Currently Available Urine-Based Tumour Markers in the Detection of New and Recurrent Urothelial Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer represents a major health care burden in many societies. Currently, cystoscopy and urinary cytology are the gold standard in bladder cancer detection. To further improve detection and/or to reduce expensive and invasive cystoscopies, highly sensitive and specific urine-based tumour markers are requested. Until now, several urine-based tumour markers for the detection and surveillance of bladder cancer have been developed and are commercially available. others are under research. This paper gives an overview of the currently commercially available urine-based tumour makers for bladder cancer. Information is based on a non-systematic PubMed literature search. All markers were at least in some studies superior to urinary cytology; however, none of them can be considered sensitive and specific enough alone to substantially reduce the necessity of cystoscopies. The recommended use of urine-based tumour markers therefore remains in adjunction to cystoscopy and for some of them in individual screening situations of patients at high risk.