[Evaluation of usefulness of urinary nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) in the detection of urothelial transitional cell carcinoma].

We evaluated the usefulness of urinary nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) compared to urinary cytology in the detection of urothelial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Between July 1999 and March 2000, 227 patients complaining of microscopic or gross hematuria were analyzed. Twenty-four patients (10.6%) had urothelial TCC. The urinary NMP22 level was significantly higher in the patients with urinary TCC compared to the other patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the results obtained with urinary NMP22 were 58.3% and 84.2%, respectively, and those obtained by urinary cytology were 45.8% and 98.0%, respectively. False-positive results were obtained with urinary NMP22 in the patients with urinary diversion using intestine, bladder invasion from other cancers, urinary tract infection, and urolithiasis. The urinary NMP22 level was significantly associated with tumor stage, suggesting its usefulness for detection of urothelial TCC. However, although urinary NMP22 showed equal sensitivity for the detection of TCC, it was not superior to urinary cytology.