CLINICAL-VALUE OF FLUORESCENCE CYSTOSCOPY IN THE DETECTION OF SUPERFICIAL TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMAS OF THE BLADDER

The prognosis of superficial bladder cancer in terms of local recurren ce and transformation into invasive cancer is related to the multiplic ity of tumour sites and the concomitant presence of << flat >> tumours , such as dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. This study of 51 patients e mphasizes the value of fluorescence cystoscopy in the early detection of superficial transitional cell carcinomas. This method is based on i nduction of fluorescence in carcinomatous sites which selectively accu mulate an endogenous photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX, in response t o intravesical administration of its precursor, 5-aminolevulinic acid. The sensitivity of the method in the present series' was close to 93 %. Fluorescence cystoscopy is a simple and reliable method to map the bladder mucosa looking for areas of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.