Narrow-band imaging cystoscopy in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a prospective comparison to the standard approach

Objectives: A single-centre, prospective trial was performed aiming to assess the impact of narrow-band imaging (NBI) cystoscopy in cases of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in comparison to standard white light cystoscopy (WLC). Materials and methods: A total of 95 NMIBC-suspected consecutive cases were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were hematuria, positive urinary cytology or ultrasound suspicion of bladder tumors. All patients underwent WLC and NBI cystoscopy. Standard resection was performed for all lesions visible in white light and NBI transurethral resection of bladder tumors for only NBI-observed tumors. Results: The overall detection rates of NMIBC and carcinoma in situ (CIS) were significantly improved for NBI (96.2% versus 87.2% and 100% versus 66.7% respectively). Also, NBI cystoscopy showed significantly superior detection for CIS, pTa and overall tumors (95.2% versus 61.9%, 93.9% versus 85.2% and 94.8% versus 83.9% respectively). Additional tumors were diagnosed by NBI in a significant proportion of patients with CIS, pTa, pT1 and NMIBC (55.5% versus 11.1%, 26.5% versus 10.2%, 30% versus 10% and 30.8% versus 10.3%). Postoperative treatment was significantly improved due to NBI results (16.7% versus 5.1%). Conclusions: NBI cystoscopy represents a valuable diagnostic alternative in patients with NMIBC, with significant improvement in tumor visual accuracy as well as detection. This approach provides a substantial improvement to bladder cancer therapeutic management.