Developments in bladder cancer monitoring

The exclusive reliance on standard urinary cytology and cystoscopy for early diagnosis and monitoring of bladder cancer is now challenged by innovative techniques. A variety of urine tests employing immunostaining promise to enhance the value of cytological examination. Detection of tumor-associated antigens and substances present in the urine of patients harboring bladder cancer has reached a high degree of sophistication. Laboratory-based tests offer the possibility of early prediction of recurrence with a significant degree of accuracy. Equally exciting is the availability of rapid urine tests (point-of-care) that offer better sensitivity and specificity than cytology, deliver immediate results and provide an indication of the degree of tumor differentiation.