Clinical indications for urine cytology

Effective immediately, the following changes are being made to promote appropriate use of lab resources:

• Urine cytopathology (cytology) is indicated to diagnose high-grade urothelial carcinoma and should only be ordered when there is a suspicion of bladder cancer. Even when appropriately ordered, a negative result on urine cytology does not rule out cancer.
• Urine cytology requests must be accompanied by one of the following indications in the clinical history:
  • Gross hematuria
  • Persistent microscopic hematuria
  • Bladder tumour

Urine cytology follow-up should be completed as recommended by urologist for bladder cancer surveillance. Community requests with any other history or with no history will be rejected.

Please note that urine cytology is not required prior to urology referral. Please reference page 4 of the provincial urology referral pathway.

Read the lab bulletin