[Carcinoma in situ in the urinary bladder]

In this paper we have presented seven patients with carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder, a rare intraepithelial form of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, described first in 1952. In all patients malignant cells were detected in urine sediment, and the diagnosis was proven histopathologicaly by random biopsies of the urinary bladder. In five patients carcinoma in situ was associated with papillary bladder tumor, while two patients had primary carcinoma in situ. We have emphasized a high rate of irritative urinary symptoms, that can lead to diagnostic mistakes. Three patients had reduced bladder capacity. In all patients a complete response was achieved after local immunotherapy or local chemotherapy. After a follow-up lasting from 23 to 61 months in one patient a recurrent carcinoma in situ was diagnosed, while six patients show no signs of recurrent disease.