Microscopic appearance of cells in urine cytological samples is the formal diagnostic approach adjunct to cystoscopy for the detection and follow-up of urinary tumors. However, cystoscopy is a surgical method and cytology may miss low-grade papillary tumors. Several assays and markers have been developed to assist in this. When combined with conventional cytology, uro-oncological diagnostic performance is improved. We review the value of these non-invasive modalities in comparison with urine cytomorphology in the work-up of urothelial malignancies.
Keywords: cytology; tumor markers; urinary neoplasms.