Surveillance for Recurrent Bladder Cancer Using a Point-of-Care Proteomic Assay

Abstract
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in the United States. In 2005, there were an estimated 63 210 new cases and more than 13 000 deaths.1 There are 500 000 patients in the United States with a history of bladder cancer, making its prevalence higher than that of cancer of the lung and bronchus.2 The probability of recurrence ranges from 50% to 90%, depending on stage, grade, and number of primary tumors. Progression of stage and/or grade occurs in 10% to 50% of cases.3 Consequently, rigorous surveillance is advocated. A combination of methods is used to monitor patients at risk of recurrent bladder cancer because no single procedure is 100% sensitive.