Andrew A Chen1, Michael Grasso. 1. Department of Urology, St Vincent Catholic Medical Center, New York, New York 10011, USA. a_a_chen@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) assay has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the detection of recurrent transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder and in the initial workup of hematuria. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our initial 94 FISH specimens taken from patients monitored for upper-tract TCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2007, 43 patients had one or more FISH assays performed as part of the workup and management of upper-tract TCC. Of 94 specimens sent for FISH analysis, 25 voided specimens collected at an outpatient encounter and 40 specimens taken as a bladder wash or selective upper-tract washing under anesthesia were followed by upper-tract endoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of the FISH assay for detecting urothelial lesions in this population were calculated and compared with cytology specimens from the same sources. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity of FISH in the detection of TCC in this population was 52%, compared with 26% for urinary cytology. Both FISH and cytology showed superior sensitivity for high-grade (79% and 50%, respectively) nu low-grade tumors (41% and 12%, respectively). Selective upper-tract washings were more sensitive and specific for upper-tract TCC than bladder washings or voided specimens. CONCLUSIONS: While the sensitivity of FISH for upper-tract TCC parallels its performance in bladder cancer, the preponderance of low-grade, recurrent disease in the population undergoing surveillance and minimally invasive therapy for upper-tract TCC may limit its usefulness in this setting. Until a high-sensitivity marker for low-grade urothelial lesions is developed, the surveillance of upper-tract TCC will continue to require vigilant direct visual inspection.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) assay has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the detection of recurrent transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder and in the initial workup of hematuria. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our initial 94 FISH specimens taken from patients monitored for upper-tract TCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2007, 43 patients had one or more FISH assays performed as part of the workup and management of upper-tract TCC. Of 94 specimens sent for FISH analysis, 25 voided specimens collected at an outpatient encounter and 40 specimens taken as a bladder wash or selective upper-tract washing under anesthesia were followed by upper-tract endoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of the FISH assay for detecting urothelial lesions in this population were calculated and compared with cytology specimens from the same sources. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity of FISH in the detection of TCC in this population was 52%, compared with 26% for urinary cytology. Both FISH and cytology showed superior sensitivity for high-grade (79% and 50%, respectively) nu low-grade tumors (41% and 12%, respectively). Selective upper-tract washings were more sensitive and specific for upper-tract TCC than bladder washings or voided specimens. CONCLUSIONS: While the sensitivity of FISH for upper-tract TCC parallels its performance in bladder cancer, the preponderance of low-grade, recurrent disease in the population undergoing surveillance and minimally invasive therapy for upper-tract TCC may limit its usefulness in this setting. Until a high-sensitivity marker for low-grade urothelial lesions is developed, the surveillance of upper-tract TCC will continue to require vigilant direct visual inspection.
Authors: M Rink; M Adam; J Hansen; F K Chun; S A Ahyai; M Remzi; T Schlomm; O Engel; R Heuer; C Eichelberg; M Fisch; R Dahlem; S F Shariat Journal: Urologe A Date: 2012-09 Impact factor: 0.639
Authors: Thomas F Chromecki; Karim Bensalah; Mesut Remzi; Grégory Verhoest; Eugene K Cha; Douglas S Scherr; Giacomo Novara; Pierre I Karakiewicz; Shahrokh F Shariat Journal: Nat Rev Urol Date: 2011-07-05 Impact factor: 14.432