Ces Urol 1999, 3(3):35-38

Side effects of imunotherapeutic treatment with BCG vaccine in surface tumors of urinary bladder

P. Dušek, I. HyršI, I. Kawaciuk

Urologická klinika 2. IF UK Praha a FN Motol

This article summarises in side effects of BCG immunotherapy of superficial bladder cancer at 23 patients treated in department of urology Faculty Hospital Prague-Motol in 1992 -1997. In our group average age was 64 years. The group was made up of 18 men and 5 women. During the first 6 weeks cycle of treatment it was noticed irritative symptoms in 39,1 % and during maintenance therapy in 18,1 % of the patients. Hematuria was found during the first cycle in 34,7 % ana during maintenance therapy in 18,1 % of the patients. Combination of both symptoms appeared in 17,4 % during the first cycle of imunotherapy and 9,1 % during maintenance therapy.
Fever to 38,5 °C for longer time then two days had appeared in 4,3 % patients. In 8,7 % patients during the first 6 weeks cycles was temperature below 38,5 °C only at the first day of application.
Flu - like symptoms has appeared in 13 % of our patients during the basic cycle of BCG immunotherapy. Very unusual complication of BCG immunotherapy was activation of latent gonorrhoic epididymitis at one 71 age man treated for Tis of bladder.

Keywords: Superficial bladder cancer, BCG vaccine, Side effects

Published: June 1, 1999