Administration of a retinoid as prophylaxis of recurrent non-invasive bladder tumors.

A controlled study has been conducted to ascertain whether administration for 8 months of a vitamin A-acid analog, Tigason, could prevent recurrences of non-invasive bladder tumors. Eligible were 73 patients, 33 in the Tigason group, and 40 in the placebo group. The results indicate that Tigason, as used in this study, is ineffective as prophylaxis. Side effects to Tigason urged 17 patients to drop out from the study mostly due to symptoms from skin and mucous membranes. The discussion considers different reasons for the lack of effect and concludes that more tolerable vitamin A-acid analogs are needed if further studies of prevention of non-invasive bladder tumors are to be carried out.