Correlation between Cytology and Cystoscopy in the Follow-Up of Patients with Bladder Tumours

Abstract
The correlation between cytology and cystoscopy was established using data from 450 cytologic and cystoscopic examinations performed on 401 urology outpatients. Cytology specimens were interpreted by cytopathologists,without access to any clinical information. 311 examinations were performed on patients with present or past bladder tumour history and 139 on patients who were examined for other urological causes. Cytology specificity was good, with a low rate of false-positive results, and revealed 36% of cystoscopically visible tumours; sensitivity increased with tumour grade. In some patients, positive cytology preceded the appearance of tumoral lesions by several months. Cytology and cystoscopy are complementary methods for use in the management of patients with bladder tumours.