Value of urinary cytology in women presenting with urge incontinence and/or irritative voiding symptoms

Purpose: A retrospective study was done to determine whether voided urinary cytology was necessary in women with irritative voiding symptoms without hematuria. Materials and Methods: A total of 202 cytology studies was obtained from 128 women presenting with urge incontinence and/or irritative voiding symptoms between 1990 and 1995. Results: Five patients with irritative symptoms and hematuria were diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma. Cytology was positive in 3 patients, atypical in 1 and normal in 1. No positive cytology studies or carcinomas were noted in patients without hematuria. Urinary tract carcinoma was confirmed by cystoscopy and biopsy if necessary. Conclusions: The benefits of cytology for patients without hematuria are questioned in the cost-effective treatment of female patients with irritative bladder symptoms.