title: The management of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
abstract: Superficial transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the urinary bladder, defined as those that are restricted to the mucosa or the lamina propria, represent a common condition with a wide spectrum of biologic significance. High-grade superficial TCC, particularly in the presence of lamina propria invasion, has a significant risk of occult or subsequent progression to muscle-invasive or metastatic disease. Such high-risk lesions merit aggressive therapy with repeat resection followed by intravesical therapy, usually in the form of bacille Calmette-Guérin. Criteria for failure of intravesical therapy are not well defined, but persistent cytologic or cystoscopic abnormalities at 6 months are worrisome. Salvage intravesical therapy may sometimes be successful, but early cystectomy should be strongly considered, especially in younger patients. Close surveillance of patients with high-risk superficial TCC is essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Shomik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Blute
mesh_terms: D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*