Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a vision for the future

Abstract

The management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has evolved from the first reports on bladder endoscopy and transurethral resection to the introduction of adjuvant intravesical treatment. However, disease recurrence and progression remain an ongoing risk, placing a heavy burden on healthcare resources and on patients’ quality of life. Deeper understanding of the molecular basis of the disease and developments in optics, lasers and computer science are already offering opportunities to revolutionize care and improve long-term prognosis. This article discusses developments likely to cause a paradigm shift towards the delivery of personalized care and reduced burden of disease in NMIBC.

Keywords:

• Biomarkers
• bladder cancer
• cost effectiveness
• diagnosis
• flexible cystoscopy
• laser
• medicotechnology

Introduction

The costs of cancer management are spiralling as the growing number of drugs and technologies offers more lines of treatment and longer survival for patients [1]. Available resources must be used as cost effectively as possible while ensuring delivery of high-quality care. One of the most expensive malignancies to manage, on a per-patient basis, is bladder cancer, which affects nearly 430,000 new patients each year and has a 5 year prevalence of more than 1.3 million worldwide [2]. Although mortality is relatively low, disease recurrence and progression remain an ongoing risk. The resulting need for regular, long-term follow-up [3,4] places a heavy burden on patients and on healthcare services, costing the European Union €4.9 billion in 2012 [5].

Deeper understanding of the biology of bladder cancer and improvements in medical technology are paving the way for a paradigm shift towards personalized care of patients with bladder cancer. Such an approach is crucial to curb healthcare expenditure, facilitate adherence to follow-up schedules and improve patient outcomes. This review provides an overview of the advances in molecular diagnostics, imaging and resection that can achieve this vision. The most relevant and recent articles are cited in the text; further interesting articles can be found in the online Supplementary material.

Improving bladder cancer diagnosis

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for 70% of bladder cancer cases and around three-quarters of the financial burden of the disease. This term embraces papillary tumours confined to the mucosa (stage Ta) or invading the lamina propria (T1) but not the muscularis propria, as well as flat, high-grade tumours [carcinoma in situ (CIS)]. However, these disease stages are associated with different malignant potential [6], so more specific characterization of each patient’s disease is crucial to ensure that the most appropriate treatment and follow-up are offered. For example, accurate assessment of the patient’s risk of progression will determine the extent to which cystectomy rather than bladder-sparing treatment can benefit or harm long-term prognosis, thus guiding treatment decisions.

Detection

Haematuria is the most common presenting symptom in patients with NMIBC, but it is not specific to bladder cancer and in the large majority of cases no malignancy is found. Patients therefore require further assessment to reach a definitive diagnosis. Sensitive and specific non-invasive biomarkers offer a resource-minimal means of identifying the need for further work-up, including appropriate referral, or providing reliable reassurance that cancer is not present.

Urine testing

The ideal urine test should have both high sensitivity and high specificity to ensure appropriate selection, and avoid unnecessary use, of further diagnostic approaches, such as cystoscopy. Several urine tests are already available (voided-urine cytology, UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization, Immunocyt/uCyt, nuclear matrix protein 22, bladder tumour antigen stat, cytokeratins and microsatellite analysis) but use is limited by inconsistent sensitivity and poor specificity, particularly in detecting low-stage and low-grade disease [3,4,7]. Many other epigenetic, genomic, proteomic and metabolomic markers have been identified [8], although they are not yet available for routine bladder cancer assessment. Panels of DNA methylation markers can detect bladder cancer from urine or tissue samples with high sensitivity. For example, urine-based analysis of BCL2, CDKN2A and NID2 methylation can differentiate bladder cancer from other urothelial malignancies and non-malignant conditions with more than 80% sensitivity and specificity [9]. Microarray testing of gene panels can achieve a diagnostic sensitivity of 90%, albeit with a reduced specificity of 65% [10]. By contrast, a protein biomarker panel of interleukin-8, vascular endothelial growth factor and apolipoprotein E, assessed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, achieved a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 97% in voided urine [11].

Improved understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of bladder cancer and technological improvements in biomarker testing can be harnessed to develop affordable assays for rapid diagnosis of bladder cancer, using kits that can be applied in primary care or even in the patient’s own home, analogous to pregnancy testing or glucose monitoring. One investigational approach involves using biosensors, such as the “electronic nose”, to measure volatile compounds in urine, which could aid consistent and reproducible differentiation of bladder cancer from non-malignant pathology [12].

