Bard(R)BTA(R) test compared with voided urine cytology in the diagnosis of recurrent bladder cancer

Objective: To compare the Bard(R) BTA(R) (bladder tumour antigen) test with voided urine cytology (VUC) in the diagnosis of recurrent bladder cancer (BC). Methods: Urine specimens for the BTA test and VUC were collected on the same day as before cystoscopy from patients undergoing routine surveillance cystoscopy for recurrent BC. The pathologists performing VUC were blinded to the results of the BTA test. Results: BC was identified by cystoscopy and biopsy in 39 of 164 study participants. The overall sensitivities of the BTA test and VUC were 54 and 28%, respectively (p < 0.05). The BTA test was more sensitive than VUC for all tumour stages and grades. For greater than or equal to T-2 tumours and grade 3 tumours, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The specificities of the BTA test and VUC were 92 and 97%, respectively. Both a false-positive BTA test and VUC were found to predict recurrence. Conclusion: The BTA test is equal or superior to VUC in the detection of BC in patients undergoing routine surveillance for recurrent BC.