Cytometric investigations of bladder irrigation/washing and voided urine

Several studies have shown that cytometry, including DNA analysis, gives valuable information on the grade and stage of bladder cancer when performed on cytological preparations obtained from urine. Although, cytometry should not be used as a screening tool, it has a role in the follow-up of patients with a previous history of superficial bladder cancer. In this group of patients, the combination of cytological examination with cytometric evaluation allows the detection of the majority of recurrent tumors. In patients treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, the presence or the appearance of an aneuploid cell population is a good indication of tumor recurrence or progression. A variety of wet laboratory immunoassays, on-slide immunoassays, in situ hybridization procedures and post-nucleic acid extraction molecular techniques have been designed to complement cytology and cytometry and to improve the overall sensitivity and specificity of the detection of recurrent urothelial neoplasia.