Introdução: O seguimento de pacientes com câncer de bexiga superficial apresenta embargos financeiros e psicológicos ao paciente, devido à realização frequente de exames invasivos. Com fim de substituir ou diminuir os exames invasivos, busca-se biomarcadores urinários acurados, que permitam diagnosticar a recidiva tumoral e estratificar pacientes com maior risco de recidiva futura. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar se expressão na urina de PAI-1, DJ-1, ApoA-1, MMP-9 e IL-8 permite identificar e antecipar a recidiva de câncer de bexiga. Método: A expressão da PAI-1, DJ-1, ApoA-1, MMP-9 e IL-8 foi mensurada por ELISA na urina de 152 pacientes tratados previamente de carcinoma urotelial superficial de bexiga e em seguimento. Os níveis das proteínas foram comparados entre pacientes com e sem recidiva de câncer de bexiga (1) no momento da coleta de urina e (2) durante o seguimento. A ocorrência de recidiva tumoral foi confirmada por análise histopatológica da biópsia de lesões suspeitas, investigadas quando havia alterações na cistoscopia, ultrassom ou citologia oncótica. Pacientes com recidiva diagnosticada no momento da coleta de urina foram excluídos da análise para avaliar o papel antecipatório das cinco proteínas. Foi avaliado se o uso prévio de BCG intra-vesical exercia influência no nível das cinco proteínas estudadas. Resultados: Entre os pacientes avaliados, 16 (10,5%) apresentaram recidiva de carcinoma urotelial no momento da coleta de urina e 21 (15,4%) apresentaram recidiva de carcinoma urotelial durante o seguimento. O seguimento mediano foi de 47 meses (interquartis de 39 e 50 meses). Um painel para o diagnóstico de recidiva tumoral incluindo três biomarcadores (ApoA-1, MMP-9 e IL-8) apresentou razão de risco de 12,9 (IC 95% =3,5-47,4) e um painel para prever pacientes que desenvolverão recidiva durante o seguimento incluindo dois biomarcadores (PAI-1 e IL-8) apresentou razão de risco de 4,1 (IC 95% =1,4-11,4). Os resultados dos painéis não foram influenciados pelo uso prévio de BCG intra-vesical. Conclusão: Os painéis apresentados permitem identificar pacientes com recidiva de carcinoma urotelial de bexiga e prever quais pacientes terão maior risco de desenvolver recidiva no futuro. O uso prévio de BCG intra-vesical não alterou a expressão dos biomarcadores / Purpose: To evaluate if the urinary levels of PAI-1, DJ-1, ApoA-1, MMP-9 and IL-8 can identify and predict tumor recurrence in patients on follow-up of superficial bladder cancer. Methods: We prospectively analyzed the urine of 152 patients previously treated of superficial bladder cancer on follow-up regimen. Five biomarkers (PAI-1, DJ-1, ApoA-1, MMP-9 and IL-8) were assessed by ELISA and compared among patients with and without bladder cancer recurrence (1) in the moment of urine collection and (2) during follow-up. Tumor recurrence was evaluated with cystoscopy, ultrasound and urine oncotic cytology and confirmed by pathological analysis. Patients with recurrence at urine collection were excluded from prediction analysis. A correlation between the level of the biomarkers and previous use of intravesical BCG was investigated. Results: Median follow-up was 47 months (IQR =39-50 months). Among patients included, 16 (10,5%; N =152) and 21 (15,4%; N =136) had bladder cancer recurrence diagnosed in the moment of urine collection and during follow-up, respectively. The panel to diagnose recurrence including 3 biomarkers (ApoA-1, MMP-9 and IL-8) presented OR =12,9 (CI =3,5-47,4), while the panel to predict patients who will have a recurrence during follow-up including 2 biomarkers (PAI-1 and IL-8) presented OR =4,1 (CI =1,4- 11,4). Previous use of intra-vesical BCG didn\'t influence urine biomarkers expression. Conclusions: The 3-biomarker panel can be used to identify patients with bladder cancer recurrence. The 2-biomarker panel can be used to predict patients at greater risk of bladder cancer recurrence during follow-up. Both are reliable in patients with previous use of intravesical BCG

This thesis addresses the three principal questions concerning the development of CT urography for investigating haematuria and each question is the subject of a separate chapter. The questions are: What is the reasoning behind using CT urography? What is the optimum diagnostic strategy using CT urography? What are the problems with using CT urography and how may solutions be provided? Haematuria can signify serious disease such as urinary tract stones, renal cell cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) and bladder cancer (BCa). CT urography is defined as contrast enhanced CT examination of kidneys, ureters and bladder. The technique used here includes unenhanced, nephrographic and excretory-phases for optimized diagnosis of stones, renal masses and urothelial cancer respectively. The reasoning behind using excretory-phase CT urography for investigating haematuria is based on results showing its high diagnostic accuracy for UTUC and BCa. Patients with haematuria are classified as low risk or high risk for UTUC and BCa, by a risk score, determined by the presence/absence of risk factors: age > 50 years, visible or nonvisible haematuria, history of smoking and occupational exposure. The optimum diagnostic strategy for patients at high risk for urothelial cancer, uses CT urography as a replacement test for ultrasonography and intravenous urography and as a triage test for flexible and rigid cystoscopy, resulting in earlier diagnosis and potentially improving prognosis. For patients at low risk, ultrasonography, unenhanced and nephrographic-phase CT urography are proposed as initial imaging tests. Problems with using CT urography include false positive results for UTUC, which are eliminated by retrograde ureteropyelography-guided biopsy, an innovative technique, for histopathological confirmation of diagnosis. Recommendations for the NHS and possible future developments are discussed. CT urography, including excretory-phase imaging, is recommended as the initial diagnostic imaging test before cystoscopy for patients with haematuria at high risk for urothelial cancer.