Multimodal Approach to Imaging and Staging of Bladder Cancer: Diagnostic Standards and Future Trends

The most significant factors influencing the effectiveness of bladder cancer treatment include a tumor subtype, degree of cellular anaplasia, assessment of the invasion depth into the bladder wall, identification of carcinoma in situ , extent of renal function impairment, quality of diagnostic procedures, accurate interpretation of the obtained data, continuity of care among specialists, and the patient’s motivation for treatment. The advent of ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging, 640-slice computed tomography, development of new radiopharmaceuticals, and advancements in software technology shape a multimodal approach aimed at identifying optimal diagnostic methods for bladder cancer. The present paper reviews a potential of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for determining the degree of neoplastic invasion into the layers of the bladder wall, a value of computed tomography with intravenous contrast enhancement in diagnosing locally advanced forms of the disease, and capabilities of positron emission tomography as a promising method for non-invasive characterization of tumor physiology with sensitivity in the picomolar range. The paper discusses advantages and disadvantages of the imaging modalities used in the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma. In addition, the study explores the perfusion computed tomography as an alternative imaging technology for evaluating the layers of the bladder wall to be utilized in cases of absolute contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging.