For recurrent or high-grade superficial TCC in the bladder, which treatment option is commonly used?

Intravesical BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) therapy is a commonly used treatment option for patients with recurrent or high-grade superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. This approach involves administering a weakened form of the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis directly into the bladder through a catheter. The intention behind this therapy is to stimulate an immune response against the cancer cells, thereby reducing the recurrence rates and effectively managing the disease.

BCG has demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing progression of high-grade superficial bladder tumors and has become the standard of care for this type of TCC. It is particularly indicated after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) to minimize the chances of recurrence.

Other treatment options like radical cystectomy, urethrectomy, and systemic immunotherapy can be employed in different scenarios but are not the first-line treatments for recurrent or high-grade superficial TCC. Radical cystectomy is more invasive and typically reserved for muscle-invasive bladder cancers or cases where other treatments have failed. Urethrectomy is not applicable in the context of superficial bladder cancer as it focuses primarily on the urethra. Immunotherapy, while an emerging field, is generally applied to advanced stages rather