Evaluation of CT Scanning in Preoperative Staging and Postoperative Follow-up of Primary Bladder Cancer

Objective To evaluate CT in preoperative staging of primary bladder cancer and in postoperative follow-up. Materials and Methods Based on the CT findings of 39 patients, primary bladder cancers were classified into 4 types. CT signs were compared with pathologic results.Results The findings were as follows: pedunculated papillary carcinoma (n=5), pedunculated non-papillary carcinoma (n=6), broad-basal papillary carcinoma (n=5), broad-basal non-papillary carcinoma (n=13), involvement of the mucous membrane (n=5), the submucous layer (n=6), the superficial (n=6) and deep (n=5) muscular layer, the tunica serosa and fibrosa (n=3) or the adjacent structures (n=16). Recurrence was seen in 17 cases, ureteral dilatation in 8 and lymphatic metastases in 3.Conclusion On CT scan, mucous membrane invasion and submucous layer invasion have the similar appearance. Based on some indirect signs, superficial and deep muscular layer invasion can be diagnosed. When the tunica serosa or the tunica fibrosa is involved, its surface becomes spiculated or serrated. The orifice of ureter is most commonly involved. The invasion of the bladder wall can be displayed on thin-slice scans.