[Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: evaluation by combined endoscopy and urine cytology: is incontrovertible assessment possible?]

Abstract

Background: Transurethral resection of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder provides a definitive surgical treatment and supplies tissue for histological evaluation. Superficial low-grade carcinomas with a small risk of progression are treated properly with fulguration alone. To justify fulguration as a definitive treatment of papillary bladder tumours, one must be able to safely distinguish low-grade, noninvasive tumours from those that are high grade and potentially invasive.

Material and methods: A total of 160 patients with a transitional cell carcinoma at cystoscopy underwent transurethral resection of the tumour. The macroscopic appearance of the tumour, the aspect with bimanual palpation and the perioperative urine cytology were compared with the histological report.

Results: In our study we were able to safely distinguish low-grade tumours from high-grade tumours. All noninvasive tumours could be identified visually as such.

Conclusion: Urologists skilled in the evaluation of urine cytology can distinguish low-grade noninvasive tumours of the bladder from high-grade and potentially invasive tumours by means of appearance at cystoscopy and perioperative urine cytology.