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The Impact of Blue Light Cystoscopy on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Bladder Cancer

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery (T Guzzo, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Urology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Photodynamic diagnostic technique with blue light cystoscopy (BLC) takes advantage of the preferential uptake and accumulation of protoporphyrins in neoplastic tissue which emit a red fluorescence when illuminated with blue light (360–450 nm wavelengths). This allows enhanced visualization of small papillary tumors and flat carcinoma in situ lesions that might have been missed on white light cystoscopy (WLC). There is compelling evidence that the ability of BLC to detect these additional tumors translates into improved recurrence rates compared to WLC. However, the impact of BLC with regard to progression rates and in patients who are managed with intravesical therapy is not yet known. Further work is required to optimize the integration of BLC into clinical practice, but the future for BLC appears promising.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, 3rd Floor, West Pavilion, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Eugene J. Pietzak

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  1. Eugene J. Pietzak
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Correspondence to Eugene J. Pietzak.

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Eugene J. Pietzak declares no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Minimally Invasive Surgery

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Pietzak, E.J. The Impact of Blue Light Cystoscopy on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Bladder Cancer. Curr Urol Rep 18, 39 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-017-0685-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-017-0685-8

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