Chemotherapy With or Without Surgery in Treating Patients With Bladder Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Cytologically confirmed solitary primary or recurrent papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder Ta or T1 Tumor no greater than 2 cm in diameter Negative urine cytology No suspicious lesions in bladder requiring biopsy No tumors in the prostatic urethra or upper urinary tract No prior history of T1 G3 tumors, muscle invasive tumors (T2 or greater), or carcinoma in situ PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 80 and under Performance status WHO 0-1 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Not specified Hepatic Not specified Renal Not specified Other HIV negative No active intractable or uncontrollable bladder infection No urethral strictures that would preclude endoscopic procedures or repeated catheterization No prior or concurrent congenital or acquired immune deficiency syndrome No other prior or concurrent malignancy except cured basal cell skin cancer or intraepithelial cancer of the cervix No prior or concurrent leukemia or Hodgkin's disease No concurrent disease for which general anesthesia is contraindicated No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study compliance Not pregnant or nursing PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy More than 12 months since prior BCG vaccine Chemotherapy At least 1 year since prior mitomycin Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior pelvic radiotherapy Surgery No prior organ transplant Other At least 3 months since prior intravesical treatment