Urinary tract imaging

Radiology

Radiographic imaging is crucial for the detection of upper-tract malignancies and tumour spread, and can help to distinguish malignancy from other disorders, such as stones. Newly developed computed tomography (CT) urography protocols with bladder filling have similar sensitivity (87%) and specificity (99%) to those of flexible cystoscopy (87% and 100%, respectively) [13], but may miss small or flat lesions and it exposes patients to a high radiation dose, particularly if a standard three-phase protocol is used. There is also a risk of contrast-induced nephrotoxicity.

These risks need to be minimized. The use of biomarkers to confidently exclude non-malignant conditions will avoid unnecessary radiation exposure in these patients. The radiation dose can be reduced using two-phase CT and split-bolus techniques. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers high soft-tissue contrast without the need for ionizing radiation, although it is more expensive than CT and relatively insensitive for detecting stones. Improvements in MRI technology include multiparametric imaging combining anatomical and functional sequences, which offers the possibility of local and nodal staging of bladder cancer and can potentially provide prognostic information. For the diagnosis of bladder cancer, diffusion-weighted MRI has a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 85% and it can differentiate NMIBC from muscle-invasive disease with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 90% [14].

Cystoscopy

Currently, a definitive diagnosis still relies on cystoscopy and transurethral resection of suspicious lesions in the operating room, followed by pathological assessment of the resected tissue. Several advanced optical imaging tools are already available or in clinical development to improve bladder visualization during cystoscopy (Table 1) [15]. International guidelines recommend supplementing white-light cystoscopy (WLC) with techniques such as photodynamic diagnosis using blue-light cystoscopy (BLC) during examination of the bladder to increase detection of neoplastic lesions (grade of recommendation: B) [3,4,16].

Table 1. Optical imaging technology to improve tumour detection as adjuncts to white-light cystoscopy (adapted from Zlatev et al., 2015 [15]).

Technology	Equipment	Mechanism	Field of view	Depth of view	Status
BLC	Standard rigid or flexible cystoscope + blue-light emitter	Fluorescence (requires exogenous contrast, e.g. HAL)	Broad	Surface	Clinical
NBI	Standard rigid or flexible cystoscope + light emitter	Light absorption	Broad	Surface	Clinical
SPIES	Standard rigid or flexible cystoscope + light emitter	Light absorption, digital enhancement	Broad	Surface	Investigational
OCT	Probe (2.7 mm)	Light scattering	Microscopic (10–20 μm)	∼2.5 mm	Investigational
Raman spectroscopy	Probe (2.1 mm)	Light scattering (± surface-enhancing nanoparticles)	Microscopic	2 mm	Investigational
CLE	Probe (0.85–2.6 mm)	Fluorescence (requires exogenous fluorescein)	Microscopic (1–3.5 μm)	120 μm	Investigational
Multiphoton microscopy	Scope/probe	Autofluorescence	Microscopic (∼1 μm)	0.5–1 mm	Investigational

BLC: blue-light cystoscopy; NBI: narrow-band imaging; SPIES: Storz Professional Image Enhancement System; OCT: optical coherence tomography; CLE: confocal laser endomicroscopy; HAL: hexaminolevulinate.

BLC relies on the preferential uptake of a haem precursor by tumour cells in contrast to normal tissue, so that tumour tissue fluoresces red under blue light. Lesions are thus clearly distinguished from the normal bladder lining, improving visualization of the full extent of the tumour and of any small lesions or CIS not readily visible under white light. In international, multicentre trials involving over 1800 patients, BLC with hexaminolevulinate as the photosensitizer significantly improved detection of Ta, T1 and CIS lesions compared with WLC. In a patient-level meta-analysis [17], 25% of patients had at least one additional Ta or T1 tumour seen with BLC that was missed by WLC, with CIS detected only by BLC in 27% of patients (p < 0.001). Recurrence was evaluated in two multicentre, parallel-group trials involving more than 1000 patients [18,19]. Meta-analysis of the findings from these studies together with data from a smaller single-centre study showed that recurrence rates up to 12 months were significantly lower with BLC than WLC (35% vs 45%, respectively; relative risk 0.761; p = 0.006) and the benefit was seen across risk groups and disease stages [17]. Long-term follow-up (median 4.5 years) of 551 patients showed a significantly reduced risk of recurrence, prolonged time to recurrence and a trend towards reduced progression to stage T2–4 disease after BLC-guided transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) compared with WLC-guided TURB [20]. Using a new definition of progression proposed by the International Bladder Cancer Group [21], which includes any increase in T stage, including from Ta to T1 or CIS, or change from low to high grade, the trend towards reduced progression (particularly from Ta to CIS) with BLC was clearer and time to progression was significantly prolonged [22]. Real-world experience confirms that BLC can improve detection compared with best quality WLC and indicates reduced recurrence following hexaminolevulinate-guided TURB, although controversy exists with regard to the additional effect of BLC when intravesical mitomycin C is also used [23–25]. Budget impact modelling indicates that the benefit of BLC can be achieved with no added costs, despite the need for investment in a specialized cystoscope, light source and camera head [26].

Narrow-band imaging (NBI) relies on increased vascularization of cancer tissue compared with normal tissue. It uses two light wavelengths (415 nm and 540 nm), which are absorbed by haemoglobin in superficial capillary networks and subepithelial vessels, providing enhanced contrast between vascularized cancer tissue and the normal urothelium. In a meta-analysis of eight clinical trials (mostly single-centre studies, including three reports from the same US centre) involving around 1000 patients [27], NBI had increased sensitivity over WLC (94% vs 85%, respectively), with similar specificity (85% vs 87%, respectively) for the detection of any NMIBC; for CIS detection, the sensitivity and specificity of NBI were 93% and 77%, respectively. Single- and two-centre studies report reduced 1 year recurrence rates with NBI compared with WLC [28,29]. However, in an ongoing global, randomized trial conducted by the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society, interim results from 596 patients who had 12 months of follow-up showed that, despite a significant improvement in detection with NBI versus WLC, 1 year recurrence rates were not statistically significantly different between groups (27.1% vs 25.4%, respectively; p = 0.585); the only subgroup in which recurrence was significantly reduced with NBI versus WLC was low-risk patients (5.6% vs 27.3%, respectively; p = 0.002) [30]. Mature results are awaited from the full data set (almost 1000 patients have been enrolled to date). A network meta-analysis found no significant difference between NBI and BLC in terms of reduced recurrence risk compared with WLC [31]; however, the two methods have not been directly compared in clinical trials.

The Storz Professional Image Enhancement System (SPIES) digitally enhances the wide-field image of the bladder surface, allowing the urologist to choose the best enhancement method in different clinical situations, for example to increase contrast or overcome visual interference due to haematuria. In an analysis of 100 images by 73 urologists, specific modes provided different benefits depending on the complexity of the case being studied [32]. SPIES can be used with a digital cystoscope in the operating room or outpatient setting, and it can be combined with BLC to maximize sensitivity and specificity. Early experience suggests that SPIES has a similar detection rate to NBI, regardless of tumour stage [33]; however, good-quality data are needed from an ongoing international, multicentre, randomized controlled trial to identify whether the digital enhancement offered by SPIES translates into improved outcomes for patients [34].

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high-resolution cross-sectional images of tissue structure to a depth of 2.5 mm. OCT is analogous to ultrasonography, except that it uses light rather than sound, achieving an image resolution of 1–5 μm, which is 10–100 times higher than ultrasound. Recent developments in light sources and systems have enabled OCT to provide non-invasive cellular imaging at a level approaching that achieved with histopathology. Frequency-domain OCT offers increased sensitivity and imaging speed, not only providing comprehensive visualization of tissue morphology, but also allowing tissue dynamics and biomechanical properties to be studied. OCT is already established in ophthalmic imaging. Other emerging uses include intravascular imaging and as three-dimensional guidance for surgical intervention. Real-time OCT can be used in vivo to perform tissue analysis (so-called “optical biopsy”) to reduce the need for invasive biopsy procedures. Preliminary clinical experience in bladder cancer indicates that OCT has a sensitivity of 84–100% and specificity of 65–81% in detecting NMIBC [35–37]. Identification of regions of interest to investigate with OCT, for example using BLC, increases specificity up to 98% [38]. The technique can differentiate between the anatomical layers of the bladder wall (urothelium, lamina propria and muscularis propria), based on a loss of differentiation in the amplitude of scattered light between tissue layers, and thus could be of use in real-time in vivo bladder cancer staging.

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful in vivo method for distinguishing tissues based on their unique Raman signature, i.e. the spectrum of peaks produced by changes in energy levels of near-infrared light as it is reflected back off tissue. Functional information can be gathered from the vibrational pattern or changes in the vibrational pattern of tissue. This approach can be used without exogenous contrast agents but surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles can augment the results [39]. Issues with fluorescence and ambient light affecting the Raman signal can be overcome using shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS), which is able to accurately estimate the fluorescence background and correct for interfering bands from surrounding light sources [40]. SERDS relies on two separate wavelengths derived either from two laser sources or from a monolithic, one-chip laser source, which is compact, easy to operate and low cost, and allows the wavelength separation to be adjusted to match the shift to a specific biomarker. These lasers will result in a step change in the use of SERDS in clinical applications, such as differentiation of malignant from non-malignant tissue and low-grade from high-grade tumours. In bladder cancer, preliminary clinical trials have confirmed the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy during cystoscopy [41].

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) provides dynamic, high-resolution images of in vivo cellular and subcellular morphology, which could allow real-time optical biopsy for pathological assessment of tissue to substantially reduce the number of physical biopsies that are needed. The technique requires prior topical or intravenous administration of a contrast agent and direct tissue contact with an imaging probe, which can be passed through the biopsy channel of any conventional cystoscope. Low-power laser light is then shone on to the tissue and reflected from the tissue back through the same lens, so that only returning light refocused through the pinhole is detected. The resulting image resolution is comparable to that of conventional histopathology, allowing subcellular structures to be visualized. Images are streamed at a rate of 12 frames per second, allowing real-time videos of the intestinal mucosa. Computer-aided “mosaicing” of the images allows compilation of multiple video frames to offer an increased field of view or three-dimensional imaging. CLE has been investigated in a range of indications in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary structures, lung and urinary tract. In bladder cancer, early clinical experience indicates that CLE can differentiate between malignant and non-malignant tissue and between high-grade and low-grade cancer [42,43]. An imaging atlas has been developed showing the in vivo microscopic features of benign, inflammatory and malignant tissue as well as high and low grades of bladder cancer [43].

Like CLE, multiphoton microscopy (MPM) uses laser light reflected off tissue to develop high-resolution three-dimensional images of tissue to a depth of 500 nm. In contrast to CLE, no exogenous fluorescent dyes are needed, because MPM harnesses intrinsic autofluorescent molecules stimulated by two or more photons and second harmonic generation or other contrast mechanisms. In ex vivo studies of human bladder biopsies, this technique had 88–99% accuracy in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions, with a sensitivity and specificity of 90–97% and 77–100%, respectively, for diagnosing bladder cancer [44,45], and it was able to identify 96% of CIS cases [45]. MPM was also able to correctly assign cytological grade (benign/low versus high) in 68% of cases [44]. As such, it is one of the few novel technologies that may have a role in tumour grading.

Developments in scanning fibre endoscopy, which will allow endoscopes in the future to be thinner, longer, more flexible and able to integrate the many recent advances of laser diagnostics and therapies, will allow accurate in vivo tumour characterization and tailored treatment decisions. For example, BLC could be used to identify suspicious areas, which are then immediately examined with OCT, Raman spectroscopy, CLE or MPM to confirm whether suspicious areas are malignant or non-malignant. If neoplastic, then the technology will provide information on the grading and depth of tumour invasion; for example, OCT, Raman spectroscopy, CLE and MPM can be used to visualize below the surface of the bladder wall into the muscularis mucosa and can therefore differentiate between stage Ta, T1a, corresponding to the superficial layer of the lamina propria, and stage T1b, corresponding to the deeper layer of the lamina propria. The urologist will then be in a position to make an instant decision on how best to treat the patient.

Initial resection

Good-quality TURB is crucial to make the correct diagnosis and ensure complete removal of all visible lesions to maximize prognosis [3]. In addition to the use of enhanced imaging techniques, such as BLC, to improve bladder visualization, different TURB techniques have been developed to reduce the risk of complications and to improve tissue collection. For example, bipolar energy sources are an alternative to conventional monopolar TURB, with a meta-analysis of eight trials indicating shorter operation time (p = 0.002), shorter hospital stay (p < 0.001), less blood loss (p < 0.001) and fewer cases of obturator nerve reflex (p < 0.001) and bladder perforation (p = 0.003) with bipolar versus monopolar TURB [46].

