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Comparison of ureteral washing and biopsy specimens in the community setting
Author(s) -
Renshaw Andrew A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
cancer cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.21456
Subject(s) - medicine , biopsy , needle biopsy , ureter , radiology , urology
BACKGROUND Ureteral lesions can be difficult to diagnose. The value of ureteral biopsy in addition to ureteral washings has not been defined clearly. METHODS All ureteral washings and biopsies with follow‐up that were performed at a single institution were reviewed. RESULTS In total, 39 patients underwent ureteral washing, ureteral biopsy, or both and had follow‐up: Eighteen patients had urothelial tumors at follow‐up (14 high‐grade carcinomas, 3 low‐grade carcinomas, and 1 papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential). The sensitivity was 79% for washings and 71% for biopsies ( P = 1.0), for a combined sensitivity of 100%. Biopsies often were scant, and cell blocks from biopsies and washings often were of value. CONCLUSIONS Ureteral washings and biopsies had similar sensitivity and appeared to be complementary. Cell blocks often are useful for both specimen types. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society.