DNA image cytometry in bladder cancer: state of the art

The most recent Consensus Review of the Clinical Utility of DNA Cytometry in Bladder Cancer, which took place in Maine back in 1992, focused solely on flow cytometry results. Since then, there have been a significant number of articles published on the use of image cytometry to evaluate DNA content in bladder cancer. This has meant that a large proportion of the information collected is scattered across the published literature. The purpose of this article was to organize the data referred to in those articles published since the 1992 Consensus Review, and organise it under three major topic headings: a) DNA image cytometry versus flow cytometry, (b) specimen sources, and (c) its clinical utility with regard to improving prognosis and recurrence detection. A variety of factors and issues are discussed and points have been raised for discussion. Prospects for the future and potential research areas are also suggested.