Reduced bladder tumour recurrence rate associated with narrow‐band imaging surveillance cystoscopy

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)
Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Narrow‐band imaging cystoscopy is a new imaging modality developed to enhance conventional standard white‐light cystoscopy to evaluate bladder tumors. The current paper suggests that fulguration of low‐risk papillary bladder tumours using NBI cystoscopy results in fewer subsequent tumour recurrences than fulguration using standard cystoscopy. How, or if, NBI cystoscopy will become integrated into routine management of non‐invasive bladder tumours remains for further study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate frequency of recurrences among patients with papillary bladder tumours followed sequentially with conventional white‐light (WLI) cystoscopy and narrow‐band imaging (NBI) cystoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cohort of 126 patients with recurrent low‐grade papillary bladder tumours were followed every 6 months for 3 years by conventional WLI cystoscopy, and then over the next 3 consecutive years by NBI cystoscopy. Recurrent tumours detected were treated by outpatient fulguration or transurethral resection. We compared the tumour recurrence rate during follow‐up with WLI and NBI cystoscopy, using patients as their own controls.

RESULTS

Of the 126 patients, 94% had tumour recurrences during WLI cystoscopy vs 62% during NBI cystoscopy. The mean number of recurrent tumours was 5.2 with WLI cystoscopy vs 2.8 with NBI cystoscopy, and the median recurrence‐free survival time was 13 vs 29 months (P= 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Compared with follow‐up with WLI cystoscopy, NBI cystoscopy was associated with fewer patients having tumour recurrences, fewer numbers of recurrent tumours, and a longer recurrence‐free survival time.     

Narrow-band imaging flexible cystoscopy in the detection of recurrent urothelial cancer of the bladder

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether narrow‐band imaging (NBI) flexible cystoscopy improves the detection rate of urothelial carcinomas (UCs) of the bladder. NBI is an optical image enhancement technology in which the narrow bandwidth of light is strongly absorbed by haemoglobin and penetrates only the surface of tissue, increasing the visibility of capillaries and other delicate tissue surface structures by enhancing contrast between the two.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between November 2005 and May 2007 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, NBI flexible cystoscopy was performed on 29 patients with known recurrences of UC of the bladder after initial conventional white‐light imaging (WLI) flexible cystoscopy with the same instrument (Olympus Lucera sequential RGB endoscopy system).

RESULTS

Subjectively, NBI provided a much clearer view of bladder UCs and in particular their delicate capillary architecture. Objectively, NBI detected 15 additional UCs in 12 of 29 patients (41%), as compared with WLI. The mean (sd ) difference was 0.52 (0.74) UCs per patient (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test).

CONCLUSIONS

Even in the few patients studied there is strong evidence that NBI differs from WLI in the number of UCs it detects, with a significantly increased detection rate. We feel that further evaluation of NBI flexible cystoscopy in more patients will show this technique to be highly valuable in the detection of both new and recurrent bladder UCs, and this work is continuing in our unit.     

Narrow‐band imaging cystoscopy to evaluate bladder tumours – individual surgeon variability

Study Type – Diagnosis (exploratory cohort)
Level of Evidence 2b

OBJECTIVE

To assess individual urologist variability using narrow‐band imaging (NBI) cystoscopy to evaluate bladder tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 50 patients underwent white‐light and NBI cystoscopy to evaluate for recurrent bladder tumours. Endoscopic images in each patient were independently viewed by four urologists assessing presence or absence of tumour. Their findings were correlated with biopsy results.

RESULTS

In all, 26 patients had recurrent tumour and 24 had benign histology. There were no significant differences among urologists detecting recurrent tumour or in determining final pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

There does not appear to be a ‘learning curve’ for adapting to NBI‐surveillance cystoscopy in patients with bladder cancer.     

