Intravesical ethoglucid (Epodyl) for treatment of noninvasive bladder cancer (stage Ta)

Widespread, well differentiated (grade I) bladder tumours confined to the mucosa (stage Ta) were treated with regular intravesical instillations of ethoglucid (Epodyl) in 24 patients. The therapeutic schedule could be followed in all but one patient, in whom side effects necessitated cessation of treatment. Complete response was obtained in 75% of the patients, and during continued prophylactic therapy 90% remained tumour-free. After termination of the treatment, however, new tumours appeared in 60-80% of the patients.