Current use and questions concerning intravesical bladder cancer group forsuperficial bladder cancer

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the most effective therapy for CIS of the bladder. Although several series have shown a decrease in recurrence and pr ogression of T1 tumor, this effect is temporary. More than one half of pati ents with T1 tumors treated with BCG will progress over the longterm. A sec ond course of BCG is indicated after an initial complete response. There is no definitive answer regarding the efficacy of maintenance therapy or the optimum dose of BCG. Randomized trials are needed to address these issues i n a more conclusive manner. Phase III trials have shown that mitomycin C ca n be as effective as BCG in the management of papillary tumors; however, BC G is more effective in patients with CIS and high-risk superficial tumors.