Treatment of carcinoma in situ of the bladder with BCG

Summary Although carcinoma in situ conveys the idea of an early neoplasm, such lesions in the bladder mucosa commonly exhibit a very aggressive behavior and carry a grave prognosis. Seven patients with in situ carcinoma of the bladder have been treated with intravesical and systemic administration of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Elimination of tumor was documented by endoscopy, histology and cytology in five patients. These five patients have remained tumor-free for periods ranging between 12 and 33 months (mean: 22.6). This preliminary study indicates that regional and systemic immunotherapy is an alternative worth additional investigation in patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder.