Adjuvant chemotherapy of superficial transitional cell bladder carcinoma: preliminary results of a European organization for research on treatment of cancer. Randomized trial comparing doxorubicin hydrochloride, ethoglucid and transurethral resection alone

Abstract

Patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were entered in a randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacies of transurethral resection alone or followed by bladder instillation of doxorubicin hydrochloride or ethoglucid (Epodyl) for 1 year. Results showed that adjuvant chemotherapy with the selected drugs prolonged the mean interval between recurrences. Mild systemic toxicity and chemical cystitis were observed in 3 and 3 per cent, respectively, of the patients given ethoglucid, and in 5 and 4 per cent, respectively, of those taking doxorubicin.