窄波成像电子膀胱软镜在膀胱肿瘤诊断中的应用价值

目的 研究窄波成像(NBI)电子膀胱软镜在膀胱肿瘤诊断中的应用价值.方法 临床疑似膀胱肿瘤患者31例,采用Olympus ExeraⅡ电子膀胱软镜系统,分别在NBI和普通白光(WLI)视野下检查,顺序采用随机化法,观察时间相同.分别取2种视野下膀胱内所见可疑病灶活检,比较2种检查方法膀胱肿瘤诊断准确率.结果 31例患者中,经病理检查确诊为膀胱尿路上皮癌28例(90%),其中Tis 3例、Ta 15例、T1 7例、T2 3例;低级别癌20例、高级别癌8例;多发病灶16例、单发病灶12例.WLI下共取活检73处,癌组织61处,阳性率84%,确诊膀胱癌23例;NBI下共取活检91处,癌组织80处,阳性率88%,确诊膀胱癌28例.NBI发现癌组织较WLI多19处,2组检出准确率比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 NBI诊断膀胱肿瘤的准确率明显高于WLI电子膀胱软镜.     

Evaluation of an orthotopic rat bladder urothelial cell carcinoma model by cystoscopy

OBJECTIVES

To enable preclinical testing of intravesical therapies against non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in an orthotopic rat bladder tumour model, augmented by the use of serial cystoscopy for in vivo tumour assessment and follow‐up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fischer F344 rats had a 16‐G transurethral cannula placed. The bladder mucosa was conditioned with an acid rinse, followed by a 1‐h instillation of 1.5 × 10⁶ AY‐27 rat bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) cells (day 0). Cystoscopy (1 mm) was done on day 0 (control) and at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13 and 17 days. At the scheduled times the rats were killed after cystectomy (four at each time) for histopathological examination of the bladder.

RESULTS

Overall, tumour establishment was >80%, with predominantly carcinoma in situ preceding or concomitant with invasive tumour growth. All tumours were formed at 3–5 days, and remained non‐muscle‐invasive up to 5 days. From 6 days, tumours progressed to muscle‐invasive disease in 40% of the rats. Visibility at cystoscopy was excellent and tumours were apparent in >90% of rats from 5 days on, with a specificity and sensitivity of >90%. Cystoscopy could not distinguish NMIBC from muscle‐invasive disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a reliable model of orthotopic rat bladder UCC, with early high‐grade NMIBC growth, immediately followed by muscle‐invasive growth, i.e. the recommended time to start intravesical therapy would be 5 days after tumour cell inoculation. Tumour growth can easily be monitored by cystoscopy, but cannot be used to distinguish NMIBC from muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.     

Applying narrow-band imaging in complement with white-light imaging cystoscopy in the detection of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

ObjectivesTo investigate the value of narrow-band imaging (NBI) flexible cystoscopy in the detection of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder.Materials and methodsClinical data of 179 patients with suspected UC, who presented with gross hematuria, were collected at China PLA General Hospital from January 2009 to August 2010. These patients underwent white-light imaging (WLI) cystoscopy followed by NBI. The tumors were visualized, imaged, and recorded. Suspected UCs were biopsied or treated by transurethral resection, and then sent for pathologic examination. Detection results for NBI and WLI were compared.ResultsWLI and NBI confirmed UC in 143 patients; a total of 285 tumors were detected. The patient-level detection rates for NBI and WLI were 97.9% (140/143) and 88.8% (127/143), respectively (P = 0.002). The patient-level false-positive detection rates for NBI and WLI were 21.8% (39/179) and 29.1% (52/179), respectively (P = 0.12). NBI detected a total of 59 additional tumors (17.2%; 34pTa, 17pT1, 3pT2, and 5pTis) in 44 of 143 patients (30.8%). NBI found 1 additional tumor in 34 cases, 2 additional tumors in 6 cases, 3 additional tumors in 3 cases, and 4 additional tumors in 1 case. The mean ± SD (range) number of identified UCs per patient was 1.97 ± 0.67 (1–5) for NBI and 1.78 ± 0.53 (1–4) for WLI (P = 0.01). The tumor-level detection rates for NBI and WLI were 96.8% and 79.3%, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsCompared with WLI, NBI improves UC detection. It has a higher rate of detection and a comparative rate of false-positive detection. NBI is simple and requires no dyeing. It can be conveniently applied to complement WLI.     

