Value of fluorescence cystoscopy in high risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Photodynamic Diagnosis (PDD), an adjunct to white light cystoscopy, has been shown to improve detection and thoroughness of resection of bladder cancer by enhancing visualisation of malign lesions during transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURBT) compared to the sole use of standard white light cystoscopy. The PDD also has been shown to improve recurrence of free survival in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Little data on its impact on outcome in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer of high risk of progression is available however. The few trials and studies available demonstrate improved accuracy of diagnosis especially of flat malign lesions. In addition, improved recurrence rates have been suggested without an impact on progression rates in early invasive bladder cancer indicating little influence of thoroughness of resection on the tumour biology in those tumour stages. While no specific and larger data on impact of PDD on cancer specific survival exist to date and the few long-term data suggest little impact, improved accuracy of diagnosis is suggested to be beneficial for clinical decision making and thus a value of PDD is postulated in the management of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.