Preselected biopsy for normal-appearing mucosa of superficial bladder carcinoma

Objectives: We examined the incidence of positive findings (concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS), frank carcinoma and dysplasia) for normal-appearing mucosal biopsies in superficial bladder carcinoma and the clinical outcome of patients with positive biopsy results. Methods: Eighty-four cases of newly diagnosed superficial bladder carcinoma, from whom biopsies of preselected cystoscopically normal-appearing mucosal tissue were taken at the time of initial treatment, were studied. Multivariate analysis by Cox's proportional hazards model was applied. Results: Twenty-seven percent of the patients with superficial bladder carcinoma showed positive biopsy results. Positive biopsy results independently influenced intravesical recurrence by Cox's proportional hazards model. Conclusions: Positive mucosal biopsy results are a significant indicator of intravesical recurrence in patients with superficial bladder carcinoma.