[The BTA stat test in the follow-up for bladder cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the utility of the BTA stat test in the follow-up of asymptomatic patients with superficial carcinoma of the bladder.


METHODS
In 122 asymptomatic patients on follow-up for superficial bladder carcinoma, a sample of recently voided urine was obtained prior to cystoscopy and BTA stat test and cytology were performed. Thereafter we performed cystoscopy and TUR in those patients suspected of having recurrent bladder carcinoma.


RESULTS
51 patients had bladder cancer and 71 were tumor free. The sensitivity was 60.78% for the BTA stat test, 45% for cytology and 98% for cystoscopy. The specificity was 87.32%, 94.36% and 90.14%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 77.5 and 75.6, 85.16 and 70.5, and 87.7 and 98.46, respectively for each test. The sensitivity by grade was 23% for G1, 71.4% for G2 and 92.8% for G3 for the BTA test versus 15.3%, 37.5% and 85.7% for cytology. The sensitivity by stage was 46.6% for Ta, 52% T1 and 100% for T2-4 and Tis for the BTA test versus 26.6%, 40% and 80% for cytology.


CONCLUSIONS
The BTA stat test is superior to cytology in the follow-up of patients with bladder cancer. However, it has a low sensitivity in G1 and Ta and T1 tumors, therefore cystoscopy cannot be avoided.
Gutiérrez Baños
J L
JL
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario Valdecilla, Santander, Cantabria, España.
Martín García
B
B
de Diego Rodríguez
E
E
Hernández Rodríguez
R
R
Portillo Martín
J A
JA
Correas Gómez
M A
MA
del Valle Schaan
J I
JI
Roca Edreira
A
A
Rado Velázquez
M A
MA
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000652:urine*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000652:urine*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003558:Cystoscopy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014556:Urine / Q000166:cytology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; C112999:bladder tumor-associated antigen
El BTA stat test en el seguimiento del cáncer vesical.