Contemporary non-imaging methods in diagnosis of bladder cancer: a review.

The early diagnosis of bladder cancer is central to the effective treatment of the disease. Presently, the detection of bladder tumors relies on cystoscopy and there are no methods available to easily and specifically identify the presence of bladder cancer cells. A variety of new technologies and potential tumor markers are being studied in bladder cancer and some are being translated into clinical use. It is important to realise that all available results on the diagnostic value of tumor markers do not allow firm clinical recommendations, but tests based on biomarkers will undoubtedly influence the management of bladder cancer in the near future.