Reassessment of conservative management for stage T1N0M0 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the outcome of stage T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with local tumor resection and intravesical therapies.


METHODS
Of 42 patients with stage T1 bladder cancer seen at our clinic during a 10-year period 38 were treated conservatively with local tumor resection, intravesical therapy and long-term followup. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was used as the primary intravesical agent since 1986.


RESULTS
Of the 38 patients 15 had initial grade 2 or 2 to 3 tumors, including 9 (60%) who had at least 1 or more local recurrences but without disease progression. The remaining 23 patients had grade 3 or grades 3 to 4 stage T1 tumors, with local recurrence in 17 (74%) and disease progression in 8 (35%). Furthermore, 5 patients (22%) died of the metastasis despite salvage therapies.


CONCLUSIONS
For patients with initial grade 2 or grades 2 to 3, stage T1 disease the risk of disease progression is low. Current management with local tumor resection and intravesical BCG is appropriate and should be continued. Patients with high grade, stage T1 disease are at particularly high risk for disease progression and BCG does not seem to decrease this risk effectively. Therefore, immediate cystectomy is appropriate and should be recommended.
Zhang
G K
GK
Park Nicollet Clinic, Health System Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Uke
E T
ET
Sharer
W C
WC
Borkon
W D
WD
Bernstein
S M
SM
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000368:Aged; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015653:Cystectomy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001500:BCG Vaccine