UroVysion Not a Replacement for Cystoscopy, Study Finds

Eur Urol. 2008;54:402-408.

The UroVysion (UV) assay, which can diagnose urothelial cancer, cannot replace cystoscopy for monitoring patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. According to researchers in Sweden, the assay may be useful as a supplement to traditional measures for detecting carcinoma in situ (CIS).

Sigurdur Gudjónsson, MD, of Lund University Hospital in Lund, and colleagues studied an unselected cohort of patients undergoing cystoscopy follow-ups. All patients were evaluated by cystoscopy, cytology, and UV assay.

A total of 159 cases were analyzed. UV had a 30% overall sensitivity for the 27 biopsy-proven recurrences and 70% sensitivity for high-risk tumors (pT1 and CIS), the study found. UV had a 95% specificity.

In addition, UV detected all six CIS cases in the study and was predictive in two other patients who developed CIS within one year of inclusion. Cytology was positive in four of the eight CIS cases and atypical in the other four.

From the September 01, 2008 Issue of Renal and Urology News