[Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin in the treatment of recurrent superficial bladder tumors].

Seven patients with recurrent superficial bladder tumors were treated by vesical and intradermal administration of BCG. All of these patients have had recurrence more than 2 times. BCG instillation was performed every weeks for 6 weeks after transurethral resection of bladder tumor. A suspension containing 120 mg BCG in 40 ml normal saline was instilled intravesically. BCG was administered into alternate upper thighs using a multiple puncture apparatus. Statistical analysis of bladder tumor in our hospital revealed the second recurrence rate to be 73.2%. The reduction of tumor recurrence rate of BCG treated patients was 43.0%. The reduction of tumor recurrence by BCG treatment was statistically significant, compared to other treatments. It seemed that patients with severe side effects such as bladder tenesmus and urinary infection, have a long tumor-free period. Therefore, we suggest that the reactive inflammation in bladder during BCG treatment plays an important role.