What are the recommended follow-up protocols for patients diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer?

The recommended follow-up protocols for patients diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) vary depending on the risk classification of the cancer ¹.

• Low-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Patients should be offered cystoscopic follow-up at 3 months and 12 months after diagnosis ¹. Urinary biomarkers or cytology should not be used in addition to cystoscopy for follow-up in these cases ¹. Patients who have had low-risk NMIBC and no recurrence within 12 months can be discharged to primary care ¹. Routine urinary cytology or prolonged cystoscopic follow-up beyond 12 months is not recommended for these patients ¹.
• Intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Cystoscopic follow-up should be offered at 3, 9, and 18 months, and then once a year thereafter ¹. Discharge to primary care can be considered after 5 years of disease-free follow-up ¹.
• High-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Cystoscopic follow-up is recommended every 3 months for the first 2 years ¹. This is followed by every 6 months for the next 2 years, and then once a year thereafter ¹.

Regardless of risk category, people with a history of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who experience haematuria or other urinary symptoms should be referred urgently to urological services ¹.