Initial evaluation of the bladder tumor antigen test in superficial bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
We analyzed the value of the Bard bladder tumor antigen (BTA*) test for the diagnosis of stage Ta superficial bladder cancer and carcinoma in situ, and compared it to the highly sensitive bladder washing cytology.


METHODS
The BTA test is a latex agglutination test that qualitatively detects the presence of basement membrane complexes in the urine. A total of 60 patients with superficial bladder cancer underwent voided urine BTA analysis and bladder washing cytologies.


RESULTS
Of the patients 65% were correctly diagnosed with the BTA test compared to 32% with bladder washings, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The BTA test is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that is superior to bladder washing cytology for diagnosing superficial bladder cancer.
D'Hallewin
M A
MA
Department of Urology, St. Pieter University Hospital, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
Baert
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000652:urine; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000652:urine; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000652:urine
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm