Chad R. Ritch, M.D., MBA, urologic oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, has already begun successfully using the technology which makes hard-to-see tumors that may be present in the bladder more visible, standing out against normal tissue and making it easier to identify and remove them.

 

Traditionally, when a tumor in the bladder is detected, doctors perform a transurethral resection, a surgical procedure where cancerous tissue is scraped out of the bladder. White light cystoscopy has been the standard for visualizing these suspicious lesions during the resection. However, when used on its own, harder-to-see tumors can often be missed, leaving cancerous cells behind which can result in recurrence or spread of the residual cancer cells deeper into the bladder.

 

Cysview works by exploiting fluorescent properties of naturally occurring molecules which are then transformed into liquid and injected into the bladder one hour prior to the cystoscopy to coat its lining. Abnormal cancerous cells will absorb this molecule making them appear red when exposed to light from a specific wavelength. Physicians are then better able to detect and remove the red glowing cancer cells in contrast to normal tissue, which appears in blue.

 

Studies have shown that use of Blue Light Cystoscopy has resulted in a 16 percent increase in detection of bladder tumors and approximately 10 percent decrease in cancer recurrence. In addition, patients who undergo Blue Light cystoscopy have a longer time to recurrence compared to those who have traditional white light cystoscopy.