Natural history of superficial bladder tumors: 10- to 20-year follow-up of treated patients.

Superficial bladder tumors (Ta, Tl, Tis) account for 80% of primary bladder cancers. Transurethral resection and intravesical therapy are successful in controlling the majority of these tumors for up to 5 years. However, patients with multiple or recurrent Ta, Tl and Tis bladder cancer have a lifelong risk of developing stage progression and upper tract tumors. One-half are at risk of having cystectomy eventually and one-third are at risk over a 15-20 year period of dying of bladder cancer.