Urinary cytology and bladder biopsy in patients with bladder cancer

Two hundred fifty patients with bladder tumor were evaluated over a three-year period. Cystoscopy, cytology, and random bladder and tumor biopsy were part of the workup. The follow-up of these patients resulted in a total of 509 cystoscopies, 772 specimens of bladder washings and urinary cytologies, and 503 tumor or selected mucosal biopsies. The value of cytologic study of bladder washings and cystoscopic urine samples as well as the importance of selected site mucosal biopsies in detecting "field changes" in the bladder epithelium associated with bladder tumors are discussed.