Prophylactic Intravesical Chemotherapy in Superficial Bladder Tumors

Chang, Eui Hyun; Lee, Sung Choon

Abstract

Superficial bladder tumors are usually treated by TUR. However, recurrence of the tumor after complete resection occurs in about 50-70%, of the patients with a significant percentage of these recurrences showing a higher degree of malignancy. In 10% of the cases, the tumor progresses to invasive carcinoma. Most of these recurrent tumors will occur within 6-12 months. The multifocal nature of these tumors and the frequent recurrences after TUR indicate a need for adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce or delay the incidence of recurrence tumors. We studied to evaluate prophylactic effects of topical chemotherapy in 116 cases with superficial bladder tumors admitted to the Department of Urology, Keimyung University School of Medicine during the period from Jenuary, 1971 through July, 1985. All patients were followed up for more than 6 months. Study group consists of 83 cases (Thio-tepa: 39, Adriamycin; 44) treated with topical chemotherapy following TUR during the period from January, 1978 through July, 1985. Control group consists of 33 cases treated by TUR only during the period from January 1971 through December, 1977. Following results were obtained: 1. No. of patients with recurrence; In study group, 36Pr In control group. 67% 2. Average interval of recurrence: In study group, 38 months. In control group, 30 months 3. Recurrence rate; In study group, 2.58 In control group, 3.16 4. Complication: local side effects; In TUR + Thio-tepa, 20.5% In TUR + Adriamycin, 15.9%.