NBI技术结合电子软膀胱镜在膀胱肿瘤早期诊断中的应用研究

目的：评估窄带成像（NBI）技术结合电子软膀胱镜（简称NBI膀胱镜）在膀胱肿瘤早期诊断中的应用价值。方法：2009年1月～5月对85例早期膀胱肿瘤或癌前病变患者,首先使用标准白光（WLI）膀胱镜进行观察,接着使用NBI膀胱镜进行观察,均记录观察到的乳头状肿瘤个数,最后取活组织检查并进行病理学诊断。对比NBI膀胱镜与WLI膀胱镜在膀胱肿瘤早期诊断中的检出率。结果：NBI技术能够提供更加清晰的膀胱肿瘤的图像,特别是肿瘤组织与正常膀胱黏膜的边界。85例中包括乳头状Ta期膀胱肿瘤76例,原位癌6例,重度不典型增生3例。使用WLI膀胱镜：Ta期膀胱肿瘤76例检查出肿瘤个数为178,原位癌检查出2例,重度不典型增生检查出1例;使用NBI膀胱镜：Ta期膀胱肿瘤76例检查出肿瘤个数214,原位癌检查出6例,重度不典型增生检查出3例;检出率分别提高了20．2％,200％,200％。结论：与WLI膀胱镜相比,NBI膀胱镜的应用能更清晰的显示肿瘤组织与正常膀胱黏膜的边界,提高早期膀胱癌及癌前病变的诊出率,降低漏诊率。     

Thulium laser resection via a flexible cystoscope for recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: initial clinical experience

OBJECTIVE

To present our initial experience of thulium laser resection via a flexible cystoscope for recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (ThuRBT), as transurethral resection for bladder tumour (TURBT) is regarded as the reference standard for treating this disease, but alternative laser resection or ablation is suitable especially for recurrent tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2005 to October 2005, 32 patients with early recurrent bladder tumour (recurrent within a year after TURBT) were treated with ThuRBT via a flexible cystoscope. The follow‐up included urine analysis, ultrasonography and cystoscopy every 3 months.

RESULTS

All patients were treated successfully with ThuRBT in one session, with no bladder haemorrhage, obturator nerve reflex or vesicle perforation. Randomized biopsies taken after surgery on and adjacent to the resection surface revealed no residual tumours. The mean (range) tumour diameter was 1.5 (0.5–3) cm and the mean operative duration was 25 (15–35) min. During the first year of follow‐up, local and heterotopic recurrences were found in three and six patients, respectively. The accumulated recurrence rates at 3, 6 and 12 months were 9%, 22% and 28%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

ThuRBT is a reliable therapy with minimal morbidity and invasiveness for selected patients with bladder cancer.     

5-aminolaevulinic acid-induced fluorescence cystoscopy during transurethral resection reduces the risk of recurrence in stage Ta/T1 bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of 5-aminolaevulinic acid-induced fluorescence cystoscopy (FC) during transurethral resection (TUR) on the recurrence rate and the length of tumour-free interval in stage Ta/T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 122 patients with primary or recurrent stage Ta/T1 bladder TCC treated with TUR were enrolled in a prospective randomized study. In group A the TUR was performed with standard white-light endoscopy, and in group B with FC. The patients were followed using standard cystoscopy and urinary cytology. The recurrence-free interval was evaluated in whole groups, for single and multiple, and for primary and recurrent tumours separately. RESULTS: At the time of the first cystoscopy (10-15 weeks after TUR) tumour recurrence was detected in 23 of 62 patients (37%) in group A, but only in five of 60 patients (8%) in group B. The recurrence-free survival rates in group A were 39% and 28% after 12 and 24 months, compared to 66% and 40% respectively in group B (P = 0.008, log-rank test). In separate analyses, the recurrence-free survival rates were significantly higher using FC in multiple (P = 0.001) and in recurrent (P = 0.02) tumours. In solitary and primary tumours the median time to recurrence was also longer in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: 5-aminolaevulinic acid-induced FC during TUR reduces the recurrence rate in stage Ta/T1 bladder TCC. The most significant benefit is in patients with multiple and recurrent tumours.     

