Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Pasteur strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin was used to treat superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in 28 patients. Patients selected for treatment had an incomplete resection, positive selected site biopsies and/or post-resection positive cytology findings. Complete response required negative histology and cytology findings at cystoscopic followup 4 to 8 weeks after completion of treatment. Of the patients 20 (71 per cent) demonstrated a complete response, including all 6 with carcinoma in situ. Results converted to negative in 16 of 17 patients with positive urine cytology findings and 4 with positive prostatic urethral biopsies. Of the responders 8 had received prior treatment with thiotepa. The treatment regimen of 120 mg. Pasteur strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin weekly for 6 weeks was well tolerated. It was necessary to limit the number of treatments to 5 because of local irritative effects in only 3 patients. No chronic bladder disability has been noted during followup of 3 to 30 months. This experience supports the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin as a cost-effective, well tolerated treatment modality for patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.