Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Therapy of Superficial Bladder Tumor : Result of Long-Term Follow-Up / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the most effective intravesical agent for patients with superficial bladder cancer, but the long-term efficacy of BCG has not been established. We report our long-term experience of intravesical BCG therapy in the recurrence and progression for superficial bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 1993. high risk patients with superficial bladder cancer were received complete TURB plus intravesical BCG (n=77). 120mg Tice-Chicago strain BCG was administered weekly for 6 weeks and then monthly for 3 months. Patients were considered treatment failure if either urinary cytology or biopsy results were positive for tumor on every 3 to 6 months followup examination. All patients reported have had a minimum 2-year followup, with the mean of 63 months. RESULTS: The 1st course of BCG was successful in 47 (6696) of 71 patients treated for prophylaxis and 3 (50%) of 6 treated for carcinoma in situ. Subsequent progression of disease occurred in 6 patients (8%) and cystectomy was performed in 2 patients (3%). The response rate for the total patients population treated with the 1st course was 65% (50 of 77). Of 27 patients who failed the 1st treatment course 21 patients were given the 2nd BCG treatment course. Of the 2nd BCG course, subsequent progression of disease occurred in 3 patients (14%), and cystectomy was performed in 2 patients (9%). Thirteen (68%) had complete response and 5 (26%) had new tumors, who had rendered free of disease after TURB plus intravesical therapy (mitomycin and/ or BCG). Although serious BCG complications (hepatitis, miliary Tbc, sepsis) were observed in 2 patients, side-effects were self-limiting and well controlled in the majority of patients (fever, bladder irritability, and hematuria). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical BCG therapy seems to be effective to prevent recurrence and progression of superficial bladder cancer with long-term follow-up. However, we must note the possibility of fatal generalized complications in patients with grossly trauma of lower urinary tract.