title: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
abstract: Pasteur strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin was used to treat superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in 28 patients. Patients selected for treatment had an incomplete resection, positive selected site biopsies and/or post-resection positive cytology findings. Complete response required negative histology and cytology findings at cystoscopic followup 4 to 8 weeks after completion of treatment. Of the patients 20 (71 per cent) demonstrated a complete response, including all 6 with carcinoma in situ. Results converted to negative in 16 of 17 patients with positive urine cytology findings and 4 with positive prostatic urethral biopsies. Of the responders 8 had received prior treatment with thiotepa. The treatment regimen of 120 mg. Pasteur strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin weekly for 6 weeks was well tolerated. It was necessary to limit the number of treatments to 5 because of local irritative effects in only 3 patients. No chronic bladder disability has been noted during followup of 3 to 30 months. This experience supports the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin as a cost-effective, well tolerated treatment modality for patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001706:Biopsy; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003558:Cystoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products