Biological Therapy in Treating Patients With Bladder Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed completely resected T1 or Ta papillary tumors of the urinary bladder TaG2 greater than 2 relapses in 2 years TaG3 unifocal or multifocal Unifocal primary T1G2-3 after a histological tumor-free second resection If multiple/multifocal, worst stage and grade AND/OR Histologically and cytologically confirmed primary or secondary carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder No persistent T1 disease in second resection No contracted bladder (bladder capacity less than 80 mL) or bladder irritation within past 5 years No urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract or the urethra PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 90 Performance status: WHO 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Liver function no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Renal function no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other concurrent malignancies except basocellular carcinoma No congenital or acquired immunosuppression (e.g., HIV, leukemia, lymphoma, transplant recipient) No uncontrollable or untreated urinary tract infection No chronic recurring bacterial cystitis PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior BCG therapy Chemotherapy: At least 3 months since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 5 years since prior radiotherapy to the bladder Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No pri…