Interferon alpha for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer.

Abstract

The main problems that the patient with superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) faces are the lifelong risk of tumor recurrence, and the risk of tumor progression and death secondary to cancer. Historically, cystectomy was the primary and only availible treatment option for patients who had recurrent bladder cancer or carcinoma in situ (CIS). However, the development of topical (intravesical) therapies for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder has revolutionized the management of both superficial papillary tumors, and of flat carcinoma in situ. Due to the discovery of intravesical agents that have biologic activity against superficial TCC of the bladder (such as Bacillus Calmette-Guerrin (BCG) and Mitomycin), the mortality rate from bladder cancer has decreased despite a concurrent increase in the incidence of this malignancy.1