Evaluation of the Dwell-Time and Dose Difference in Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guèrin Therapy

Abstract

Objective: Bacillus Calmette-Guèrin (BCG) intravesical therapy is currently established using a low dose because<br />of the high incidence of side-effects. Moreover, shortening the dwell time of BCG is conducted in some facilities owing<br />to the complications associated with a long dwell time after injection. The method of BCG administration varies in<br />each facility and even with each doctor. We evaluated whether the dwell-time and dose differences in patients who<br />underwent intravesical BCG therapy is related to completion rates, adverse effects, and nonrecurrence rates. Methods:<br />From November 2006 to April 2016, a total of 173 patients who received intravesical BCG therapy after transurethral<br />resection of bladder tumor or transurethral biopsy were evaluated retrospectively. We allocated them into 4 groups based<br />on the dose (40 or 80 mg BCG) and the dwell time (1 or 2 hours). Completion rate, side effects, and nonrecurrence<br />rates were evaluated. Results: No significant improvement in the completion rate or reduction in side-effects was<br />observed in any of the regimens. Although nonrecurrence rates for the 1-hour dwell time tended to be lower than the<br />2-hour dwell time, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: Our study suggests that reducing the BCG dose or<br />shortening the dwell time does not reduce adverse effects or affect the nonrecurrence rate.