Computed tomography in the management of bladder carcinoma

Between 1978 and 1980, 30 patients were evaluated by computed tomography (CT). CT differed from clinical stage in 10 of 30 patients (30%). In 9 of the 10 patients the change in stage resulted because of extravesical extension or involvement of the prostate. Seventeen patients underwent pre-operative irradiation, and CT scans done post-irradiation showed a decrease in tumor stage in 5 patients (33%). The accuracy of CT in detecting nodal involvement was limited with an overall accuracy of 65%. CT has limited value in staging of bladder cancer.