The role of flow cytometry in urine cytology

Ahn, Han Jong; Kim, Hyun Joo; Kim, Choung Soo; Ahn, Tai Young; Gong, Gyeong Yeob; Lee, Inchul; Kim, Kwang Hoon

Abstract

We evaluated the results of urine cytology and urine flow cytometry in 33 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and 15 patients with other urologic diseases. The sensitivity of voided urine cytology, washed urine cytology, voided urine flow cytometry and washed urine flow cytometry was 39%, 54%, 57% and 66%, respectively. The specificity of voided urine cytology. washed urine cytology, voided urine flow cytometry and washed urine flow cytometry was 100%, 93%. 86% and 73%, respectively. Washed urine cytology or flow cytometry was more sensitive, but less specific than void urine cytology or flow cytometry. Flow cytometric measurement was superior to conventional cytology in sensitivity. Combination of voided urine cytology and flow cytometry significantly increased the sensitivity from 39% to 66% equal to that of washed urine flow cytometry. Combination of washed urine cytology and flow cytometry also increased the sensitivity from 54% to 75% but the difference was not significant. These results indicate that combination of voided urine cytology and flow cytometry is non-invasive and more sensitive method than conventional voided urine or washed urine cytology.