Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin administration in the prophylaxis of superficial bladder cancer.

A total of 68 patients received prophylactic/adjuvant intravesical Pasteur strain bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillations following transurethral resection for superficial bladder carcinoma. An induction phase consisting of 6 weekly instillations was followed by a maintenance phase consisting of 1 instillation given every 3 months. A second 6-week course of BCG was administered to initial failure followed again by a quarterly maintenance therapy. The response rate for patients treated with one 6-week course was 56%, while complete response was achieved in 72% when both treatment courses were considered. Follow-up period lasted at least 2 years after each course of BCG. These results suggest that additional courses of BCG increase the prophylactic efficacy of intracavitary BCG. Regarding the purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test and granulomatous response in the bladder, it has been shown in the present study that, although favourable results occurred more frequently among patients with either PPD conversion from negative to positive or vesical granuloma formation, neither of these indices should be considered reliable prognostic indicators.