[The prevention of stage-T1 superficial bladder tumors with 27 mg. of BCG weekly over 6 weeks].

Objective: To evaluate the utility of prophylactic treatment of stage T1 superficial tumors of the bladder with 27 mg BCG weekly for 6 weeks and to compare the results reported in the literature.

Methods: BCG instillations were offered to 235 patients and was accepted by 111 (group A) and refused by 124 (group B). Three weeks thereafter, intravesical instillation of 27 mg BCG was administered for 6 weeks. The patients were controlled regularly according to the standard control procedures utilized in our setting.

Results: 39% of the patients in group A showed recurrence versus 71.7% of those in group B (p < 0.001). No differences in progression of tumor stage was observed; 6.3% for group A and 10.9% for group B. By grade, significant differences were found in the number of recurrence in those with G1 (28.5% vs 69%; p < 0.001) and G2 (47% vs 72%; p < 0.01) tumors, but not for G3 (53% vs 77%; p = n.s.). No differences were found in the number of progressions. For those with G2 and G3, the results were not as good as those reported in the literature. The incidence of toxicity was 33%.

Conclusions: The results achieved in patients with G2 and especially G3 tumors were not as good as those reported in the literature, therefore we do not recommend this approach. For those with G1 tumors and assuming a toxicity rate of 33%, the results are similar to those reported elsewhere using higher doses, and therefore this approach could be utilized.