Intravesical epirubicin treatment following TUR in superficial bladder tumours.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of intravesical epirubicin treatment to prevent recurrence and progression of superficial bladder tumor after TUR.

METHODS

44 patients with superficial bladder tumor, 28 primary and 16 recurrent cases were given 50 mg intravesical epirubicin once a week for 8 weeks after TUR. Recurrent cases had not been treated by any intravesical agent before. Follow-up was done by cystoscopy, urine cytology and random biopsies.

RESULTS

Local recurrence after treatment was found in 14.28% and 18.75%, and recurrence in another area was found in 21.42% and 31.25% of the primary and recurrent tumor groups respectively. Total recurrence in both groups was 40.91%. No systemic toxicity was observed and local side effects were treated symptomatically.

CONCLUSION

Intravesical epirubicin after TUR for superficial bladder tumors especially for the primary ones, is a reliable method that provides effective prophylaxis with tolerable side effects.