Bilharziasis in malignant tumours of the urinary bladder

In a review of 2248 cystoscopic examinations conducted over 10 years, malignant tumours of the urinary bladder were found in 172 patients. In 128 of these the condition was associated with bilharziasis. The lateral wall of the bladder was the commonest site (52.3%). Squamous cell carcinoma occurred in 78.1%. Forty-nine patients refused surgery and eight were found to have advanced inoperable tumours. Seventy-one patients had a total cystectomy. There were no operative deaths but post-operative complications occurred in nine cases. Eight patients died within 2 years but 21 were well and tumour-free at 5 years. It was concluded that there is a marked association between bilharziasis and bladder cancer. When the tumour is operable, cystectomy is the treatment of choice.