[Management of Internal Ureteral Stent (Double J-Stent) Occlusion].

Occlusion of internal ureteral stents commonly called double-J (DJ) stent leads to renal dysfunction, urinary tract infection, and difficulty in replacing the stent. We investigated the cause of stent occlusion and whether DJ stent occlusion persisted with change in the type of stent. The internal ureteral stent, Bird® Inlay™ Optima or Boston Scientific® Tria™, was inserted in 43 ureters of 33 patients who underwent replacement more than three times between September 2017 and June 2020. We defined stent occlusion as follows: a guide wire could not be passed through a stent during the replacement. In the first occlusion, the type of stent was changed. In the second occlusion, the stent placement interval was shortened from 12-13 weeks to 6-8 weeks. The presence of urinary stone and insertion of a urethral catheter had a high risk of DJ stent occlusion. Stent occlusion was observed in 20 of the 43 ureters. After the type of stent in 20 ureters with stent occlusion was changed, there were no DJ stent occlusions in 16 of the 20 ureters. Nevertheless, in 4 of the 20 ureters, even if we changed the type, DJ stent occlusion was still present; hence, the replacement interval was shortened. Therefore, changing the type of stent may be a recommended intervention for DJ stent occlusion.

Periprostatic fat thickness quantified by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging is an independent risk factor for upstaging from cT1/2 to pT3 in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the correlation between periprostatic fat thickness on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and upstaging from cT1/2 to pT3 in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data from men with cT1/2 prostate cancer treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at Nara Prefecture General Medical Center, Nara, Japan, between March 2013 and December 2017. We calculated the periprostatic fat thickness and subcutaneous thickness from preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. We divided the cohort into two groups for analysis. Group 1 included patients upstaged from clinical to pathological stage, whereas group 2 included those without upstaging. RESULTS: Data on 220 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. A total of 36 patients were upstaged from clinical T1 or T2 to pathological T3, whereas 184 patients were not upstaged. The upstaging was associated with prostate volume, Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen density, periprostatic fat thickness, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score based on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed prostate volume (P = 0.03, odds ratio 0.958, 95% confidence interval 0.921-0.996), Gleason score (P = 0.022, odds ratio 2.676, 95% confidence interval 1.153-6.213) and periprostatic fat thickness (P = 0.004, odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval 1.079-1.471) as independent risk factors of upstaging. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate volume, Gleason score and periprostatic fat thickness on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging are significantly associated with and independent risk factors for upstaging from cT1/2 to pT3 in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

The diagnostic utility of retroperitoneoscopic tissue biopsy for unresectable retroperitoneal lesions excluding urogenital cancers.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal tumors are an uncommon disease known to consist of a diverse group of benign and malignant neoplasms. Treatment of unresectable retroperitoneal lesions requires pathological diagnosis. Here, we report the utility and safety of retroperitoneoscopic biopsy for unresectable retroperitoneal lesions excluding urogenital cancers. METHODS: We analyzed 47 patients consisting of 23 (49%) and 24 (51%) cases that underwent retroperitoneoscopic tissue biopsy and open biopsy, respectively. The clinicopathological features, including postoperative complications, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Tumor pathology was diagnosed successfully with a single operation in all patients. Malignant pathology (68%) was more common than benign pathology (32%). The most common pathology was malignant lymphoma, which accounted for about 50% of all cases. There was no significant difference with respect to the age, sex, tumor size, presence of tumor-related symptom, histopathology, operative time, and complications. Three (13%) of 23 patients in the retroperitoneoscopic biopsy group received percutaneous needle biopsy before laparoscopic excisional biopsy because the evaluation of needle cores failed to confirm subclasses of diagnosed pathologies. One patient was converted to open surgery just after the initiation of operation due to severe adhesion of adjacent structures. We had two cases with iatrogenic urinoma due to ureteral injury after retroperitoneoscopic biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that retroperitoneoscopic biopsy is a safe and useful tool for benign and malignant retroperitoneal lesions, in comparison to open biopsy. It is critical to carefully examine the preoperative imaging for the location of tumors, especially those close to the renal pelvis and ureter.

Clinical benefit of early treatment with bone-modifying agents for preventing skeletal-related events in patients with genitourinary cancer with bone metastasis: A multi-institutional retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical benefit of bone-modifying agents and identify the risk factors of skeletal-related events in patients with genitourinary cancer with newly diagnosed bone metastasis. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study including a total of 650 patients with bone metastasis of the following cancer types: hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (n = 443), castration-resistant prostate cancer (n = 50), renal cell carcinoma (n = 80) and urothelial carcinoma (n = 77). Clinical factors at the time of diagnosis of bone metastasis were analyzed. Early treatment with bone-modifying agents was defined as follows: administration of bone-modifying agents before the development of skeletal-related events and within 6 months from the diagnosis of bone metastasis. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (median 19.0 months, interquartile range 6.0-43.8 months), skeletal-related events were reported in 88 (20%) patients with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, 17 (34%) patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, 58 (73%) patients with renal cell carcinoma and 34 (44%) patients with urothelial carcinoma. Early treatment with bone-modifying agents significantly prolonged the time to the first skeletal-related event in castration-resistant prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma, but not in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Bone pain and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels were independent predictive risk factors of the first skeletal-related event. The subgroup analysis showed that early treatment with bone-modifying agents was associated with prolonged time to the first skeletal-related events in patients with bone pain or elevated alkaline phosphatase levels. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with bone-modifying agents should be considered, especially for patients with bone pain and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, to prevent skeletal-related events in patients with genitourinary cancer with bone metastasis.

[Pubic Bone Osteomyelitis in Patient with Prostate Cancer after Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy; A Case Report].

A 72-old man had undergone robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer (cT2aN0M0). He was referred to us with a complaint of lower abdominal pain, pain at the bilateral inner thigh, gait disturbance and persistent pyuria three months after surgery. A pelvic MRI revealed inflammation of the pubic area, and pubic bone osteomyelitis was suspected. He was admitted and administered doripenem hydrate (DRPM) intravenously for 3 weeks. The symnptoms of gait disturbance, pain at the bilateral inner thigh, and lower abdominal pain were improved gradually. Levofloxacin hydrate (LVFX）wa s administered orally for 8 weeks subsequently. He has been followed and has had no recurrence of these symptoms.

[Migration of Hem-o-Lok Clips into the Urinary Bladder Used during Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy].

Recently, robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) has become a widely accepted surgical alternative for the treatment of prostate cancer. The intravesical migration of clips is a rare surgical complication of RALP. From March2013 to July 2018, 320 patients underwent RALP at our hospital. Migration of a Hem-o-Lok clip into the urinary bladder occurred in 4 of the 320 patients (1.3%). We analyzed these 4 patients in terms of subjective symptoms, intra- and post-operative findings, site of the migrated clip, and its treatment. The mean duration from RALP to the diagnosis was 13.8 months (2-26 months). The main symptoms due to migrated clips were : narrowed urinary stream, perineal pain, gross hematuria, and painful urination. In all cases, the size of the migrated clip was medium-large, and the events developed on the side contralateral to the first assistant. The clips were transurethrally removed using a Holmium-laser in 2 patients, and spontaneous excretion was observed in 1. The remaining patient has been asymptomatic and is being conservatively observed. In order to prevent the migration of clips used during RALP, the size of the clips and direction of the clip tail may be important. The first assistant should place the clips carefully, especially on the contralateral side.

[Iatrogenic Injuries of Urinary Tract : Outcomes of Surgical Repairs].

Iatrogenic urinary tract injuries are known complications of digestive and pelvic surgeries. We retrospectively reviewed 13 patients with bladder injuries and 16 patients with ureteral injuries requiring surgical repair or stent placement in our hospital between 2013 and 2016. Obstetric-gynecologic surgery accounted for 10 bladder injuries and 11 ureteral injuries on hysterectomy and Cesarean section. Digestive surgery led to 1 bladder injury and 5 ureteral injuries on colon resection, and urologic surgery resulted in 1 injury on biopsy of a retroperitoneal tumor. Regarding bladder injuries, 10 patients underwent cystorrhaphy, and 3 patients received indwelling of a transurethral Foley catheter alone. Concerning ureteral injuries, 7 patients underwent repair of the injured ureter (ureteroneocystostomy in 5, and ureteroureterostomy in 2), and 9 patients received ureteral stent placement after postoperative retrograde urography. Repair failure was defined when urine leakage, urinary fistula, or urinary stricture requiring ureteral stent placement still existed at 90 days after the repair treatment. The bladder injuries in all 13 cases were successfully repaired. The ureteral injury treatments in 7 out of 16 patients (43.8%) were judged as being unsuccessful because of the condition requiring a ureteral stent at 90 days. There was a correlation between the delayed diagnosis of ureteral injury and unsuccessful repair. The present study showed that the prompt identification of urinary tract injuries, especially ureteral injuries, can result in decreased morbidity andsubsequently improved outcomes.

[Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy for Patient with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Case Report].

A 69-year-old man who had a history of several nasal hemorrhages and transfusions presented with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. He was referred to the previous hospital due to the elevation of prostate specific antigen (PSA) to 17.2 ng/ml, and was diagnosed with prostate cancer (cT3aN0M0, Gleason 4 + 5). He was referred to our hospital for the treatment of prostate cancer. Contrast lung computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging did not show arteriovenous fistula in either the lung or brain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed capillary dilatations in the gastric mucosa. Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with Trendelenburg position under general anesthesia was performed. Tracheal intubation was made using bronchofiberscopy. A gastric tube was not inserted. Intra- and postoperative course was uneventful, and there has been no elevation of PSA during the eight months followed.

[Bladder Rupture during Intravesical BCG Therapy : A Case Report].

A 69-year-old man received transurethral resection (TUR) ofbladder tumor. The histopathological diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma, high grade, pT1＋pTis. The surgical specimens obtained by second TUR showed no residual malignancy histopathologically. Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation therapy was initiated 2 months after the second TUR. He complained of lower abdominal pain and painful urination on the day following the second instillation of BCG. Computed tomography and cystography demonstrated rupture ofthe urinary bladder. During 2 weeks ofconservative treatment, the symptoms persisted. Then, open repair ofthe bladder was performed. Intravesical BCG therapy has been a widely accepted treatment for bladder cancer with high grade Ta and T1, and carcinoma in situ. In the present case, thinning ofthe bladder wall, delayed wound healing caused by 2 TURs, and abdominal pressure may have been the factors leading to the bladder rupture in addition to inflammation of the bladder due to BCG instillation. Although bladder rupture caused by intravesical BCG therapy has not been reported, we must be aware ofthe possibility ofthis rare condition, especially after 2 consecutive TURs.

[Acute Urinary Retention Caused by Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis : A Case Report].

An 11-year-old boy was referred to our department with the chief complaint of acute urinary retention. He had had a history of viral enteritis a few days before the onset of dysuria. He presented with a slight fever, mild headache and weakness of the extremities. A cerebrospinal fluid examination showed the elevation of cell number (cell number : 158/3, polynuclear cells : 29/3, and mononuclear cells : 129/3). Although spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not show abnormal findings, fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) image of the brain MRI showed a high signal area on the cerebral cortex. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) was suspected from the clinical course, the cerebrospinal fluid examination, and brain MRI findings. A urethral catheter was indwelled for urinary retention, and steroid pulse therapy was promptly started. After removal of the urethral catheter seven days after the therapy initiation, normal urination without residual urine was observed. Findings of a cerebrospinal fluid test and brain MRI also showed improvement.

[Ureteral Cancer Developing in Retrocaval Ureter : A Case Report].

Ureteral cancer in the retrocaval ureter is rare. We herein report a patient with this condition laparoscopically treated. A 69-year-old man was referred to us because of right ureteral cancer diagnosed during ureteroscopic surgery for a ureteral calculus. Histological diagnosis of the ureteroscopically biopsied material was non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma, low grade (G2). Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a retrocaval ureter : a double J stent placed during ureteroscopy assisted the diagnosis. The patient underwent retroperitoneoscopic complete nephroureterectomy on the right side. Sufficient separation of the right ureter and the inferior vena cava under retroperitoneoscopic procedures facilitated en bloc extirpation of the kidney and ureter with a minimal lower abdominal incision. The surgical procedures for ureteral cancer in the retrocaval ureter, should be preoperatively considered with care.

[Laparoscopic Non-Ischemic Partial Nephrectomy Using a Microwave Tissue Coagulator : A Single-Institutional Study].

We retrospectively investigated the surgical outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), perioperative complications, and residual renal function in patients receiving laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator (MTC). Between January 2002 and December 2015, laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using MTC was performed in 49 patients. The histological diagnosis was RCC in 38 patients, angiomyolipoma in 4, oncocytoma in 2, and others in 5. A histologicallyproven positive surgical margin was observed in 1 (2.0%). Postoperative urine leakage occurred in 1, and it was treated conservatively. The mean follow-up period was 32.0 months. Although there was no patient who died of RCC, local recurrence occurred in 2 patients (4.1%) during the follow-up period. One of these 2 patients had a positive surgical margin. Deterioration of the residual renal function was not observed. Laparoscopic non-ischemic partial nephrectomy using MTC was safe and useful in terms of cancer control and preservation of renal function.

[Investigation of incidence and risk factors of subcutaneous granulomas induced by injection of leuprorelin acetate].

We investigated the incidence of granuloma and its related factors in 180 patients with prostate cancer who showed subcutaneous granuloma formation during androgen deprivation therapy with subcutaneously administered leuprorelin acetate. A granuloma was defined as a persistent induration over 30 mm in diameter in the injected portion. Small indurations which often developed and disappeared after every injection were excluded. The survey was performed using a questionnaire after receiving written informed consent. Among the 180 patients with prostate cancer, 21 (11.7%) developed a granuloma at the injection portion, and subsequently the injection of leuprorelin acetate had to be discontinued. Eighteen of the 21 patients alternatively received goserelin acetate. Three patients had high-grade granulomas with ulcer and abscess formation, and were successfully treated with oral antibiotics. The average duration between the first injection of leuprorelin acetate and granuloma formation was 20.2 months (range : 4 to 62 months). There was no association between granuloma formation and patient backgrounds, such as allergic predisposition and past history. Twenty-one of the 180 prostatic cancer patients developed subcutaneous granuloma induced by the injection of leuprorelin acetate. The investigation showed an unexpectedly high incidence of granuloma formation. We must explain the risk of developing subcutaneous granuloma to the patients before introducing leuprorelin acetate.

External beam radiation plus concurrent intra-arterial chemotherapy with low dose cisplatin for muscle invasive bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the long-term outcome of trimodality therapy consisting of transurethral resection of bladder tumor, external beam radiation therapy, and concurrent intra-arterial low dose cisplatin for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 37 consecutive patients (28 men and 9 women) who underwent trimodality therapy for T2-3N0M0 bladder cancer at our hospital between 1996 and 2011. A total of 60Gy of external beam radiation therapy was administered. A daily low dose of cisplatin was administered intra-arterially through a subcutaneously placed reservoir on the days of radiation therapy. Complete response was defined as no residual cancer in transurethral resection specimens and negative cytology. When a complete response could not be achieved, patients underwent additional intra-arterial chemotherapy. RESULTS: Five-year cause specific, disease free, and overall survival rates were 86.4%, 69.7%, and 69.6%, respectively, with a mean follow-up period of 56.5 ± 6.1 months. Five-year cause specific survivals of the complete response group after the trimodality therapy, the complete response group after additional intra-arterial chemotherapy and the non-complete response group were 100% (n = 21), 85.9% (n = 9) and 0% (n = 7), respectively. Five-year overall survivals of the complete response group after the trimodality therapy, the complete response group after additional intra-arterial chemotherapy and the non-complete response group were 82.8%, 85.3% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This trimodality therapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer could achieve favorable survival rates with bladder preservation and minimal adverse events. This trimodality therapy can be one of the useful treatment options.

[Solitary metastasis to the pancreas of renal cell carcinoma : a case report].

A 62-year-old man had undergone retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy for left renal cell carcinoma at the age of 57 years. The histopathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma of the kidney (G2, pT2a, INF ß). Five years postoperatively, enhanced computed tomography demonstrated strongly enhanced tumors on the pancreatic head and body. No other metastatic lesion was detected. Pancreatic endocrine tumors were not ruled out. The patient underwent enucleation of the pancreatic head tumor and distal pancreatectomy. The histopathological diagnosis of the tumors was metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patients with renal cell carcinoma should receive a long-term follow-up to detect possible metastatic lesions other than the common metastatic sites such as the lung and bones.

[IgG4-related prostatitis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis: a case report].

A 70-year-old male was referred to our hospital because of an abnormally high prostate specific antigen (PSA) level (4.4 ng/ml) associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Needle biopsy of the prostate did not reveal any malignant tissue. Four months later, the patient presented again with hydronephrosis, which was diagnosed using ultrasonography. Furthermore, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed left hydronephrosis caused by a soft tissue mass around the left iliac artery compressing the left ureter. Serum IgG4 level was 918 mg/dl. On immunohistochemical reevaluation of the prostate biopsy specimens, the samples were positive for IgG4 immunostaining. The patient was finally diagnosed with IgG4-related prostatitis with retroperitoneal fibrosis. With steroid therapy, the hydronephrosis and urinary symptoms were ameliorated. Our experience with this case suggests that in a male patient with urinary symptoms, biopsy of the prostate may be useful for exact diagnosis when IgG4-related disease is suspected.

[Postoperative vesico ureteral reflux recurrence diagnosed by positioning the instillation of contrast cystography : a case report].

A 5-year-old boy was diagnosed with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) at the age of 2 months. Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) showed grade IV reflux on the left side. Left ureterocystoneostomy was performed at 11 months because of recurrent febrile UTI under antibiotic prophylaxis. VCUG 1 year after surgery showed no reflux. The patient developed acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN) when he was 4 years and 2 months of age, and experienced 3 episodes of AFBN during the following 9 months. The patient had normal urinary and bowel habits. Although VCUG showed no recurrence of reflux, AFBN developed in spite of antibiotic prophylaxis. Positioning the instillation of contrast (PIC) cystography under general anesthesia demonstrated the left occult reflux. Endoscopic injection with Deflux○R was performed simultaneously. PIC cystography is a useful examination in patients with persistent, repeated UTI episodes without any signs of reflux employing conventional diagnostic modalities.

[Utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient in detection of prostate cancer and prediction of pathologic Gleason score].

Thirty patients with histologically proven prostate cancer whose prostate specific antigen values were under 20 ng/ml received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5 T before transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic transrectal 10-core needle biopsy. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on MRI were retrospectively analyzed by a single radiologist without any information of the results of the biopsy. The locations of cancer, indicated by the results of biopsy, coincided with the findings of MRI in 25 patients (83.3%). The characteristics of DWI and ADC in the lesion with a cancer focus could be analyzed in 21 patients. The mean ADC of cancer lesions was 0.96 ± 0.36 × 10⁻³ mm²/sec (± SD). The mean ADC of cancer lesions with a Gleason score of 6 was 1.14 ± 0.40 × 10⁻³ mm²/sec, while that of lesions with Gleason scores of 7 and 8 was 0.77 ± 0.20 × 10⁻³ mm²/s (p = 0.008, unpaired t test). DWI and ADC would be useful parameters in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. ADC of a cancer lesion may indicate the malignant potential of cancer cells represented by the Gleason score.

[IMPACT OF THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 ON THE UROLOGY PRACTICE IN OUR HOSPITAL].

(Purpose) Our hospital plays the role of a prefectural core hospital for COVID-19 and mainly accepts moderate and severely ill patients. In addition, our hospital is also actively responsible for regional emergency medical care, and is designated as a cancer treatment cooperation base hospital. We started accepting patients with COVID-19 in April 2020, and 2 out of 10 wards of our hospital are in operation as exclusive wards for COVID-19 at the time of May 31, 2021. In this study, we compared the effects of the spread of COVID-19 on our urological practice with those before the spread. (Materials and methods) The number of urological operations, their types and average length of stay, the number of outpatients / inpatients, the unit cost of medical treatment income, the referral rate, and the reverse referral rate were calculated based on the in-hospital clinical statistics. (Results) The number of urological operations decreased to 847, 862, and 768 in fiscal year 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. There was no significant change in the number of surgeries for malignant tumors in fiscal year 2020, but the number of surgeries for benign diseases decreased. The number of emergency operations tended to increase in fiscal year 2020. The number of urological hospitalized patients in fiscal year 2018, 2019, and 2020 decreased to 653, 690, and 533, and the average length of stay was shortened to 8.4, 8.8, and 8.1 days, respectively. The outpatient and inpatient unit prices per patient when fiscal year 2018 was set to 100 were increasing to 119.5 and 104.9, 133.7 and 119.1 in fiscal year 2019 and 2020, respectively. (Conclusion) It is thought that the spread of COVID-19 has clarified the function and characteristics of our hospital in community medicine.

Maintenance therapy with bacillus Calmette-Guérin Connaught strain clearly prolongs recurrence-free survival following transurethral resection of bladder tumour for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: • To confirm the recurrence-preventing efficacy and safety of 18-month bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) maintenance therapy for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • The enrolled patients had been diagnosed with recurrent or multiple non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (stage Ta or T1) after complete transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURBT). • The patients were randomized into three treatment groups: a maintenance group (BCG, 81 mg, intravesically instilled once weekly for 6 weeks as induction therapy, followed by three once-weekly instillations at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after initiation of the induction therapy), a non-maintenance group (BCG, 81 mg, intravesically instilled once weekly for 6 weeks) and an epirubicin group (epirubicin, 40 mg, intravesically instilled nine times). The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: • Efficacy analysis was performed for 115 of the full-analysis-set population of 116 eligible patients, including 41 maintenance group patients, 42 non-maintenance group patients and 32 epirubicin group patients. • At the 2-year median point of the overall actual follow-up period, the final cumulative RFS rates in the maintenance, non-maintenance and epirubicin groups were 84.6%, 65.4% and 27.7%, respectively. • The RFS following TURBT was significantly prolonged in the maintenance group compared with the non-maintenance group (generalized Wilcoxon test, P= 0.0190). CONCLUSION: • BCG maintenance therapy significantly prolonged the post-TURBT RFS compared with BCG induction therapy alone or epirubicin intravesical therapy.