progression in patients with stage T1, grade-3 carcinoma of the bladder treated with endovesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) after complete transurethral resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From May 1995 to June 2002, 937 patients with superficial bladder cancer underwent transurethral resection. 46 patients (4.9%) had T1G3 tumors. All patients received endovesical BCG therapy 2-3 weeks after transurethral resection, given in 6 sessions as weekly instillations of 120 ml Pasteur strain BCG in 50 ml saline. Success was defined by normal cytology and cystoscopy, and normal bladder biopsies. Recurrent tumors were resected and a second or third cycle of therapy was given according to pathological status. Progressive tumors were managed by radical cystectomy, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy depending on the nature of the tumor or clinical status of the patient. RESULTS: During follow-up 60.7% of the patients (28 of 46) remained tumor free after only 1 BCG cycle and 73.9% (34 of 46) after the third BCG cycle, and the bladder was preserved in all. Muscle-invasive progression was noted in 10 (21.7%) patients at the end of the BCG cycles. Radical cystectomy was done in 10 patients. The tumor-free survival rate of all patients including those who underwent cystectomy is 84.8% (39 of 46) with a median follow-up of 61 (range 39-118) months. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant immunotherapy with BCG after complete transurethral resection of the bladder tumor represents a highly effective treatment for bladder preservation in stage pT1, grade-3 carcinoma of the bladder. pT1G3 tumors with early high-grade recurrence after failed immunotherapy should be regarded as candidates for early radical cystectomy.     

DNA analysis in predicting survival of irradiated patients with transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.

A total of 115 patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent radical radiotherapy between 1975 and 1986 and were followed up until the end of 1990. Apart from routine clinical observations, flow cytometric DNA measurements made on fresh tumour material were available for analysis. Actuarial cancer-free survival controlling for response to treatment was analysed with the log-rank test, bivariate and multivariate analyses using Cox's stepwise regression model on probable prognostic factors. The overall actuarial 5-year cancer-free survival rate was 30%. Survival was significantly correlated with response to treatment: 59% for patients with complete regression and 5% for those with residual tumour. Prognostic factors that significantly correlated with death from cancer were advanced stage, large size, incomplete resection, ureteric obstruction, anaemia, carcinoma in situ grade 3 and occurrence of more than one aneuploid cell population. However, only 3 of these factors were of independent power in the multivariate analysis: stage, size and carcinoma in situ. Of 21 patients with a history of primary or secondary carcinoma in situ, 19 died from cancer during follow-up: 18 of the 21 patients had tumours that were aneuploid with more than one aneuploid cell population. It is concluded that curative radiotherapy can be successful only in patients with less advanced tumours assessed according to clinical stage and size, aneuploid tumours with not more than one aneuploid cell line, no carcinoma in situ, no ureteric obstruction, and in whom a complete transurethral resection of the exophytic tumour is possible.     

Nichtinvasives und invasives Harnblasenkarzinom

Therapy of superficial bladder tumors is transurethral resection (TUR), and in cases of pT1 or high-grade tumors a re-TUR is indicated. Patients with carcinoma in situ receive intravesical chemotherapy or BCG for at least 3 months. Persistent carcinoma in situ may be treated by radical cystectomy. With the provision of a functionally adequate urinary diversion, cystectomy represents an effective treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer without metastatic spread. Regional lymph node metastases can be found in up to 15% of stage T1 disease and are present in 33% of stage T3/4 lesions. Thus, lymphadenectomy gains diagnostic and possibly also therapeutic importance. For selected patients, who cannot be treated by radical cystectomy, multimodal concepts aiming to preserve the bladder are discussed. After or prior to cystectomy systemic chemotherapy may become necessary for some patients to positively affect the course of the disease in cases of locally advanced or metastatic lesions.     

Efficacy and safety of valrubicin for the treatment of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory carcinoma in situ of the bladder. The Valrubicin Study Group

PURPOSE: We assess the efficacy and safety of intravesical valrubicin for the treatment of carcinoma in situ in patients with failure or recurrence after bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and who otherwise would have undergone cystectomy. Total anthracycline recovery in urine samples obtained within 24 hours of valrubicin administration was assessed in a subset of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients with recurrent carcinoma in situ after failed multiple prior courses of intravesical therapy, including at least 1 course of BCG, participated in this open label, noncomparative study. Each patient received 6 weekly instillations of 800 mg. intravesical valrubicin. Disease evaluations were made at baseline and 3-month intervals following treatment. Evaluations included cystoscopy with biopsy and urine cytology. Toxicity was noted throughout treatment and followup. No evidence of disease recurrence for 6 months or greater was considered a complete response. RESULTS: Of 90 patients 19 (21%) had a complete response, including 7 who remained disease-free at the last evaluation, with a median followup of 30 months. Additionally, 14 patients who did not meet the strict protocol definition of complete response had superficial Ta disease only. Median time to failure and/or last followup for complete responders was greater than 18 months. Recurrence has been noted in 79 patients to date, including only 2 with clinically advanced disease (stage T2). Of these 79 patients 44 (56%, 4 responders and 40 nonresponders) underwent radical cystectomy. Of the 41 patients with known pathological stage 6 (15%) had stage pT3 or greater at cystectomy. Four patients died of bladder cancer during the median followup of 30 months, none of whom was a complete responder or underwent cystectomy following valrubicin. The main side effects of valrubicin therapy were reversible local bladder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Valrubicin was effective and well tolerated in patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder refractory to BCG therapy. Delaying cystectomy while attempting salvage therapy with valrubicin does not pose an undue risk to most patients.     

