Objective: We compared the efficacy of transurethral resection alone or transurethral resection followed by bladder instillations of Doxorubicin for 1 year in patients with superficial bladder carcinoma, and followed them long term for the incidence of recurrence and progression to muscle invasion.
Materials and methods: Between December 1998 and December 2000 a total of 69 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of bladder participated in this prospective study. Final analysis of treatment results included 64 patients. Doxorubicin was administered to 25 patients, 39 patients were treated only by TUR. Patients were followed by control cystoscopy.
Results: The mean follow-up was 22.95 months; SD 7.79. Mean time to first recurrence in Doxorubicin group was 14.14 months; SD 7.84, in TUR alone group - 7.61 months; SD 4.4; p>0.05. Disease free survival was significantly prolonged in Doxorubicin group; p<0.05. There are no significant difference to comparison recurrence rate and progression rate between two groups.
Conclusions: In regard to time of first recurrence and disease free survival this study indicates that adjuvant chemotherapy with Doxorubicin is superior to transurethral resection alone. However, progression in stage or recurrence rate was not influenced by the treatment regimen.