Data from a small proof-of-concept study show that circulating tumour cells are increased during TURB compared with preoperative rates, indicating a risk of tumour cell seeding and potential metastasis [47]. En bloc tumour resection has been advocated to reduce the risk of this seeding, and this approach is in concordance with the management of other cancers. Studies have shown that it is feasible, but it may not be achievable in all parts of the bladder (e.g. where there is a risk of intraperitoneal perforation) or with particularly large tumours, and there is as yet no evidence of improved outcomes for patients. Lasers can also be used to devascularize the tumour, by illuminating the blood vessels at the base of the tumour at a wavelength that is absorbed by haemoglobin. Energy accumulation in haemoglobin and surrounding tissue causes coagulation and clotting, resulting in tumour ischaemia. The tumour itself is not removed during the procedure but is subsequently exfoliated in the urine [48].

To increase the probability of complete removal of lesions, a second TURB is often recommended within 2–6 weeks of the initial resection [3,4]. However, this approach places additional burdens on healthcare resources and on patients without necessarily adding value in all cases; for example, a retrospective multicentre analysis of 2451 patients with high-grade T1 NMIBC indicated that a second TURB did not improve outcomes in patients with a visually complete primary TURB and muscle in the initial specimen [49]. Instead, complete initial resection should be the goal, using the latest endoscopic equipment offering improved bladder visualization and tumour detection, as outlined above. Re-TURB would then be necessary only in rare circumstances such as to review the bladder after removal of large tumours, where the size of the resection area may make assessment of completeness difficult at the end of the initial resection. If the goal is to obtain additional biopsies such as from the prostatic urethra, an alternative approach would be to use outpatient flexible cystoscopy guided by BLC or NBI with biopsies or, in time, OCT, Raman spectroscopy, CLE or MPM.

Staging and grading

Accurate classification of the bladder tumour is critical to ensure that patients receive optimal treatment and follow-up. Different grading systems have been used for bladder cancer, with the most widely used approaches being those of the World Health Organization (WHO), published in 1973 and 2004. The 1973 system has been reported to be more suitable than the 2004 system for predicting outcomes, especially for patients with stage T1 NMIBC [50]. However, the favoured approach is the 2004 system, which stratifies lesions into papillary urothelial neoplasia of low malignant potential and low- and high-grade urothelial carcinoma. The choice of grading system may have an impact on treatment decisions: according to one retrospective analysis, since implementation of the 2004 system, the number of Ta tumours being classified as high grade has increased, with no associated increase in disease progression rates, suggesting that patients are being treated more aggressively [51].

Bladder cancer classification currently relies on subjective assessment of the histopathology of biopsy and resection specimens, resulting in inconsistent reporting between and within pathologists [3,52]. Referral to a second, expert reviewer, at least for uncertain or high-risk cases, potentially using virtual microscopy with digital slides, could improve accuracy but does not always result in a significant impact on diagnosis or management. Thus, there remains a need for a more objective and reproducible approach. Molecular profiling confirms that low-grade papillary tumours and high-grade invasive tumours have different oncogenic pathways (constitutive activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase/Ras pathway and defects in the p53 and retinoblastoma protein pathways, respectively [6]). Early studies indicate that molecular markers could feasibly be used to differentiate tumour grades and stages [53]. The development of practical and affordable assays, based primarily on urine samples, that rapidly and accurately classify tumour aggressiveness must be a priority for researchers.

Biomarker information could then be combined with clinical characteristics and imaging findings to derive an individualized risk assessment for each patient, allowing an effective, personalized management pathway to be mapped out. A four-tier system has been proposed, combining features of both WHO systems with molecular markers and clinical prognostic factors to offer more granular grading of tumours [54]. In addition, the ongoing European FP7 Uromol project is collecting data from 2000 patients to develop a risk score based on a panel of molecular and clinical risk factors, which the researchers predict could save more than €40 million annually by reducing the frequency of unnecessary cystoscopies in low-risk patients, as well as improving outcomes and quality of life for patients (www.uromol.eu).

