A Better Path to Bladder Cancer Detection: The Role of Blue Light Cystoscopy

November 12, 2024 at 01:00 AM EST

SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) When John noticed blood in his urine, he consulted his doctor and was quickly referred to a urologist. (John is a composite character, based on the experiences of real-life patients.)

John was diagnosed with bladder cancer using White Light Cystoscopy (WLC), a simple procedure for diagnosing non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). While this is the traditional diagnostic approach in most urology offices, it has limitations that can affect patient outcomes.

With WLC, it can be difficult to detect small lesions or flat lesions, such as carcinoma in situ (CIS). These missed tumors create the potential for cancer recurrence and the need for multiple transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) procedures. John, like many patients who receive WLC, had residual tumors after his initial TURBT and underwent multiple procedures to remove them.

John’s story is common and highlights the importance of accurate detection in early-stage bladder cancer. Fortunately, an enhanced procedure exists that significantly improves the visibility of bladder cancer lesions, especially hard-to-detect tumors like CIS. Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC) uses an FDA-approved imaging agent—not a dye—that makes cancer cells glow bright pink under blue light. The BLC procedure uses both white and blue lights to help achieve the best possible detection results. When fewer tumors are missed, it reduces the need for repeat procedures, while also offering a more complete picture of the tumor situation. This information can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and inform more appropriate treatment moving forward.

Patients diagnosed with bladder cancer should be aware that BLC is not available in all hospitals and medical centers, so patients may need to do some research to find a urologist who offers this procedure. BLC also requires the administration of the imaging agent, which means patients must arrive at least one hour before the procedure to be prepped.

After John’s experiences with WLC, he reached out to a urologist who offers the BLC enhanced detection option. Using BLC, his urologist identified additional tumors, and the resulting more-precise diagnosis improved his follow-up care and required fewer surgeries down the line. As John learned, BLC at the outset could have limited his cycle of missed tumors and repeated surgeries.

According to medical experts, patients should not have to wait until their second or third TURBT to receive the BLC enhanced detection option. Better tumor detection has the potential to provide better data to drive more accurate diagnosis. The sooner a patient is properly diagnosed, the sooner the best possible treatment can be administered.

While WLC remains a valuable tool, incorporating BLC enhances the process and, as a result, can lead to improved detection that can drive improved outcomes for bladder cancer patients.

Given the many advantages of Blue Light Cystoscopy in detecting NMIBC tumors, patients should consider exploring this option and speaking with their urologist about it. To find a list of locations that offer BLC, visit: rebrand.ly/Locations-For-BLC.

This article is sponsored by Photocure, Inc.

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Photo Credit: (c) fizkes / Shutterstock.com

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A Better Path to Bladder Cancer Detection: The Role of Blue Light Cystoscopy

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