[Study on the diagnosis of urothelial cancer using multi-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)--comparative analysis between FISH and cytology].

To determine the diagnostic merit or demerit of genetic procedures using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for detecting both new and recurrent urothelial cancer, we analyzed the specimens from 81 out-patients with asymptomatic haematuria, aged over 40, in comparison with urine cytology. Of 10 with atypical cytology, 6 showed positive for FISH, and of these, 4 manifested urothelial cancer. FISH showed higher sensitivity in low/intermediate grade cases compared with cytology (FISH; 66.7% vs cytology; 11.1%). Of 15 primary bladder cancer, 4 showed recurrence, and all of these cases showed a positive FISH reaction, but only 1 in cytology. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FISH tests were 81.2, 72.3 and 74.1%, respectively, and these of cytology were 37.5, 98.5 and 86.4% respectively. The FISH test was superior to cytology for sensitivity, but specificity and accuracy were inferior. The FISH tests could be a potent procedure for detecting urothelial cancer in cases of low/intermediate grade, atypical cytology and surveillance setting.