Routine follow-up cystoscopy in detection of recurrence in patients being monitored for bladder cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cystoscopy and urine cytology are the standard tools for monitoring superficial bladder cancer. The sensitivity of cystoscopy is, however, limited to the tumours that can be visualised, and the sensitivity of cytology is relatively low in low-stage/low-grade tumours. Therefore, new tumour markers have been developed. BTA stat has been reported to have high sensitivity in detecting both primary and recurrent bladder tumours, and may have the potential to detect tumours that cannot be visualised by routine cystoscopy including recurrences in upper tract. The objective of the study was to analyse the reliability of routine follow-up cystoscopy by further investigating patients with positive marker status, BTA stat Test and urine cytology, but negative cystoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 446 consecutive patients being followed for bladder cancer were analysed in a prospective multicenter study. A voided urine sample was obtained prior to cystoscopy and split for culture, cytology and BTA stat testing. In the case of positive marker status, BTA stat Test or urine cytology, but negative cystoscopy patients were further investigated by i.v. urography or renal ultrasound and random biopsies. The sensitivity of routine follow-up cystoscopy is reported. RESULTS: Of 446 patients 131 (29.4%) had a bladder cancer recurrence at routine cystoscopy. Of the remaining 315 patients not having recurrent tumour at cystoscopy, 56 patients (17.8%) had positive BTA stat Test result, 6 (1.9%) had positive cytology and 5 were positive by both tests. Nine recurrences that were missed at routine follow-up cystoscopy were detected by further investigations making the total number of bladder confined recurrent tumours 140 (140/446, 31.4%). Five of these 9 recurrences were high grade lesions (1 T1G3, 4 CIS), of which 4 were detected by positive cytology. The overall sensitivity of cystoscopy was 93.6%. CONCLUSIONS: We found that routine follow-up cystoscopy may miss over five percent of the recurrent tumours. Although cystoscopy remains the gold standard for bladder cancer follow-up, it is suggested that even with negative cystoscopy patients with positive marker status, BTA stat Test and especially urine cytology, should be considered at risk for coexisting, and in some case even high grade recurrence.     

Narrow‐band imaging cystoscopy to evaluate the response to bacille Calmette‐Guérin therapy: preliminary results

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)
Level of Evidence 2b

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether narrow‐band imaging cystoscopy (NBIC) can identify bladder tumour suspected on follow‐up white‐light cystoscopy (WLC) after intravesical bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) therapy, as BCG causes an intense reaction in the bladder, appearing as red lesions on WLC, which might be residual tumour or BCG‐induced inflammation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty‐one patients with high‐risk non‐muscle‐invasive bladder tumours were evaluated 3 months after starting induction BCG therapy. All patients had abnormal erythematous lesions on WLC, suspected to be residual carcinoma in situ. After WLC, they were evaluated by NBIC, urine cytology and biopsy, followed by transurethral resection of all visible lesions.

RESULTS

Of the 61 patients, 22 (36%) had residual tumour. NBIC correctly identified tumour in 21 patients, but another 10 had unnecessary biopsy (NBIC positive, negative biopsy). Only one of 30 patients who had negative NBIC findings had tumour. NBIC outperformed urine cytology in detecting residual tumour after BCG therapy.

CONCLUSION

NBIC appears to better identify patients who have suspected residual tumour on follow‐up WLC at 3 months after BCG therapy.     

Narrow band imaging for detecting residual/recurrent cancerous tissue during second transurethral resection of newly diagnosed non‐muscle‐invasive high‐grade bladder cancer

Study Type – Diagnostic (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To determine if narrow‐band imaging (NBI) can be used to detect high‐grade cancerous lesions missed with the white light at the time of a second transurethral resection (TUR) of high‐grade non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed high‐grade NMIBC were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Patients with incomplete resection or absence of muscle tissue in the specimen were excluded. About 1 month after the first TUR, NBI cold‐cup biopsies were taken from areas suspicious for urothelial cancer at the end of an extensive white‐light second TUR protocol including: (i) resection of the scar of the primary tumour; (ii) resection of any overt or suspected urothelial lesions; and (iii) six random cold‐cup biopsies of healthy mucosa.

