Changes in grade and stage of recurrent bladder tumors.

A retrospective study with adequate followup of 5 years of longer of 114 patients who had transurethral resection for cure or control of bladder tumors and in whom there were 1 or more recurrences is reported. There was recurrence of the tumor in a higher grade in 19 per cent of the cases and in a higher stage in 22 per cent. The interval between the treatment of the original tumor and a recurrence in a higher grade or state varied from 0.25 (3 months) to 27 years. When a low grade or low stage tumor recurs in a higher category in less than 3 years more aggressive treatment should be considered.