Can cytomorphometry replace histomorphometry for grading of bladder tumours?

Cytomorphometry, using various cytopreparatory techniques on bladder washings and histomorphometry on the resected bladder tumours, was used in an attempt to answer the question: Can cytomorphometry replace histomorphometry for grading of bladder tumours? For the analysis of quantitative data, a probit model was used. Three out of the four cytomorphometric methods provided data supportive to the histomorphometry. Using one of the four cytomorphometric methods was sufficient to enhance grading accuracy and all were equally good. Two cases of high grade carcinoma in situ were properly identified by cytomorphometry (as judged on the follow-up data) but the concurrent resected papillary tumours were low grade. These findings indicate that cytomorphometry is a useful method in bladder tumour grading. In some cases it is preferable to histomorphometry.