[Value of microhematuria, urine cytology, TPA and neopterin in the after care of patients with bladder tumors].

Tumor recurrences were observed 70 times in 715 cystoscopies performed in 253 patients. The sensitivity of microhematuria to detect a tumor recurrence was 61%, the specificity 84%. The sensitivity of microhematuria increased to 90% in Tis and T2 tumors. Urine cytology showed a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of only 43%. The specificity and sensitivity of TPA was only 58% and 41%, respectively, the latter increased to 80% in Tis. 60 patients with proven tumor recurrence showed an increase of neopterin with higher tumor stage. In tumors of stage T2 and Tis serum neopterin was raised in 90% and urine neopterin in 75%. Based on these results cystoscopy, exfoliative urinary cytology and urine analysis are obligatory in the follow-up of patients with superficial bladder cancer. Because of the low specificity (29-41%) TPA and neopterin are not suitable for follow-up.