Recurrence According to Grade after BCG Intravesical Therapy in Stage T1 Bladder Cancer

Lee, Hyung Il; Ha, Dal Bong; Lee, Kyung Seop

Abstract

PURPOSE
We compared the recurrence rate and mean interval to recurrence according to tumor grade after complete transurethral resection and adjuvant intravesical instillation with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), in patients with stage T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between January 1994 and May 2000, 31 patients presenting to our hospital with T1 superficial bladder cancer received adjuvant intravesical instillation with BCG after complete transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. Tumors with CIS lesion or recurrent tumors were excluded. The recurrence rates, mean interval to recurrence, tumor size and number of tumors were compared according to tumor grade.
RESULTS
Of the 31 patients, 5 presented with grade I tumor, 17 with grade II tumor and 9 with grade III tumor. Mean follow-up period was 22 months (range 6-58) and mean tumor sizes according to tumor grade were 1.6, 1.6 and 1.7cm in grade I, II and III, respectively. Twelve (38.7%) patients experienced tumor recurrence. The recurrence rates according to tumor grade were 20.0%, 41.2% and 44.4% in grade I, II and III, respectively. Mean interval to recurrence were 40, 11.4 and 7.5 months, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the recurrence rates were higher in grade II and III tumors than in grade I tumor. Therefore close follow-up is necessary in both grade II and III tumors.