Blue-light cystoscopy and narrow-band imaging in bladder cancer management

Abstract

Despite the high resolution of modern imaging technology including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, cystoscopy remains the gold standard method for detecting bladder cancer. Cystoscopy is conventionally conducted with white light visualization, and the pitfalls of white light cystoscopy are well-recognized. Novel technologies to enhance visualization of bladder lesion have emerged during the past 20 years. Among them, blue-light cystoscopy (BLC) and narrow-band imaging (NBI) are the most promising and well-studied. Many clinical trials have suggested the benefit of these two technologies. In this review, we aim to summarize the data, evidence, and current role of BLC and NBI in clinical practice.

Keywords

• bladder cancer
• blue-light cystoscopy
• narrow-band imaging