Palliative effect of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin in elderly patients with advanced bladder carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was used to palliate severe local symptoms in patients with invasive carcinoma.


METHODS
Four patients with unresectable bladder carcinoma who were unfit for radical cystectomy because of age and poor performance status were treated with a 6-week course of BCG followed by monthly instillations.


RESULTS
Urgency and frequency were reduced in 3 patients and the improvement lasted for 9 to 19 months. All 4 patients ultimately died of bladder carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of palliative BCG treatment were encouraging, but further experience is necessary.
Holmäng
S
S
Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Fehrling
M
M
Hedelin
H
H
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001500:BCG Vaccine