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Blue Light Cystoscopy

The UNC Department of Urology is one of only a few bladder cancer centers of excellence to offer blue light cystoscopy.

Blue Light Cystoscopy is a unique technology to detect and diagnose tumors in the bladder. Also known as Cysview®, this enhanced imaging procedure helps oncologists find bladder tumors more easily than standard cystoscopy (examination of the bladder through a small scope), which can miss some tumors that are too small to find with standard cystoscopy.

Cysview® (hexaminolevulinate HCl) is a contrast solution that is taken up by rapidly growing cells (such as bladder cancer cells) and turns bright pink or red under a special blue light.

Cysview® is being used for patient diagnosis all around the world.

In the images below, the bladder cancer is invisible under regular white light (left). With Cysview®, the tumor can be seen under blue light (right).

 

Used with permission of Photocure/Cysview ©

Why is Cysview® used?

For patients with suspected or known bladder cancer, the benefits of blue light cystoscopy:

  • Better inspection of the bladder for cancer, especially small or flat tumors
  • Better removal of bladder tumors when they are first discovered
  • Leads to fewer recurrences of bladder cancer
  • Improved information to use to plan future care for bladder cancer

How is Cysview® used?

In the waiting area prior to cystoscopic surgery for bladder cancer, a catheter tube is placed into the bladder through the urethra and is used to place the Cysview® solution in the bladder. The solution is left in the bladder for about an hour prior to the surgery.

When surgery starts, a scope is used to inspect the bladder first with a regular white light. Next, the inspection is repeated with blue light to identify bladder cancer cells. Any abnormal areas are biopsied.

Is Cysview® right for me?

Cysview can be used in:

  • Patients with suspected first-time bladder cancer planning to have a biopsy
  • Patients who have not previously been evaluated with Cysview at the time of checkups for tumor recurrence
  • Patients with multiple non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
  • Patients with positive urinary cytology with no visible tumors with standard cystoscopy

Talk with your UNC urologist about using Cysview®

 

For more information, visit the Cysview Website.