OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and efficacy of conventional monopolar transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and 2-micron continuous-wave laser resection (2-µm laser) techniques in the management of multiple nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), and to investigate long-term effects on tumour recurrence.
METHODS: Patients with multiple NMIBC were randomized to receive TURBT or 2-µm laser in a nonblinded manner. All patients received intravesical chemotherapy with epirubicin (40 mg/40 ml) for 8 weeks, beginning 1 week after surgery, followed with monthly maintenance therapy for 12 months. Three-year follow-up data of preoperative, operative and postoperative management were recorded.
RESULTS: In total, 120 patients were included: 56 in the TURBT group and 64 in the 2-µm laser group. Intra- and postoperative complications (including bladder perforation, bleeding and irritation) were less frequently observed in the 2-µm laser group compared with the TURBT group. There were no significant differences in first time to recurrence, overall recurrence or occurrence of urethral strictures.
CONCLUSIONS: The 2-µm laser resection method was more effective than TURBT in reducing rates of intra- and postoperative complications, but offered no additional benefit regarding tumour recurrence.
Written by:
Liu H, Wu J, Xue S, Zhang Q, Ruan Y, Sun X, Xia S. Are you the author?
University Department of Urology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Reference: J Int Med Res. 2013 Jun 12. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1177/0300060513477001
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23760914
UroToday.com Bladder Cancer Section
