Promotion of bladder tumours by endoscopic procedures in an animal model

An experimental study was performed to assess the possible tumour-promoting action of urothelial trauma caused by repeated intravesical diathermy, catheterisation, and the instillation of water, glycine and saline in the rat bladder which had previously been exposed to an initiating dose of the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. An increase in tumours and inflammatory changes was observed, especially in the group treated with water, and the significance of the findings is discussed.