Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

IPG656/1

Question

The evidence on the safety of transurethral laser ablation for recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer shows that there are no major safety concerns. However, current evidence on its efficacy is limited in quality and quantity. Therefore, this procedure should only be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent, and audit or research.

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Clinicians wishing to do transurethral laser ablation for recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer should:

• Inform the clinical governance leads in their NHS trusts.

• Ensure that patients and their carers understand the uncertainty about the procedure's safety and efficacy, and provide them with clear written information to support shared decision making. In addition, the use of NICE's information for the public is recommended.

• Audit and review clinical outcomes of all patients having transurethral laser ablation for recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. NICE has identified relevant audit criteria and has developed an audit tool (which is for use at local discretion).

Patient selection should be done by a specialist bladder cancer multidisciplinary team.

NICE encourages further research and prospective data collection into transurethral laser ablation for recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Studies should investigate patient selection, types of laser used, tumour recurrence and long-term follow up.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Transurethral laser ablation for recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Number

IPG656

Date issued

July 2019

Other details