Long-term benefit of 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence assisted transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer: 5-year results of a prospective randomized study.

Purpose: As shown in various studies 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induces fluorescence of malignant and dysplastic bladder tissue and increases tumor detection rates by about 20%. However, data on the long-term benefits are sparse. Thus, the 5-year outcome data of a prospective randomized trial comparing patients who initially underwent bladder tumor resection (TUR) under standard white light or with ALA induced fluorescence were evaluated.