A RARE COMPLICATION OF BCG IMMUNOTHERAPY

Abstract

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy is an effective agent for superficial bladder carcinoma. The main adverse effect of this treatment is cystitis. Arthralgia and migratory arthritis occur only in 0.5% of patients. Reiter syndrome is a very rare complication that can occur after intravesical apply of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Immunotherapy. We report the first Albanian patient who developed Reiter’s syndrome, following intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Diagnose of Reiter’s Syndrome was clinically based, excluding every other reason that could have caused it. Treatment was made with non-steroid and steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by a full recovery result. Even though Reiter's Syndrome is a rare, but significant complication of BCG immunotherapy, it’s important to identify it in time, in order we to offer an adequate treatment.