Intravesical instillation of Adriamycin early after transurethral resection: measurements of plasma levels.

10 patients with frequently recurrent or wide-spread papillary tumors of the urinary bladder were treated by intravesical instillation of adriamycin (50-110 mg) within 3 h of transurethral resection of the tumors. The highest plasma concentration observed (73 ng/ml) was associated with the most extensive resection. In none of the other patients did the maximum plasma concentration exceed 30 ng/ml. Mostly, the intravesical instillation of adriamycin was given in immediate connection with the transurethral resection. Hence, the remaining effects from the epidural anesthesia eliminated all patients' discomfort related to the instillation therapy. In none of the patients was the combined therapy discontinued due to side effects.