Flexible fiberoptic versus conventional cystourethroscopy in bladder tumor patients. A prospective study

In 30 bladder tumor patients flexible fiberoptic and conventional cystourethroscopy was undertaken by two urologists in a random sequence. The findings at conventional cystoscopy, including histologic findings in biopsy and operative specimens, were taken to represent the true pathologic condition. Concordance was found in all but three patients, with solitary superficial grade II bladder tumors less than 2 mm in diameter that were overlooked at flexible cystoscopy. No discordance was observed in the evaluation of grade III or invasive bladder tumors. Flexible fiberoptic cystourethroscopy with urine cytology is recommended 1) as a follow-up investigation under local anesthesia in patients with non invasive bladder tumors and negative random biopsies, and 2) as a diagnostic procedure in poor-risk patients as an alternative to transabdominal ultrasonography.