Complications dans les suites d'une BCG thérapie intravésicale : épidémiologie, description clinique et prise en charge

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is commonly used as a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis. It is also used as an intravesical immunotherapy to treat superficial bladder cancer and prevent relapses. It is currently the gold standard in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder with intermediate or high-risk of progression and recurrence, in case of no muscle involvement after transurethral bladder resection. BCG is a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis supposed to interact locally with the immune system after intravesical injection, leading to cell-mediated immunity targeting bladder cancer. Complications that may occur after intravesical BCG therapy are mostly local reactions such as cystitis and haematuria but can be systemic and sometimes lead to death.