Follow-up

Follow-up currently involves regular cystoscopy, which places a huge strain on healthcare resources at substantial cost to society [55,56], increases patients’ anxiety and discomfort, and does not prevent all cases of recurrence or progression. Urinary markers could optimize decisions on the appropriate timing and duration of follow-up for each patient, assuming that they could demonstrate reasonable sensitivity and specificity for low- and intermediate-risk NMIBC and a high specificity for high-risk NMIBC [3]. Many research groups have identified a range of urine biomarkers, such as DNA methylation, HER2, TP53, FGFR3, RAS and VEGF mutations, profilin 1, p53 and cyclin D3 expression, and microRNAs such as miR-9, miR-182, miR-200a and miR-200b, which can distinguish between patients who are likely and those who are unlikely to experience recurrence or progression. For example, The Uromol project has reported that urinary DNA markers, including FGFR3, PIK3CA and RAS mutations, microsatellite and methylation analyses, have 66–68% sensitivity for detecting recurrence; sensitivity is increased using combinations of these markers [57]. Such an approach could reduce the need for follow-up cystoscopy altogether or at least allow the period between cystoscopies to be extended if it can provide reassurance that a patient is disease free.

In addition, the need for rigid cystoscopy in the operating room can be substantially reduced using the latest flexible equipment in the outpatient setting to detect and manage early recurrences. It is already possible to use hexaminolevulinate-guided BLC with a flexible scope, which achieves greater detection of recurrent disease, including small lesions, than white-light flexible cystoscopy [58–60]. As a result, recurrences can be detected at an earlier stage and can be instantly removed or devascularized with the latest laser technology in the outpatient department without the need for sedation [48]. Such an approach can reduce costs [61] and will take pressure off healthcare services, as only patients with large or multifocal recurrences need to be referred to the operating room, as well as reducing the burden of disease on patients.

Conclusion

A good outcome for patients with NMIBC depends on multiple factors, including not just the characteristics of the cancer but also the technology available, the anaesthetic approach, the skill of the surgeon and multidisciplinary support. The future of NMIBC care will effectively integrate these factors to reduce healthcare costs and improve patients’ quality of life and compliance.

Technological advances are paving the way towards significantly improved diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with NMIBC. Looking at the wealth of ongoing research into improving technology and treatment approaches, this article lays out a vision for the management of NMIBC in the future, which will ensure that patients with the poorest prognosis receive the most aggressive treatment, while low-risk patients are not subjected to unnecessary procedures (Table 2, Figure 1).

Figure 1. Current and proposed future management pathway for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. CT: computed tomography; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; WLC: white-light cystoscopy; BLC: blue-light cystoscopy; OCT: optical coherence tomography; RS: Raman spectroscopy; CLE: confocal laser endomicroscopy; TURB: transurethral resection of the bladder; EORTC: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer; CUETO: Club Urológico Español de Tratamiento Oncológico; MMC: mitomycin C; BCG: bacille Calmette–Guérin; FU: follow-up; WLFC: white-light flexible cystoscopy; BLFC: blue-light flexible cystoscopy.

Table 2. Technological advances to improve diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Technology	Benefits
Non-invasive biomarker testing, including point-of-care urine tests	Rapid differential diagnosis, with high sensitivity and specificity for bladder cancer, identifying patients requiring further investigation
Advanced optical imaging tools, e.g. blue-light cystoscopy and narrow-band imaging	Accurate and complete visualization of the bladder to improve lesion detection and resection
“Red flag” imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography, Raman spectroscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy and multiphoton microscopy, in association with standardized pathology reporting	Detailed in vivo characterization of tumours (including staging and grading), providing precise risk classification to determine appropriate choice of treatment and follow-up schedule
Outpatient flexible cystoscopy using state-of-the-art technology, including blue-light guidance and laser treatment	Reduced burden of follow-up, as tumours are detected early and fulgurated or ablated immediately without the need for hospitalization and general anaesthesia
Follow-up schedules tailored to individual patients	Allowing intervals between visits to be extended where appropriate and minimizing the duration of follow-up in patients with the lowest risk of recurrence

These goals may require updating of equipment, training of staff and logistical review of clinic arrangements, but the authors believe that all of these are achievable and will improve the management of patients and reduce the high burden of NMIBC.

Disclosure statement

PUM has provided services as a speaker in meetings funded by Photocure ASA, Oslo, Norway, and acts as an adviser for Photocure. SA and MB act as advisers for Photocure. PJB has received honoraria for consultancy from Astellas, Janssen and Olympus, and for advisory board participation from Photocure, Amgen, Astellas, Janssen and Bristol-Myers Squibb. BM has received consultancy fees from Olympus, Ipsen and Cepheid. DZ has received honoraria from Photocure and Ipsen, and has participated on an expert panel for Ipsen. GGH has provided services as a speaker in meetings funded by Photocure and acts as an adviser for Photocure.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Photocure ASA, Oslo, Norway