Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment for Stage T1 grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively analyze intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment for Stage T1 grade 3 (T1G3) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder.


METHODS
Between 1984 and 1995, 78 patients with Stage T1 grade 3 tumor were treated by transurethral resection of all visible tumors and adjuvant BCG intravesical instillations. Median follow-up was 56 months (range 12 to 141).


RESULTS
After an initial induction course, 52 patients (67%) were tumor-free. Twenty-two patients (28%) had recurrent tumor after a median of 7 months (range 5 to 62). Progression occurred in 6 patients (7.7%) after a median of 18 months (range 5 to 56).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravesical BCG appears to be an effective treatment for patients with Stage T1 grade 3 TCC. Patients whose tumors recur after an initial induction course may benefit from a second course of BCG. Intravesical BCG treatment may lower the tumor progression rate. Late recurrence, beyond 2 years, warrants long-term follow-up.
Baniel
J
J
Department of Urology and Oncology Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Grauss
D
D
Engelstein
D
D
Sella
A
A
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001500:BCG Vaccine