Re: The Effect of Restaging Transurethral Resection on Recurrence and Progression Rates in Patients with Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treated with Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
Abstract
The authors present a retrospective evaluation of data for 1021 patients treated between 1994 and 2006 with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). They attempt to demonstrate the impact of a restaging/second transurethral resection of the bladder (2nd TURB) performed 2-6 wk after initial resection on treatment outcomes.
The 2nd TURB before initiation of BCG therapy was performed in 894 patients, whereas 127 patients received BCG immediately after initial resection. All patients were treated with 6-weekly intravesical administration of Connaught strain BCG without maintenance therapy.
After completion of the BCG regimen, patients were assessed regularly using office cystoscopy, cytology, and, if indicated, 2nd TURB.