Significance of Suspicious Urine Cytology (Class III) in Diagnostic Cystoscopy Follow-up of Bladder Cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate path to follow in the cystoscopic follow-up of patients with suspicious urine cytology but negative malignancy findings on cystoscopy. Methods: Data of 829 patients with bladder cancer between 2012 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient data including age, gender, recurrence, progression, and urine cytology results were analyzed. Results: Approximately 65% of patients with suspicious urine cytology results had recurrence or progression of bladder cancer at subsequent follow-up. This highlights the importance of urine cytology as a screening tool and demonstrates its effectiveness as a diagnostic tool in detecting bladder cancer. However, it should be noted that even patients with suspicious urine cytology are at risk of developing bladder cancer in the future. Conclusion: Evaluation of suspicious urine cytology results is an important step in the early diagnosis of bladder cancer. Although the test has diagnostic accuracy, it should be clinically interpreted and used in conjunction with other investigations to determine the patient’s cancer status.