Oral methotrexate for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

A total of 22 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, uncontrolled cystoscopically and unsuitable for or having failed intravesical therapy, received 50 mg. oral methotrexate per week for 12 months. Of the patients 7 (32%) achieved or remained in complete remission and 5 achieved a partial response, while 4 remained stable, 3 had progression and 3 were not evaluable. Patients who were still alive had a median followup of 2.5 years. Two patients with complete remission had relapse at 16 and 26.4 months, and 5 were disease-free at 34.5, 31.3, 18.6, 17.8 and 16.8 months, respectively. The methotrexate was generally well tolerated but 2 patients discontinued therapy because of dyspnea (1 subsequently died of respiratory failure that was possibly related to the methotrexate) and 1 because of persistent grade 2 mucositis. Grade 3/4 toxicities occurred in 3 patients: 1 each with reversible increases in creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase, and 1 with gastric bloating. There was little hematological toxicity. Reversible skin lesions developed in 4 patients. This oral treatment may provide an effective alternative to intravesical therapy but can be associated with severe toxicity.