Long-term results and complications of intracavitary bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for bladder cancer.

Clinical studies on intracavitary bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for bladder cancer have been conducted at this institution for more than 10 years. The 82 patients treated for prophylaxis of multiple superficial recurrences, residual tumors or carcinoma in situ have been followed for 2 to 7 years after treatment. The long-term results confirm previous studies showing the effectiveness of bacillus Calmette-Guerin in the prophylaxis and therapy of superficial vesical neoplasms. However, some decrease is observed in the population free of disease with a prolonged followup. Recent modifications in the original protocol have been introduced to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine. Side effects during or shortly after treatment were minor and self-limiting in the large majority of patients (fever, bladder irritability and hematuria). Mild, transient hepatic dysfunction was noted in 2 patients. Hematological disturbances were insignificant. No patient had permanent structural or functional alterations of the bladder.