OBJECTIVETo determine the feasibility of single dose intravesical epirubicin in the prevention of recurrent superficial bladder carcinoma.

METHODSWe compared the effect of intravesical epirubicin or mitomycin C on tumor recurrence and disease free interval and their side effects after treatment of superficial bladder tumor. 47 postoperative patients with stages Ta to T1 primary superficial bladder carcinoma of grades 1 or 2 were randomized into groups A: single 80 mg epirubicin; B: 40 mg consecutive epirubicin; C: 40 mg consecutive mitomycin C. Patients were followed up for clinical, analytical, and cystoscopic evaluations every 3 months.

RESULTSThe disease free intervals of the three groups were found no significant differences (F = 3.25, P > 0.05). The recurrence rate was 6.25% (1/16), 13.3% (2/15), 12.5% (2/16) (chi(2) = 0.496, P > 0.05) in groups A, B, and C at 1 year, and 33.3% (5/15), 26.7% (4/15), 25% (4/16) (chi(2) = 0.290, P > 0.05) at 3 years after operation, respectively. Side effects of group A (13.3%) were lower than those of group B (46.7%) or C (43.8%) (chi(2) = 14.56, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSingle dose of epirubicin given intravesically immediately after tumor resection is effective in preventing tumor recurrence.