Abstract
Superficial transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the bladder have a high recurrence rate and a potential for progressive disease. The intravesical use of chemotherapeutic agents to prevent recurrences has achieved varying success. We report our experience in the prevention of superficial TCC recurrences using topical Mitomycin C or Epirubicin (in two different doses).
After complete transurethral resection (TURB) and histological confirmation of stage pTa or pT1 disease, 80 patients were assigned to group A (Mitomycin 40 mg in 40 ml); 80 pts to group B (Epirubicin 50 mg in 50 ml); 40 pts were enrolled in group C (Epirubicin 80 mg in 50 ml saline). Median follow-up is 43.4 months for group A, 42.1 months for gr. B, 21.1 months for gr. C. 183 pts could be evaluated.
Results: 28/74 pts had recurrences in gr. A, 26/73 in gr. B, 11/36 in gr. C; the recurrence index/100 pt-months is 1.21 in gr. A, 1.23 in gr. B, 2.10 in gr. C. Tumour progression was registered in 13/74 pts in gr. A, in 11/73 in gr. B, in 5/36 in gr. C. pT1-tumours showed a recurrence rate of 69% (average of the three groups) versus 13% of pTa-tumours; a very high recurrence rate was also observed in multiple neoplasms.
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