RESULTS

In 2008, 47 consecutive patients were recruited after giving written consent (median age 62 years, range 49–83, 39 men and eight women). Nine patients (19%) had macroscopic or microscopic high‐grade NMI urothelial cancer, whereas one was reassessed as having muscle‐invasive disease at the white‐light second TUR plus the six random biopsies. NBI biopsies were taken in 40 of the 47 patients and detected six more patients with high‐grade cancerous tissue (13%). In all 16 of the 47 patients (34%) were found to have residual/recurrent cancer using our extensive protocol of second TUR followed by NBI biopsies.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding NBI biopsies at the end of an extensive second TUR protocol in patients with newly diagnosed high‐grade NMIBC can lead to the identification of patients with otherwise missed high‐grade residual/recurrent urothelial carcinoma.     

Urine cytology after flexible cystoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To correlate urine cytology findings before and after flexible cystoscopy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 153 patients undergoing surveillance for bladder tumour provided voided urine for cytology before and immediately after flexible cystoscopy.

RESULTS

Of the 153 patients, 116 had negative urine cytology before and after (96%) a visibly normal cystoscopy and 37 had positive urine cytology before and after cystoscopy that showed recurrent tumour.

CONCLUSIONS

Urine cytology immediately after flexible cystoscopy correlates well with results of urine cytology before cystoscopy.

     

Risk factors for positive findings in patients with high‐grade T1 bladder cancer treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TUR) and bacille Calmette‐Guérin therapy and the decision for a repeat TUR

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors predictive of positive findings at the 3‐month follow‐up evaluation (after transurethral resection of bladder tumour [TUR] and bacille Calmette‐Guérin [BCG] therapy) in patients with initial high‐grade (HG)T1 bladder cancer, and to assess the depth of lamina propria (LP) invasion and effectiveness of BCG therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 138 patients with initial HGT1‐transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were prospectively assigned, after TUR + BCG and according to depth of LP invasion, to a postBCG‐TUR (T1b) or cystoscopy/cytology (T1a) at 3 months. Any finding at 3 months was considered positive. The predictive value of 11 clinical and pathological variables was assessed by chi‐squared, Mann–Whitney U and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 138 patients (14 women, mean age 69 years), 42% had T1a and 58% T1b TCC. Tumour size and carcinoma in situ (CIS) were significantly associated with positive findings and present in 26% (36/138) of the patients. The postBCG‐TUR (T1b cases), was positive in 31% (25/80), including seven infiltrating tumours. On multivariate analysis, again a tumour size of >3 cm (odds ratio, OR, 7.02) and associated CIS (OR 5.4) were significantly related to a positive postBCG‐TUR. A secondary finding was that at 20.3 months; patients with T1a TCC, who did not undergo a repeat TUR, did not have increased progression; only 3% (two of 58) had progressed compared with 21% (17/80) of those with T1b/c TCC (P < 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In initial HGT1‐TCC, tumour size and CIS were predictive factors of positive findings at 3 months after the initial TUR + BCG therapy. Patients with HGT1‐TCC invading the LP (T1b TCC) had a seven times higher risk of a positive repeat TUR if the initial tumour was >3 cm and a five‐fold increased risk if associated with CIS. The repeat TUR after BCG therapy allowed confirmation of complete resection and pathological evaluation of the BCG response. Although data are still preliminary, the strategy of performing a repeat TUR only in cases with LP involvement, i.e. T1b TCC, did not increase the risk of progression in cases with T1a TCC.     

A randomized prospective trial to assess the impact of transurethral resection in narrow band imaging modality on non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer recurrence

Background

Narrow band imaging (NBI) is an optical enhancement technology that filters white light into two bandwidths of illumination centered on 415 nm (blue) and 540 nm (green). NBI cystoscopy can increase bladder cancer (BCa) visualization and detection at the time of transurethral resection (TUR). NBI may therefore reduce subsequent relapse following TUR.

Objective

Assess the impact of NBI modality on 1-yr non–muscle-invasive BCa (NMIBC) recurrence risk.

