[Endoscopic ethanol injection treatment for bladder cancer]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Bladder cancer treatment traditionally involves invasive procedures.
• Novel, less invasive therapeutic options are needed for bladder tumors.

Observation:

• Ethanol was endoscopically injected into one invasive and four superficial bladder tumors.
• The procedure utilized local mucosal anesthesia and a ureteral catheter for precise delivery.

Findings:

• The ethanol injection demonstrated a potent necrotizing effect, similar to sclerotherapy and transcatheter embolization.
• The treatment achieved rapid hemostasis and reduced tumor mass in invasive bladder cancer.
• Eradication of superficial bladder cancer was comparable to standard transurethral resections.

Implications:

• Endoscopic ethanol injection presents a cost-effective, repeatable treatment for bladder cancer.
• This technique offers a viable palliative therapy for invasive bladder cancer.
• It serves as an effective alternative for superficial bladder cancer management.