ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the usefulness of fluorescence during cystoscopy after BCG-therapy in the management of non-invasive bladder tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled: Ta (15 cases), T1 (27 cases) carcinoma in situ (CIS) alone (12 cases) or associated (14 cases). Urine cytology was of high grade and a second look was systematically performed in case of lamina propria infiltration. Initial therapy with 6 intravesical BCG instillations (81 mg) was performed with histologic and endoscopic bladder evaluation 3 months after initial resection using hexylaminolevulinate fluorescence (Hexvix(®) 85 mg). RESULTS: Urine cytology was negative in 27 cases, suspicious in 12 cases and positive in 15 cases. With standard endoscopy under white light, mucosal bladder was normal in 32 cases, the use of fluorescence detected 8 tumour lesions confirmed with histology (CIS). When mucosal bladder was suspect under white light (22 patients), fluorescence was positive in 16 cases with 10 matching histological analysis (CIS and/or residual tumoral lesion). Therefore, despite high false positive rate with persistent mucosal bladder inflammation (38%), fluorescence guided endoscopy has allowed the diagnosis of suspect lesions not detected with white light with negative urine cytology. CONCLUSION: Hexvix(®) fluorescence after intravesical BCG instillations may improve persistent carcinoma in situ detection when performed 3 months after induction treatment. However, a multicenter prospective study will be necessary in future to confirm these preliminary results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.