Design, setting, and participants

Consecutive patients with overt or suspected BCa were included in a prospective study powered to test a 10% difference in 1-yr recurrence risk in favor of cases submitted to NBI TUR. Excluding patients with muscle-invasive BCa, negative pathologic examination, or without follow-up, the study population was composed of 148 subjects randomized from August 2009 to September 2010 to NBI TUR (76 cases) or white light (WL) TUR (72 cases).

Intervention

TUR was performed in NBI or standard WL modality.

Measurements

The 1-yr recurrence risks in NBI or WL TUR groups were compared using odds ratio (OR) point and interval estimates derived from logistic regression modeling.

Results and limitations

The 1-yr recurrence-risk was 25 of 76 patients (32.9%) in the NBI and 37 of 72 patients (51.4%) in the WL group (OR = 0.62; p = 0.0141). Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses provided similar OR points and interval estimates.

Conclusions

TUR performed in the NBI modality reduces the recurrence risk of NMIBC by at least 10% at 1 yr.     

Routine use of ultrasound and flexible cystoscopy in the control of benign bladder tumours

During the period 1987–1992, 99 patients with benign bladder tumours were followed regularly with transabdominal ultrasound of the bladder and out-patient flexible cystoscopy. Thirty-five patients had recurrent bladder tumours, but in only one case was there progression to invasive tumour. Seventy-six per cent of the recurrences were diagnosed by flexible cystoscopy while 22% were found by ultrasound. Compared to conventional follow-up programs with in-patient rigid cystoscopy the combination of ultrasound and flexible cystoscopy proved to be safe, highly acceptable by the patients and cost-effective. Read at the Nordic Surgical Society Centennial Meeting, Copenhagen, June 20–23, 1993.     

Transurethral Resection of Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Transitional Cell Cancers With or Without 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Under Visible and Fluorescent Light: Results of a Prospective,Randomised, Multicentre Study

Background

Fluorescent light (FL)–guided cystoscopy induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has been reported to detect more tumours compared with standard white-light (WL) cystoscopy. Most reports are from single centres with relatively few patients.

Objective

To evaluate whether 5-ALA–induced FL and WL cystoscopy at transurethral resection (TUR) is superior compared with standard procedures under WL only with respect to tumour recurrence and progression in patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Design, setting, and participants

This randomised, multicentre, observer- and pathologist-blinded, prospective phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 300 patients, and of those patients, 153 were randomised to FL cystoscopy and 147 were randomised to standard WL cystoscopy.

Intervention

All patients were first inspected under WL and all lesions were recorded. Patients randomised to FL underwent a second inspection. TUR was carried out in both groups.

Measurements

Control cystoscopy under WL was performed in all patients every 3 mo during the first year after randomisation and biannually thereafter.

Results and limitations

At the first TUR, the mean number of resection specimens per patient was 2.5 (FL: 2.5; WL: 2.4; p = 0.37) and the resulting mean number of resected tumours was 1.7 with FL and 1.8 with WL (p = 0.85). More patients were diagnosed with carcinoma in situ (CIS) in the WL group (13%) than in the FL group (4.2%). Within-patient comparison of FL patients only showed that FL detected more lesions than WL. Tumour lesions solely detected by FL cystoscopy that would not otherwise be detected by WL cystoscopy included 52% dysplasia, 33% CIS, 18% papillary neoplasms, 13% pT1, and 7% pTa. Outcome at 12 mo did not show any difference between groups with regard to recurrence-free and progression-free survival rates.

Conclusions

In this prospective, randomised, multi-institutional study, we found no clinical advantage of FL cystoscopy compared with WL cystoscopy and TUR.     

Prospective trial to identify optimal bladder cancer surveillance protocol: reducing costs while maximizing sensitivity

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? A plethora of urinary markers are available with the purported benefit of identifying bladder tumours that evade detection with cystoscopy alone. Clinicians often infer that this translates into earlier detection of invasive disease and helps control costs. This prospective trial suggests that in experienced hands, cystoscopy alone is the most cost‐effective strategy to detect recurrence of non‐invasive bladder cancer. Using urinary markers in all patients significantly adds to cost and hence must be individualized.

