$Unique_ID{BRK01133}
$Pretitle{Genitourinary System}
$Title{"BCG" as a Bladder Cancer Treatment}
$Subject{bladder cancer treatment}
$Volume{J-16}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


"BCG" as a Bladder Cancer Treatment


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QUESTION:  After the necessary tests and biopsy, I am told by my doctor that I
have a type of bladder cancer that should respond to a new treatment called
"BCG".  I understand that this is a bacteria that causes tuberculosis, and do
not understand how this is used to treat my disease.  I can't find any
information about it, and hope you may be able to explain it to me.  Please!

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ANSWER:  Little wonder that you are confused, for this is a brand new
development in the treatment of a type of a carcinoma of the bladder known as
carcinoma-in-situ.  The medication, just recently approved for this use by the
Food and Drug Administration is called TheraCys, and is manufactured by
Connaght Laboratories Limited, of Toronto, Canada.  The letters "BCG" stand
for the "bacillus of Calmette and Geurin" two French researchers who cultured
a strain tuberculosis bacteria in eggs, until it lost its ability to produce
the disease in man, but could still stimulate the immune response.  Though it
was first used as a vaccine for this purpose in 1924, it is still considered
controversial, and while it is used in most third world countries, it is not
widely used in the United States.  In 1976, Dr. Alvero Morales of Queen's
University, in Kingston Ontario, documented that a different formulation and
concentration of BCG was effective in the treatment of bladder cancer
patients.  The treatment begins from 7 to 14 days after a biopsy or bladder
surgery, when the medication is placed into the bladder itself.  This is
repeated each week for six weeks (induction therapy), after which it is
followed up by a maintenance schedule given at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months
following the initial treatment.  The most common adverse reactions are
flu-like symptoms including fever, chills and malaise.  The clinical studies
showed a average complete response rate, that is no recurrence of tumors, of
74 percent. as compared to 42 percent with adriamycin, another cancer fighting
drug.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
