INTRAVESICAL RECURRENCE AND MALIGNANT PROGRESSION IN SUPERFICIAL BLADDER TUMOR

Abstract

Tumors in 515 patients presenting initially with superficial bladder tumor (Ta, Tl) were analyzed for intravesical recurrence and malignant progression during a follow-up period of at least 2 years (average 3 years and a half). Intravesical recurrence was found in 237 cases and malignant progression in 38 cases. Significant risk factors for intravesical recurrence were initially multiple tumor, positive cytology and grade 2 tumor. Significant risk factors for malignant progression were positive cytology, histologically high grade tumor and frequent (more than once a year) intravesical recurrence. Growth pattern, size and multiplicity of the initial tumor were likely to related to progression but were not significant factors. Patient with these risk factors should be carefully followed up and urine cytology during the follow-up period seemed to play an important role in early detection of malignant progression.