The effect of intravesical formalin on the destruction and regeneration of the canine bladder.

Instillation of cytotoxic compounds into the bladder elicits an effect that is based on contact of the agent with the mucosal cells. In the female dog, the distribution of this contact is characteristically in the lower portion of the bladder, and the dome of the bladder is almost invariably spared. Study with formalin indicates that the amount of mucosal contact is best increased by distention of the bladder to full capacity. These findings have significance in the use of topically active agents for the treatment of bladder cancer.