There is a strange lack of long term studies for T1 tumors, but an excellent article has recently been published on the subject of T1 tumors treated with BCG:
Urology
Volume 69, Issue 1 , January 2007, Pages 78-82
For the full article, online free:
www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VJW-4MY1VKJ-W&_user=10&_coverDate=01%2F31%2F2007&_rdoc=25&_fmt=full&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236105%232007%23999309998%23643145%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6105&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=64&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=c4eb62609ecf93b0cba74b87d8d9b06c
Long-Term Follow-up of Patients with Stage T1 High-Grade Transitional Cell Carcinoma Managed by Bacille Calmette-Guérin Immunotherapy
David Margela, b, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Raanan Tala, b, Shai Golana, b, Dani Kedara, b, Dov Engelsteina, b and Jack Baniela, b
aInstitute of Urology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqwa, Israel
bTel Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
Received 23 February 2006; accepted 8 September 2006. Available online 30 January 2007.
Abstract
Objectives
To report the long-term outcome of patients with Stage T1 high-grade transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated initially by transurethral resection and adjuvant intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin.
Methods
From June 1984 to November 1995, 78 consecutive patients with Stage T1 high-grade bladder cancer underwent transurethral resection and adjuvant intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin therapy. The results at the interim follow-up (median 56 months) were reported in 1998. The median duration of follow-up for the present study was 107 months (range 16 to 238). The endpoints were tumor recurrence (Stage Ta, T1, or Tis), tumor progression (to T2 or greater), and disease-specific survival.
Results
Of the 78 patients, 34 (44%) were alive for the present analysis and 44 (56%) had died, 12 (16%) of transitional cell carcinoma and 32 (72%) of other causes. Recurrence was documented in 27 patients (35%) at a median of 8.5 months (range 5 to 129) after treatment, and progression in 14 patients (18%) at a median of 31.4 months (range 5 to 88) after treatment. The 2, 5, and 10-year recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival rates were 76%, 72%, and 62% and 92%, 82%, and 80%, respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival rates were 99%, 90%, and 85%. Disease progression occurred in 10 (37%) of 27 patients with recurrence, of whom 9 died. Of the 14 patients with disease progression, 12 died of their disease.
Conclusions
Bacille Calmette-Guérin is an effective conservative treatment for patients with Stage T1 high-grade bladder cancer. More than one half the recurrences appeared within the first year, but a small risk remains throughout the patient’s life. Progression during follow-up appears to carry a high risk of cancer-specific death.