[Factors affecting the recurrence of epithelial tumors of the urinary bladder]

Of the 178 patients with superficial tumors of the urinary bladder followed up over minimally three years from the onset of treatment, 137 (77%) developed relapse of the tumor. Comparison of anamnestic data and objective examination findings in patients with and without relapses yielded a statistically significant probability of relapses in patients with multiple tumors, in tumors with an increased number of cell layers, and in tumors with infiltration of the lamina propria. Patients presenting with any of these features are at risk of relapses and require prophylactic treatment.