Endoscopy and the detection of genitourinary carcinoma

Endoscopy in the detection of urinary tract cancer is one of the primary tools of the urologist. It is used in the localization of bleeding sites, the systematic follow-up in detecting recurrent malignancies, the pathologic staging of carcinoma of the bladder through transurethral biopsy, and the identification and biopsy of primary transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate. It is also a prime tool in the diagnosis of ureteral and pelvic tumors through retrograde pyelography, brush biopsy, and urine collection for cytology. Nephroscopy is now also possible for the obscure lesions difficult to diagnose otherwise. Urethroscopy is also important in detecting malignant changes. The various sites for urologic cancer, their incidence, and the role of endoscopy in relation to other means of diagnosis and management are discussed.