Intravesical Therapy of Low Stage Bladder Carcinoma with Mitomycin C: Comparison of Results in Untreated and Previously Treated Patients

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients with superficial bladder carcinoma ([stage] Ta, Tl or TIS) were entered into protocols for intravesical therapy with mitomycin C. Of the 28 patients, 16 failed previously on thiotepa (group A), 7 had responded successfully to thiotepa (group B) and 5 never received thiotepa (group C). There were 5 complete responses and 9 failures to mitomycin C therapy in group A. There were 5 and 4 complete responses to mitomycin C therapy in groups B and C, respectively. The treatment plan consisted of the instillation of 40 mg mitomycin C in 40 ml water/wk for 8 wk. Because of severe local irritative symptoms, 3 of the 28 patients did not complete the course of therapy. In another patient a diffuse body rash developed after the 3rd instillation. Mitomycin C seems effective in ablating low stage bladder carcinoma, although it is less effective in patients who have failed prior thiotepa therapy.