Application of fluorescence in situ hybridization for the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of upper urinary tract versus lower urinary tract

Objective To compare the efficacy of the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of upper urinary tract versus lower urinary tract. Methods 155 patients suspected UC were divided into two groups: upper urinary tract group (56 cases, 49 of them confirmed with upper urinary tract UC) and lower urinary tract group (99 cases, 75 of them confirmed with UC of lower urinary tract). Both groups underwent FISH test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were compared between two groups. Results Sensitivities of FISH in diagnosing UC of upper and lower urinary tract were 87.8% and 72.0% (P 0.05), positive predictive values of FISH test were 97.7% and 88.5% (P>0.05), and negative predictive values were 50.0% and 44.7% (P>0.05), respectively. Conclusion FISH has higher sensitivity and positive predictive value in detecting upper urinary tract UC than lower urinary tract UC, which is associated with more advanced stage and higher grade of upper urinary tract UC in this study group. Key words: Fluorescence in situ hybridization; Urothelial carcinoma