[Is it necessary to always treat the relapses of superficial bladder tumour at the moment of diagnosis? Preliminary communication].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the expectant management superficial recurrent bladder tumours.


METHODS
Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2003, 112 patients were diagnosed of superficial bladder tumour. 13 patients were observed after the diagnosis of tumour relapse until the decision to perform a transurethral resection. We analysed the clinical and pathological features. The patients were controlled with flexible cystoscopy every 3 months approximately. Of the 13 patients we count 15 observation events, (2 times in 2 patients). The decision between to treat or continue with observation was based in changes of appearance, size or number of tumours and presence of hematuria.


RESULTS
With a mean age of 74.6 years (47-91). The mean observation time was 5.76 months (3-71). In the group of tumours previous to the observation period, in 12 events (10 patients) that means 80% any progression in grade or stage was observed. In the other 3 events we observed progression in grade and stage in 2 and only stage in 1. In any case we observed progression to invasive bladder tumour neither upper urinary tract tumour.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the low risk of progression, we believe that immediate eradication is not always necessary, thus reducing the adverse impact of repeat resections.
Martínez Cáceres
P
P
Departamento de Urología, Instituto Médico Tecnológico, Barcelona.
Hidalgo Arroyo
J G
JG
Chéchile Toniolo
G E
GE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003558:Cystoscopy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014556:Urine / Q000166:cytology