New Blue Light Technology at Community Hospital in Munster Leads the Fight against Bladder Cancer

New Blue Light Technology at Community Hospital in Munster Leads the Fight against Bladder Cancer

Community Hospital is among the hospitals nationwide to lead the fight against bladder cancer and give patients peace of mind by introducing Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview® technology. The FDA-approved breakthrough procedure uses a blue light with a special imaging solution that highlights tumors and makes them more visible, detecting cancer earlier than traditional methods.

Physicians at Community Hospital perform a cystoscopy by using both white light and blue light. A traditional white light is used to examine the bladder and detect tumors. The physician then switches to blue light, which further highlights cancerous tumors and makes them more visible. This innovative blue light technology has proven to significantly increase detection over traditional white-light cystoscopy alone.

“Bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence,” says Urologist Bruce Yalowitz, MD. “If we are unable to visualize all of the tumors, this may result in incomplete treatment and a higher recurrence rate. The advanced technology of the Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview enables more accurate identification of bladder tumors compared to the standard technique.”

New-Blue-Light-Technology-at-Community-Hospital-in-Munster-Leads-the-Fight-against-Bladder-Cancer-02Bladder cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. Hematuria (or blood in the urine) is the most common presenting symptom of bladder cancer. This necessitates imaging of the kidneys (typically a CT scan or renal ultrasound) and cystoscopy to visualize the bladder and look for possible tumors. Between 50 to 80 percent of patients have recurring bladder cancer, making it the highest recurrence rate of any form of cancer.

“The availability Cysview and of Blue Light Cystoscopy is in keeping with our commitment to advancing patient care,” says Donald P. Fesko, CEO of Community Hospital. “Patients with known or suspected bladder cancer can now undergo diagnostic procedures performed by physicians specially trained in the use of this innovative technology and get answers sooner.”

For more information about advanced technology and procedures, or an urologist on staff at Community Hospital, visit comhs.org/community or call our free physician referral line at 219-836-3477 or 866-836-3477.