According to a recent survey by the European Urological Association, 43% of people who see blood in their urine do not immediately seek medical help.

“The main reason to investigate a hematuria is to rule out the possibility of malignancy in the urinary system and more often bladder cancer,” points out Mr. Ioannis Bouzalas, Urologist – Director of the 6th Urology Clinic, Clinic of Endourology and Minimally Invasive Treatment of Urolithiasis, Metropolitan General and continues:

“It is estimated that 1 in 5 patients with visible hematuria and 1 in 12 with non-visible hematuria will develop bladder malignancy.” Factors that predispose to a higher risk of malignancy are:

• The age
• Gender
• Smoking
• The radiation in the area
• Occupational exposure to chemicals
• The abuse of anti-inflammatory and analgesics

Today, urologists have even more and more accurate diagnostic tools for the complete investigation of a hematuria and the early diagnosis of bladder cancer.

NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) technology allows the visualization of suspicious lesions, which may not be visible with conventional cystoscopy. Thus, a valid and early diagnosis of bladder tumors is achieved, improving the outcome for the patient.

“According to the available scientific data, 17% more lesions are identified with the use of NBI, which may not be diagnosed with white light cystoscopy. At the same time, the NBI technology increases by 28% the accuracy in the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ, a particularly aggressive form of bladder cancer.

Numerous studies, including a growing number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, highlight the clinical value of NBI, especially in bladder cancer detection and risk of recurrence. The results of these studies show that the use of NBI has many clinical benefits compared to conventional cystoscopy, and there are no contraindications to the use of NBI. It is clinically proven that with the use of NBI during endourological procedures, more superficial bladder tumors are diagnosed. This ultimately leads to reduced rates of recidivism”, concludes Mr. Bouzalas.