Diagnostic cystoscopy in combination with transurethral resection of the bladder tumour are the standard for the diagnosis, surgical treatment and surveillance of bladder cancer. The ability to inspect the bladder in its current form stems from a long chain of advances in imaging science and endoscopy. Despite these advances, bladder cancer recurrence and progression rates remain high after endoscopic resection. This stagnation is a result of the heterogeneity of cancer biology as well as limitations in surgical techniques and tools, as incomplete resection and provider-specific differences affect cancer persistence and early recurrence. An unmet clinical need remains for solutions that can improve tumour delineation and resection. Translational advances in enhanced cystoscopy technologies and artificial intelligence offer promising avenues to overcoming the progress plateau.
Nature reviews. Urology. 2024 Jul 09 [Epub ahead of print]
Eugene Shkolyar, Steve R Zhou, Camella J Carlson, Shuang Chang, Mark A Laurie, Lei Xing, Audrey K Bowden, Joseph C Liao
Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA., Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA., Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA., Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. .