MedStar Washington Hospital Center now offers Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview®, a new, FDA-approved technology used to pinpoint bladder tumors in patients with known or suspected bladder cancer.
"Detecting bladder cancer in its earliest stage is sometimes difficult, and an inaccurate diagnosis can result in incomplete treatment, which translates into the potential for cancer progression and delays in treatment," said Lambros Stamatakis, MD, director of Urologic Oncology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. "Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview can provide a more accurate diagnosis of bladder tumors compared to the standard technique, which can overlook some tumors that are too small to see."
In Blue Light Cystoscopy, a patient is given a solution that is absorbed by the cancerous tissue. Using special equipment that emits "blue light," hard-to-see tumors will fluoresce and stand out against normal bladder tissue, making it easier for the doctor to identify and remove them. The new technology also allows physicians to more accurately counsel patients on the extent of their disease, which helps to determine the next step in treatment.
"The availability of Blue Light Cystoscopy is in keeping with our commitment to advancing patient care," added Dr. Stamatakis. "Patients with known or suspected bladder cancer can now undergo this specialized diagnostic procedure with the hope of better identifying their sites of disease and eliminating them."
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