Purpose: Endoscopy done under fluorescence induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid has proved to be a procedure with high sensitivity for detecting transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. In this multicenter, parallel group, phase III study we compared 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence endoscopy guided transurethral bladder resection with transurethral bladder resection done using only white light endoscopy. The proportion of tumor-free resected cases in the 2 groups was evaluated.
Materials and methods: After patient stratification according to participating centers and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer risk score 65 and 64 were randomized to the 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence and white light endoscopy groups, respectively. Residual tumor was evaluated in the 2 groups by repeat transurethral resection 10 to 14 days later. Analysis was performed according to the intent to treat principle with all patients randomized, followed by per protocol analysis.
Results: Intent to treat analysis revealed that in the white light endoscopy group 40.6% of cases were resected tumor-free at primary resection, whereas with 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence endoscopy guided transurethral resection 61.5% were resected tumor-free (p <0014). On protocol analysis 46.9% patients in the white light and 67.3% in the 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence endoscopy groups were resected tumor-free (p <0.031). No difference was noted in the 2 groups in regard to side effects or laboratory findings.
Conclusions: The risk of residual tumor after transurethral resection of transitional cell carcinoma is significantly decreased by 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence endoscopy.