Cystoscopy in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: When and how (Rigid or Flexible)

Abstract

Cystoscopy is a common procedure in the urological practice due to its ability to survey the bladder for a variety of indications. It is the principal means of diagnosis and surveillance of bladder tumors. Hematuria is the most common finding of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), as a consequence of that it is one of the most frequent reasons to perform cystoscopy. The follow-up of patients treated for NMIBC is of great importance because of the high incidence of recurrence and progression of the disease, whereby patients with NMIBC undergo cystoscopy repeatedly (every three months generally). At present, the schedule and methods of follow-up is a sign of patient's progression and recurrence risk, which has to be rated for each patient when follow-up begins. Moreover, before the development of flexible cystoscopy, patients underwent rigid cystoscopy with greater discomfort. The advance of flexible cystoscopy has significantly decreased the pain and discomfort associated with the procedure, and the flexible instrument is currently considered the standard tool to perform cystoscopy. However, controversies exist about the use of anesthetic gel during cystoscopy. The aim of this study is to report some short evidence about cystoscopy in particularly about the follow-up timing for NMIBC and the use of rigid or flexible cystoscopy.