[Prognostic factors of superficial bladder cancer recurring after initial transurethral resection]

About 70% of bladder cancers are superficial at the initial state. If diagnosed at an early stage, the tumor may be resected completely and easily. However, recurrence is seen in many cases. Prognostic factors of recurrence were investigated in 55 cases of bladder cancer newly diagnosed (excluding carcinoma in situ) between 1995 and 2003, and in which complete resection by transurethral resection (TUR) was possible at first recurrence after initial TUR. One- and three-year postoperative non-recurrence rates were 51.9% and 36.3%, respectively. None of the factors studied, i.e., stage, grade, tumor multiplicity (at initial and at first recurrence), change of stage and grade at first recurrence compared with that of initial TUR, duration to recurrence and adjuvant therapy after TUR, were found to influence the prognosis after recurrence. Similar results were obtained for third TUR. Recurred pTa, grade 1 or solitary cancer at initial or at recurrence had the same prognosis as pT1, grade 2-3 or multiple cancers, and careful follow-up is needed.