Professional
Technical
IVT
BCG therapy
Also written as: BCG — Bacillus Calmette-Guérin
Intravesical immunotherapy using Bacillus Calmette-Guérin to treat bladder cancer.
Full Definition
A form of immunotherapy where live, attenuated Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) is instilled directly into the bladder through a catheter to treat non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The treatment stimulates a local immune response that helps prevent cancer recurrence and progression. BCG therapy is considered the gold standard adjuvant treatment for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and carcinoma in situ.
Usage
Usage note: BCG is always capitalized; specify 'therapy' to distinguish from BCG vaccination.
In Context
- "The patient completed six weekly instillations of BCG therapy without complications." — Treatment summary
- "BCG therapy significantly reduces recurrence rates in high-grade Ta tumors." — Clinical study
Also known as
intravesical BCG
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy
Don't confuse with
BCG vaccine
intravesical chemotherapy