Comparison of cytology and nuclear matrix protein 22 for the detection and follow-up of bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the clinical usefulness of the nuclear matrix


METHODS
84 patients suffering from bladder cancer or suspected bladder cancer, 25 patients with benign urological lesions and 60 healthy controls participated in a prospective study. Freshly voided spot urine samples were taken for cytological examination and determination of NMP 22 levels by enzyme-linked immunoassay.


RESULTS
The sensitivity of the NMP 22 test according to the tumor grading was (results of cytology in brackets): G1 25.0% (20.0%); G2 68.2% (59.1%), and G3 100.0% (66.7); overall sensitivity was 62.5% (45.0%). The sensitivity for superficial bladder cancer was 46.7% (36.7%) and for invasive bladder cancer 90.0% (70.0%). The specificity was 65.9% (88.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
NMP 22 is a reliable tool for detecting invasive bladder cancer. Results for the frequently occurring low grade superficial bladder cancer are as poor as those obtained with cytology. In addition benign lesions such as urolithiasis or urinary tract infection lead to false-positive results. Therefore cystoscopy has to be performed when trying to detect and follow-up bladder cancer.
Department of Urology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. sven.lahme@med.uni-tuebingen.de
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Krause
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C100379:nuclear matrix protein 22