Use of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin in the treatment of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: an overview.

Since 1976 superficial bladder cancer is treated with intravesical instillations of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). The results with BCG are superior to other intravesical chemotherapeutics, both in superficial tumors and carcinoma in situ. BCG probably acts as a nonspecific potentiator of the immune system. Comparative studies have to give information about the effectiveness and side effects of the different strains of BCG, and about the best clinical schedule. Toxicity is mild in 95% of the cases. Severe side effects and antituberculous drugs are discussed.