In authors or contributors

Inclusion of a molecular marker of bladder cancer in a clinical pathway for investigation of haematuria may reduce the need for cystoscopy

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Inclusion of a molecular marker of bladder cancer in a clinical pathway for investigation of haematuria may reduce the need for cystoscopy
Abstract
AIM: To examine prospectively the impact of adding a urinary biomarker of bladder cancer (Cxbladder TriageTM, CxbT) to a clinical pathway for investigating haematuria. METHODS: The clinical outcome of 571 patients with haematuria who presented to their general practitioner was reviewed. Outcome measurements included the findings of laboratory tests, imaging, cystoscopies, histology and specialist assessments. The data were used to model a theoretical clinical pathway that involved initial screening using CxbT in combination with imaging, and only test positive patients being referred for specialist assessment and cystoscopy. RESULTS: All patients underwent cystoscopy and 44 transitional cell carcinomas were diagnosed in the study cohort, with two low-risk cancers missed by CxbT, one of which was also not detected by imaging. When combined, imaging and CxbT had a sensitivity of 97.7% and negative predictive value of 99.8%. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, all significant bladder cancers were diagnosed by imaging and CxbT before cystoscopy was undertaken. The high negative predictive value of this clinical pathway would allow approximately one-third of patients with haematuria to be managed without cystoscopy.
Publication
The New Zealand Medical Journal
Date
Jun 21, 2019
Volume
132
Issue
1497
Pages
55-64
Journal Abbr
N. Z. Med. J.
PMID
31220066
ISSN
1175-8716
Language
en
Library Catalog
PubMed
Notes

Study topic
Evaluation of the impact of incorporating the Cxbladder Triage™ (CxbT) urinary biomarker into a clinical pathway for investigating haematuria, with the aim of reducing unnecessary cystoscopies.

Study type
Prospective observational study and theoretical pathway modelling (n=571 patients).

Key findings

  • In a cohort of 571 patients, combining CxbT with imaging achieved a sensitivity of 97.7% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.8% for detecting bladder cancer.
  • The revised pathway, which included CxbT and imaging but excluded routine cystoscopy for low-risk patients, would have safely avoided cystoscopy in approximately 32% of cases.
  • Only one very low-risk bladder lesion (2mm papillary) would have been missed using the new pathway, suggesting high clinical safety.
  • The updated haematuria assessment algorithm was adopted into Canterbury’s Community HealthPathways in February 2018, enabling primary care-led management with urologist oversight.
  • HealthPathways was instrumental in standardising the new approach and disseminating it to general practitioners, supporting safe and efficient triage in a resource-constrained health system.
Citation
Davidson, P. J., McGeoch, G., & Shand, B. (2019). Inclusion of a molecular marker of bladder cancer in a clinical pathway for investigation of haematuria may reduce the need for cystoscopy. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1497), 55–64. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31220066/