Cytology in the diagnosis and followup of transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium: a review with a case series.

Acceptance of the value of urinary cytology in transitional cell carcinoma has been mixed. Over-all accuracy is only fair to good and the results in mass screening are poor. However, cytology can be valuable in the serial evaluation of selected patients by the collection of multiple specimens. It is an important adjunct in upper tract lesions, in carcinoma in situ and in the evaluation of the patient with unexplained hematuria. Herein we analyze patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium with special reference to the use of cytology irrigation specimens from the bladder and the renal pelvis as an initial diagnostic tool and as an adjunctive technique for the evaluation of recurrence.