CLINICAL USEFULNESS OF THE NOVEL MARKER BLCA-4 FOR THE DETECTION OF BLADDER CANCER

Abstract

Elevated urinary BLCA-4 levels may accurately identify bladder cancer and distinguish these patients from normal individuals. There is no correlation of urinary BLCA-4 with a history of urinary tract infection, smoking, catheterization or cystitis considered independently. Urinary BLCA-4 determination appears to have high potential as a test for screening and monitoring bladder cancer in the general population and in groups at high risk for the disease, such as those with spinal cord injury.