High-risk superficial bladder cancer: intravesical therapy for T1 G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary...

The ideal treatment for T1 G3 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder remains controversial. Therapeutic options after the initial transurethral (TUR) resection are observation, intravesical therapy, a repeat resection, radiation therapy, and cystectomy. Because more than half of patients with T1 G3 TCC of the urinary bladder do not progress, initial cystectomy can represent overtreatment. However, observation alone following TUR for T1 G3 TCC of the urinary bladder is associated with a progression rate of 48%. Intravesical immunotherapy has been shown to decrease recurrence and progression in high-grade Ta carcinoma in situ and T1 bladder cancer. When patients with T1 G3 tumors are well selected, intravesical therapy following the initial TUR can significantly improve survival and quality of life. Persistence or recurrence of high-grade tumor mandates consideration of cystectomy.