Image analysis combined with visual cytology in the early detection of recurrent XXXX .

@entity1 @entity150 @entity1494
BACKGROUND: Early detection of recurrent transitional cell @entity150 (TCC) is important to permit early treatment, which produces maximal preservation of the bladder and maximum survival. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study attempted to determine the period of time over which urinary DNA image analysis combined with visual cytology is useful in the early detection of recurrent @entity1494 . The authors believe this study is unique in that it measured the effectiveness of this test (image analysis plus visual cytology combined) at varying times before clinical diagnosis of recurrence was made. The cohort was comprised of 175 urologic @entity1 from urologic practices across the U.S. Data, collected between January 1991 and February 1994, included cystoscopy, biopsy, DNA image analysis, and visual cytologic reports. RESULTS: Sixty @entity1 in the cohort were found to have active TCC whereas 115 @entity1 had a history of, but no active, disease during the follow-up period. As expected, the sensitivity and specificity of DNA image analysis in combination with visual cytology, and DNA image analysis alone, were greatest when urinary samples were obtained close to the time of diagnosis. In general, the longer the interval from the combined tests to the time of diagnosis, the lower the sensitivity. The combined tests had predictive value up to 3 months prior to clinical diagnosis when any detectable cytologic abnormality was considered positive. At the optimal cutoff points as determined from receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity increased when DNA image analysis was supplemented with visual cytology. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of DNA image analysis and visual cytology provides a better method for the early detection of recurrent TCC than DNA image analysis alone. This test potentially may be useful in providing information regarding @entity150 recurrence up to 3 months prior to clinical evidence of disease.
