BLADDER CANCER

Urine tests to screen for bladder Ca:

• Urine telomerase activity
  • Highly specific (J. Urol. 161:388, 1999--JW)
  • Urine telomerase concentration had sensitivity/specificity of 90%/88% c/w 
    cystoscopy in a case-control study in 134 men with bladder cancer and 84 
    controls. Urine cytology had sensitivity of only 47% (JAMA 294:2052, 
    2005--JW)
• Urine Bladder Tumor-associated Antigen ("BTA Stat")
• Urine Nuclear Matrix Proteins ("NMP22")
• Urine fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products
• Urine ultrasensitive assay for hemoglobin

Low fluid intake was a risk factor in a 10y prospective study of 48,000 men (NEJM 340:1390, 1999--JW)