Olympus has received 510(k) clearance for Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), a new technique that improves visualization of tumor boundaries in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients when compared to images produced by white light, enabling more effective targeting of biopsies.
The technique enhances visibility of vascular structures on the mucosal surface. Unlike white light, which uses all colors in the spectrum, NBI uses blue and green light, which are absorbed more strongly by the blood, allowing better highlighting of capillaries and deeper veins. Aggregated FDA-reviewed studies found that NBI increased visualization of NMIBC lesions 17% when compared with white light and detected 24% additional tumors and 28% additional carcinoma in situ.
“The detection of occult lesions in patients with de novo and recurrent bladder cancer results in markedly improved outcomes,” said Daniel Canter, MD, vice chairman of the Urologic Institute of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Department of Urology of the Einstein Healthcare Network. “An improved view into the underlying vascularity of the lining of the bladder means an improved ability to detect and treat not just the visible, obvious tumors but also the lesions that may have been missed with traditional white light cystoscopy only. This is something most urologists have known and would agree with, but it is now backed by the FDA, which should translate into improved patient care.”
In addition, NBI can be used in the office or clinic setting in addition to the operating room, and does not require the patient to take drugs or maintain a full bladder, as do some other treatments. By enabling earlier detection, NBI can reduce the costs of treating bladder cancer, which has the highest lifetime treatment costs per patient of any cancer. Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States.
For more information, visit Olympus.
