INTRAVESICAL PROPHYLAXIS OF SUPERFICIAL BLADDER-CANCER WITH BCG AND KLH - A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL

In a prospective randomized trial intravesical prophylaxis for recurrence of superficial bladder cancer with BCG versus KLH was performed in 42 patients, 38 of whom were then evaluable. After a mean observation period of 20 +/- 7 months (8-32 months) 41.2% (7/17) of the patients in the KLH and 14.3% (3/21) of the patients in the BCG group developed recurrent bladder tumours. The recurrence rate according to EORTC was 1.95 in the KLH group versus 0.76 in the BCG group. Among the BCG treated patients, 60% (15/25) had cystitis and 28% (7/25) fever, whereas only 1 of 19 (5.3%) patients treated with KLH had cystitis. BCG is a highly effective prophylactic against recurrence of superficial bladder cancer. Intravesical instillation therapy with KLH has only a slight prophylactic effect if treatment is started 6 weeks postoperatively.