Experiences on the local adriamycin treatment of bladder tumours

Following repeated resections, local cytostatics have recently been increasingly applied for preventing the recurrence of superficial bladder tumours. Fifty-five patients at stages Tis, Ta, Tl were treated intravesically by adriamycin for 16 to 24 months. After the treatment period, the total number of tumour recurrences decreased by more than half. In 18 cases there were no tumour recurrences. The administered cytostatics did not produce any systemic side-effects. Chemocystitis and haematuria were the most frequently associated side-effects. Based on favourable experiences, local adriamycin treatment is looked upon as an effective prevention of recurrences.