What the study found
Blue light-enhanced transurethral resection of bladder cancer, or TURBT, may lower the chance that non-muscle invasive bladder cancer comes back or progresses in some patients. The effect appears to depend on baseline risk, with little or no effect in low-risk groups and more benefit in intermediate- and high-risk groups.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that blue light TURBT may help reduce recurrence and progression over time in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, depending on risk level. They also note that the certainty of the evidence was mostly low, so future studies are likely to change the estimates.
What the researchers tested
The review assessed randomized controlled trials comparing blue light versus white light TURBT in adults with suspected or visible urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. It searched major medical databases and trial registers through March 2026 and focused on recurrence, progression, serious surgical complications, death from bladder cancer, and adverse events.
What worked and what didn't
Blue light TURBT may reduce recurrence in intermediate- and high-risk patients, but may have little to no effect in low-risk patients. It may reduce progression in high-risk patients, while having little to no effect in low- and intermediate-risk patients; it may have little or no effect on serious surgical complications, death from bladder cancer, adverse events of any grade, or non-serious surgical complications.
What to keep in mind
Most of the evidence was rated low certainty, and the authors say study limitations, inconsistency, and imprecision led to downgrading. The review included 17 randomized trials with 4,890 participants, and blue light was not studied in a surveillance setting.
Key points
- Blue light TURBT may reduce recurrence in intermediate- and high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
- Blue light TURBT may reduce progression in high-risk patients, but not clearly in low- or intermediate-risk patients.
- The review found little or no effect on serious surgical complications, bladder-cancer death, or adverse events overall.
- The evidence was mostly low certainty, so future studies may change these estimates.
- The review included 17 randomized controlled trials with 4,890 participants.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Blue light TURBT may reduce recurrence and progression
- Authors:
- Philipp Maisch, Mohammad Hamidi Madani, Alex Koziarz, Vikram M. Narayan, Myung Ha Kim, Philipp Dahm
- Institutions:
- Emory University, McMaster University, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Technical University of Munich, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TUM Klinikum, Universität Ulm, University Hospital Ulm, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Medical Center, University of Toronto, Yonsei University
- Publication date:
- 2026-06-11
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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