Possibile ruolo della citofluorometria (CFM) nel monitoraggio della risposta alla terapia endocavitaria con BCG nel carcinoma in situ della vescica: Monitoring the response to intravesical BCG in the treatment of cis: A possible role of flow cytometry

Abstract

We report our experience on the treatment of carcinoma in situ (CIS) using intravesical therapy with the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). From November 1992 to September 1994, 18 patients received treatment: 6 had associated CIS and 12 secondary CIS. Ploidy of each tumour was determined by flow cytometry. Aneuploidy was found in 12 cases, diploidy in 6 cases. After treatment, a standard bladder mapping was performed: 14 patients showed no evidence of cystoscopic and histological disease and if previously aneuploid, became diploid. 4 patients has recurrent disease after therapy; they were all aneuploid before treatment. One of these showed a persistent aneuploidy, although both voided urinary cytology and histological samples were negative. Six months later, a recurrent CIS was seen at the time of cystoscopy. These results enhance the interest in flow cytometry as a possible predictor of response to BCG in the treatment of CIS.