BARD(R)BTA(R) TEST COMPARED WITH VOIDED URINE CYTOLOGY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF RECURRENT BLADDER-CANCER

Objective: To compare the Bard(R) BTA(R) (bladder tumour antigen) test with voided urine cytology (VUC) in the diagnosis of recurrent bladde r cancer (BC). Methods: Urine specimens for the BTA test and VUC were collected on the same day as before cystoscopy from patients undergoin g routine surveillance cystoscopy for recurrent BC. The pathologists p erforming VUC were blinded to the results of the BTA test. Results: BC was identified by cystoscopy and biopsy in 39 of 164 study participan ts. The overall sensitivities of the BTA test and VUC were 54 and 28%, respectively (p < 0.05). The BTA test was more sensitive than VUC for all tumour stages and grades. For greater than or equal to T-2 tumour s and grade 3 tumours, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The specificities of the BTA test and VUC were 92 and 97%, respectively. Both a false-positive BTA test and VUC were found to predict recurrence. Conclusion: The BTA test is equal or sup erior to VUC in the detection of BC in patients undergoing routine sur veillance for recurrent BC.