Long-term versus short-term doxorubicin hydrochloride instillation after transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer.

In a prospective randomized study the influence of short-term instillation therapy versus long-term instillation therapy after transurethral resection of superficial transitional cell bladder cancer on tumor recurrence, tumor progression and patient survival were evaluated. The data of 146 patients of 160 who entered the study were evaluable. After transurethral resection of the initial tumor and random biopsies of the bladder, patients were divided into two groups at random: group 1--doxorubicin weekly for 6 weeks and afterwards no further treatment (short-term regimen) and group 2--doxorubicin weekly for 6 weeks and afterwards monthly instillation for 2 years (long-term regimen). The follow-up was 5 years. Neither frequency of recurrences, nor tumor progression nor survival rate was improved significantly by the long-term instillation regimen.