[Hexvix induced fluorescence blue light cystoscopy--a new perspective in superficial bladder tumors diagnosis]

The aim of our study was to establish the place of Hexvix blue light cystoscopy (BLC) in superficial bladder tumors (SBT) diagnosis and to compare it with standard white light cystoscopy (WLC).

Between December 2007 and February 2008, WLC and BLC and transurethral bladder resection (TURB) of all apparent detected lesions were performed in 25 cases. The patients diagnosed with superficial bladder tumors have been followed-up after 18 weeks by WLC and BLC. The control group included the same number of consecutive patients with SBT, diagnosed only by WLC, which underwent the same treatment and follow-up protocol as the study group.

WLC identified 40 suspicious lesions (37 pathologically confirmed), while BLC detected 58 apparent tumors (52 pathologically confirmed). So, from the 54 tumors with positive histology, WLC correctly diagnosed 68.5%, with a rate of 7.5% false-positive results, while BLC diagnosed 96.3%, presenting a 10.3% rate of false-positive results. 22 cases of the study group diagnosed with SBT were followed. The tumor recurrence rate after 18 weeks was 4.5% for the study group and 22.7% for the control group.

Hexvix fluorescence cystoscopy is a valuable diagnostic method, with considerably better results by comparison to WLC. The improved diagnostic accuracy may have a significant impact upon the recurrence rate.