OBJECTIVE

? To assess the cost‐effectiveness of using cytological evaluation, NMP22 BladderChek®, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) UroVysion® in addition to cystoscopy in patients with a history of bladder cancer undergoing surveillance for recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? In all, 200 consecutive patients with a history of bladder cancer not invading the muscle were prospectively enrolled at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. ? Five surveillance strategies were compared: (i) cystoscopy alone; (ii) cystoscopy and NMP22; (iii) cystoscopy and FISH; (iv) cystoscopy and cytology; and (v) cystoscopy and positive NMP22 confirmed by positive FISH. ? The cost per cancer detected was calculated. ? For patients with an initial positive test and negative cystoscopy, tumour detected at first follow‐up was assumed to be too small to be visualized at the initial assessment and the biomarker was credited with early detection.

RESULTS

? Cancer was detected in 13 patients at study entry. ? Detection rates for the five surveillance strategies were: (i) 52%, (ii) 56%, (iii) 72%, (iv) 60%, and (v) 56%. ? The costs per tumour detected (at the time of initial marker analysis) were (i) $7692; (ii) $12 000; (iii) $26 462; (iv) $11 846; and (v) $10 292. ? When early detection of biomarkers was factored in, the CPTD became: (i) $7692; (ii) $11 143; (iii) $19 111; (iv) $10 267; and (v) $9557. ? There were 12 new cancers detected at first follow‐up (median time, 4.1 months). None of the tumours detected by biomarkers but not by cystoscopy were invasive.

CONCLUSIONS

? Cystoscopy alone remains the most cost‐effective strategy to detect recurrence of bladder cancer not invading the muscle. ? The addition of urinary markers adds to cost, without improved detection of invasive disease.     

Treatment changes and long‐term recurrence rates after hexaminolevulinate (HAL) fluorescence cystoscopy: does it really make a difference in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)?

Study Type – Therapy (individual cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? HAL fluorescence cystoscopy is known to improve tumour detection in NMIBC cases and to have a potentially favourable impact concerning the recurrence rates. The present trial assessed the advantages of HAL cystoscopy with regard to postoperative treatment changes and 2 years' recurrence rates, subjects that are poorly evaluated in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

• ? To evaluate in a prospective, randomized study the impact of hexaminolevulinate blue‐light cystoscopy (HAL‐BLC) on the diagnostic accuracy and treatment changes in cases of non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) compared with standard white‐light cystoscopy (WLC).
• ? To compare the long‐term recurrence rates in the two study arms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? In all, 362 patients suspected of NMIBC were included in the trial based on positive urinary cytology and/or ultrasonographic suspicion of bladder tumours and underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumours.
• ? A single postoperative mytomicin‐C instillation was performed in all cases, intravesical chemotherapy for intermediate‐risk patients and BCG instillations for high‐risk cases.
• ? The follow‐up protocol consisted of urinary cytology and WLC every 3 months for 2 years.
• ? Only first‐time recurrences after the initial diagnosis were considered.

RESULTS

• ? In the 142 patients with NMIBC in the HAL‐BLC series, tumour detection rates significantly improved for carcinoma in situ, pTa andoverall cases.
• ? In 35.2% of the cases, additional malignant lesions were found by HAL‐BLC and consequently, the recurrence‐ and progression‐risk categories of patients and subsequent treatment improved in 19% of the cases due to fluorescence cystoscopy.
• ? In all, 125 patients in the HAL‐BLC group and 114 of the WLC group completed the follow‐up.
• ? The recurrence rate at 3 months was lower in the HAL‐BLC series (7.2% vs 15.8%) due to fewer ‘other site’ recurrences when compared with the WLC series (0.8% vs 6.1%).
• ? The 1 and 2 years recurrence rates were significantly decreased in the HAL‐BLC group compared with the WLC group (21.6% vs 32.5% and 31.2% vs 45.6%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

• ? HAL‐BLC was better than WLC for detecting NMIBC cases and improved tumour detection rates.
• ? HAL‐BLC significantly modified the postoperative treatment of cases.
• ? The 3 months, 1 and 2 years recurrence rates were significantly improved in the HAL‐BLC arm.