新辅助介入化疗后经尿道切除治疗浸润性膀胱癌

目的:探讨新辅助介入化疗结合经尿道切除治疗浸润性膀胱癌的疗效.方法:对15例有膀胱全切指征而患者无法耐受或不愿接受膀胱全切手术的浸润性膀胱移行细胞癌患者进行保留膀胱的手术治疗.采用新辅助动脉介入化疗后经尿道切除治疗,经髂内动脉灌注的化疗药物为健择1.0 g/m2.结果:经新辅助动脉介入化疗后,完全缓解(CR)1例(6.7%),部分缓解(PR)14例(93.3%),膀胱癌瘤体明显缩小,缩小的癌灶经尿道电切或钬激光均得以顺利切除,患者膀胱得以保留.所有病例定期随访,平均随访22.4个月.肿瘤复发5例(33.3%),对复发肿瘤再次行经尿道切除术或化疗、放疗.结论:术前动脉化疗可使多数浸润性膀胱癌降期,使部分患者接受保留膀胱手术.临床初步的观察结果提示疗效良好,且患者保留膀胱功能,获得了较好的生活质量.     

Noninvasive and invasive bladder cancer: diagnostics and treatment

Therapy of superficial bladder tumors is transurethral resection (TUR), and in cases of pT1 or high-grade tumors a re-TUR is indicated. Patients with carcinoma in situ receive intravesical chemotherapy or BCG for at least 3 months. Persistent carcinoma in situ may be treated by radical cystectomy. With the provision of a functionally adequate urinary diversion, cystectomy represents an effective treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer without metastatic spread. Regional lymph node metastases can be found in up to 15% of stage T1 disease and are present in 33% of stage T3/4 lesions. Thus, lymphadenectomy gains diagnostic and possibly also therapeutic importance. For selected patients, who cannot be treated by radical cystectomy, multimodal concepts aiming to preserve the bladder are discussed. After or prior to cystectomy systemic chemotherapy may become necessary for some patients to positively affect the course of the disease in cases of locally advanced or metastatic lesions.     

Management of stage T1 superficial bladder cancer with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy.

We reviewed our results with 86 patients who had a pretreatment history of a stage T1 tumor. All patients were treated with transurethral resection of all visible tumor followed by intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and many patients received additional maintenance therapy. Local recurrences were treated with repeat transurethral resection followed by additional BCG. Median followup was 59 months, with a range of 9 to 149 months. Overall, 78 of 86 patients (91%) were free of tumor recurrence with BCG therapy. This result includes 69% of the patients who responded to the initial transurethral resection and intravesical BCG, and 22% who ceased having tumors after additional treatments for local recurrences. Only 7% of the patients had progression to stage T2 tumors after BCG therapy. Grade of the stage T1 tumor, concurrent carcinoma in situ and tumor multiplicity before BCG did not predict tumor recurrence or progression. Of patients with recurrences after BCG therapy, those with stage T1 tumors had a higher rate of progression compared to those with stage Ta tumors but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.086). These data clearly support the efficacy of transurethral resection plus intravesical BCG immunotherapy in the treatment of stage T1 tumors as well as in the prevention of disease progression.     

Three cases of transitional cell carcinoma in bladder diverticulum treated by a bladder-preserving approach

Three cases of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in the urinary bladder diverticulum were encountered during a period of 12 years and bladder preserving treatments were performed. Case 1: A 78-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of hematuria. Papillary tumors in the diverticulum of the right bladder wall were revealed (TCC, G3, T3N0M0). Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy was performed and complete remission was achieved. When a recurrent bladder tumor appeared 22 months later, transurethral resection was performed and there was no evidence of recurrence for 50 months. Case 2: A 60-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of gross hematuria. Cystoscopic examination revealed papillary tumors in a bladder diverticulum near the ureteral left orifice. Transurethral resection revealed TCC G2 and carcinoma in situ. Partial cystectomy, including the bladder diverticulum, and vesicoureteral neostomy was performed. The histological stage of the tumor was pTis and the wall of diverticulum possessed a thin muscle layer histopathologically. Twenty two months later, recurrence in the left bladder wall developed and transurethral resection and bladder instillation therapy were performed. For 21 months he had no evidence of recurrence. Case 3: A 59-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of hematuria. A solid tumor in the diverticulum of the bladder left wall was revealed. After 4 courses of intraarterial infusion chemotherapy, 41% remission was achieved and partial cystectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was TCC G3, pT3b, INF-alpha, v (-), ly (-), and no muscle layer was found in the diverticulum. There was no evidence of recurrence 16 months after operation. By using the combination therapy, bladder preserving treatment is possible in the cases of bladder cancer arising in the diverticulum.