Tigason (etretinate) in prevention of recurrence of superficial bladder tumors. A double-blind clinical trial.

The effect of Tigason (etretinate) in the prevention of the recurrence of superficial bladder tumors (Ta-T1, grade 0 papilloma and grade 1 and 2 carcinoma) was studied in 30 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Before beginning treatment, the bladder was cleared from all visible tumors by electrocoagulation or TUR. The duration of treatment ranged from 10 to 26 months. The overall preventive effect was significantly better (p less than 0.01) in Tigason-treated patients than in patients given placebo. Tigason was more effective in preventing the recurrence of grade 1 and 2 carcinoma than placebo. On grade 0 papilloma this difference was not so marked. Side effects were common and disturbing at high doses (50 mg/day), but Tigason was well tolerated at the final maintenance dose (25 mg/day). The results obtained from this first clinical study with Tigason in the prevention of recurrence of superficial bladder tumors are promising.