[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer]

Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy (AI) is widely used in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer, but few studies have been reported on its efficacy for superficial bladder cancer. We retrospectively examined the anti-tumor effect and prophylactic effect of AI in 18 cases which were either a case with multiple or extensive tumors which could not be controlled completely by transurethral resection (TUR), a case with grade 3 tumors or a recurrent case after TUR and/or intravesical chemotherapy. Fifty mg of adriamycin and 100 mg of cisplatin were administered into bilateral internal iliac arterys. This treatment was repeated 1-3 times every three weeks. Concerning the anti-tumor effect, 8 showed a complete response, 5 showed partial response and 5 showed no change; the overall response rate (CR + PR) was 72%. Concerning the prophylactic effect, 1-, 2- and 3-year recurrence-free rates were 58.8%, 41.1% and 32.9%, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of AI in the anti-tumor treatment, but not in the prophylactic treatment of superficial bladder cancer.