title: Routine transurethral biopsy of the bladder is not necessary to evaluate the response to bacillus calmette-guerin therapy.
abstract: We evaluated the need for transurethral biopsy at first follow-up after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy for superficial bladder cancer. The records of 84 patients with superficial bladder cancer who received a 6- or 8-week course of BCG were reviewed. Pathological results before BCG, cystoscopic findings, urinary cytology, and biopsy results for evaluation of BCG therapy were reviewed. All 19 patients with positive urinary cytology had evidence of positive bladder biopsy results. Fifty-three of 54 patients (98.1%) with no visible recurrent tumor and negative urinary cytology demonstrated negative pathological results on bladder biopsy. When not found in conjunction with positive urinary cytology, erythematous mucosa on cystoscopy was not an indicator of tumor recurrence or residual cancer. In conclusion, routine transurethral biopsy of the bladder for evaluating the response to BCG intravesical therapy is not necessary in patients who have no visible tumor on cystoscopy and negative urinary cytology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Himeji St. Mary's Hospital, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0801, Japan.
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ebara
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saika
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Irie
authors.forename: Katsuji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Sadayuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyaji
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manabe
authors.forename: Haruki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaku
authors.forename: Yasutomo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nasu
authors.forename: Tomoyasu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsushima
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D003558:Cystoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine