Treatment of diffuse transitional cell carcinoma in situ by whole bladder hematoporphyrin derivative photodynamic therapy.

A total of 10 patients with diffuse, resistant transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent whole bladder hematoporphyrin derivative photodynamic therapy in which a new light bulb fiber was used to deliver red light (630 nm.) from an argon pumped dye laser. Six patients who had carcinoma in situ alone had a complete response, 2 with diffuse carcinoma in situ and stage Ta lesions had persistent stage Ta disease and 2 with diffuse carcinoma in situ and focal stage T2 disease had disappearance of the carcinoma in situ but persistent invasive disease at 3 months. This new light delivery system appears to be effective in the treatment of diffuse, resistant carcinoma in situ of the bladder.