10-year single-center experience of combined intravesical chemohyperthermia for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer

Aim: Owing to the limited efficacy and significant toxicity of most topical intravesical agents for the management of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), a search for new therapeutic modalities continues. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a relatively new modality, combined intravesical chemotherapy and hyperthermia, using the intravesical chemohyperthermia system. Methods: The data summarize our 10 years of experience in the Department of Urology at Bnai Zion Medical Center, Israel. Ninety two patients with NMIBC (88 evaluable) were treated according to the adjuvant (66 patients) and the neoadjuvant (26 patients) protocols, with up to 7 years follow-up. Results: Over the follow-up period, 56 out of 64 patients (72%) treated according to the adjuvant protocol remained free from recurrences. The progression rate was 4.7% (three out of 64 patients). An initial complete response was documented in 19 out of 24 patients (79%) treated according to the neoadjuvant protocol. During the follow...