What have we learned after 30 years of BCG intravesical therapy for superficial bladder cancer?

Objectives: To discuss the role of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer after 30 years of clinical experience. Methods: Research on LILACS and PubMed databases, including 31 clinical studies with scientific relevance and importance in the decision-making process. Results: The BCG therapy with induction and maintenance therapy seems to be the best practice in tumors classified as high risk when compared to intravesical chemotherapy. In management of carcinoma in situ, BCG is undoubtedly the therapy of choice, presenting 84.4% of efficacy. As an adjuvant treatment to transurethral resection, there was a 31% reduction in recurrence confirmed in four out of five meta-analyses assessed. The reduction in progression, despite preliminary favorable evidence, still needs further studies to be confirmed. Conclusions: Intravesical BCG is an excellent therapeutic option in cases of carcinoma in situ and it is recommended as an adjuvant treatment in tumors with a high risk of recurrence and progression.