[Application of flow cytometry to the diagnosis of bladder carcinoma]

DNA histograms obtained by flow cytometry (FCM) in patients with bladder tumor were analyzed. DNA histogram pattern and calculated proliferation index (PI) can be used to evaluate the presence or the absence of tumor cells and this technique can be applied to the automated cytology in patients with bladder tumor. Furthermore flow cytometry is considered to provide us with useful information about the malignant potential of the tumor as well as the effect of the treatment. In the follow-up examination, our results suggest that flow cytometry may be a valuable addition to the routine urological examination in the conservatively treated patients with superficial bladder tumors.