Complete transurethral resection of ulcers in classic interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic disease of obscure etiology. It com monly affects females, who present with symptoms of pain on bladder filling and urinary frequency. There are two types of IC: classic and non-ulcer di sease, which differ in many respects, including response to different thera pies. In this retrospective study we evaluated the hitherto largest series of patients with classic IC treated by transurethral resection (TUR) of vis ible ulcers. Altogether 259 TURs of Hunner ulcers were performed on 103 pat ients: 92 experienced amelioration, and in 40% symptom relief lasted more t han 3 years. In the remaining patients, although symptom recurrence was com mon, the majority responded well to subsequent TUR. In conclusion, TUR has a good outcome in patients with classic interstitial cystitis, and we sugge st it as first-line treatment in this patient group.