[Tumor bladder antigen (TBA). A new method for the diagnosis and detection of recurrence of bladder cancer].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the usefulness and accuracy of the BTA test versus urinary cytology.

METHODS

The BTA test was performed in 45 patients distributed into three groups: group I comprised patients with hematuria of unknown origin; group II had a diagnosis of bladder cancer; and group III comprised patients who had undergone TUR for a bladder tumor and were undergoing endoscopic control evaluation. The sensitivity and specificity of each diagnostic method were determined for each group of patients.

RESULTS

The BTA test showed a higher sensitivity than urinary cytology in all groups, the difference being significant for groups II and III. Its specificity, however, was lower than that of cytology in groups I and III, and similar in group II.

CONCLUSION

The BTA test is a simple and useful method for the diagnosis and follow-up of bladder cancer. It has a higher sensitivity than urinary cytology, although its specificity is lower due to the higher number of false positives observed in patients with inflammatory bladder conditions. Randomized studies are warranted to determine if the accuracy of urinary cytology can be enhanced with the combined use of the BTA test which has been demonstrated to have a higher specificity.