PRESELECTED BIOPSY FOR NORMAL-APPEARING MUCOSA OF SUPERFICIAL BLADDER-CARCINOMA

Objectives: We examined the incidence of positive findings (concomitan t carcinoma in situ (CIS), frank carcinoma and dysplasia) for normal-a ppearing mucosal biopsies in superficial bladder carcinoma and the cli nical outcome of patients with positive biopsy results. Methods: Eight y-four cases of newly diagnosed superficial bladder carcinoma, from wh om biopsies of preselected cystoscopically normal-appearing mucosal ti ssue were taken at the time of initial treatment, were studied. Multiv ariate analysis by Cox's proportional hazards model was applied. Resul ts: Twenty-seven percent of the patients with superficial bladder carc inoma showed positive biopsy results. Positive biopsy results independ ently influenced intravesical recurrence by Cox's proportional hazards model. Conclusions: Positive mucosal biopsy results are a significant indicator of intravesical recurrence in patients with superficial bla dder carcinoma.