Background: Bladder cancer occurs mainly in adults. In children, younger than 10 years in particular, it is very rare.
Objectives: The aim of the study is to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TUR-BT) of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder in children.
Material and methods: Transurethral resection of the bladder tumour was performed in 7 boys aged 4 to 17 years (median 12.1 years). In all cases laboratory tests, ultrasound, and cystoscopic tumour biopsy were carried out prior to the resection. Doxorubicin was additionally instilled intravesically as one dose in two patients. The Foley catheter was left in the bladder for 1 to 4 days (median 1.85 days). The follow-up period ranged from 10 months to 10 years (median 4 years).
Results: Papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) was diagnosed in 5 patients and urothelial papilloma in 2. Local recurrence was observed in one case two years after the resection. In all other cases complete remission was achieved.
Conclusions: Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in children is usually benign and endoscopic treatment (TUR-BT) seems to be the treatment of choice. To determine a follow-up schedule a more substantial group of children with bladder cancer should be analysed.