What treatment option is available for urothelial carcinomas?

• A. BCG therapy
• B. Cisplatin chemotherapy
• C. Radiation therapy
• D. Surgery

Answer: (A)

Intravesical BCG therapy is a standard treatment option for non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma. After removing visible tumors with TURBT, BCG is placed directly into the bladder to provoke a local immune response that helps eradicate residual cancer cells on the bladder lining. This approach reduces the risk of tumor recurrence and progression for Ta, T1, or carcinoma in situ cases and offers a bladder-sparing alternative to immediate radical surgery in suitable patients. It’s chosen specifically for non-muscle-invasive disease because it targets the lining of the bladder directly with manageable safety, rather than exposing the whole body to chemotherapy. Other treatments—such as cisplatin-based chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgical removal—are used in different scenarios: systemic chemotherapy for invasive or metastatic disease, radiation as part of bladder-preserving strategies or palliation, and surgery (including TURBT or cystectomy) depending on stage and patient factors.