Hi Rosie,
I was referring to CIS/carcinoma in situ, different from papillaries and mostly found along with high grade papillary tumors. You've never had CIS or high grade tumors, so no, I don't think you need to worry.
Sometimes CIS is invisible and only random biopsies will find it. Random biopsies are invasive and the payload is not all that big either (high morbidity, not much benefit).
Hexvix, a new technique for detecting bladder cancer, is showing just how much CIS can be missed with normal, white light cystoscopies, see:
blcwebcafe.org/dxprocedures.asp
and their website:
www.photocure.com/PRODUCTS/Hexvix/
I quote: 'Approved in Europe, PhotoCure ASA's multicenter European phase III study reported that Hexvix® fluorescence cystoscopy identifies approximately 30% more patients with the aggressive form of superificial bladder cancer (carcinoma in situ) compared to standard cystoscopy. "
This approach is on the verge of getting FDA approval, is widely used in Europe. I hope it becomes standard all over ASAP as it can relieve a lot of guess work.
Take care,
Wendy