Fluorescent cystoscopy-assisted en bloc transurethral resection versus conventional transurethral resection in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: study protocol of a prospective, open-label, randomized control trial (the FLEBER study)

BACKGROUND: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is an essential procedure both for the treatment and staging of bladder cancer, particularly non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The dissemination of cancer cells during resection and the consequent seeding into the bladder mucosa is the main cause of post-TURBT intravesical recurrence. Although the tumor dissemination is inevitable during conventional TURBT (cTURBT), this drawback can be overcome by tumor resection in one piece with intact surrounding normal tissues, referred to as en bloc resection. We previously described the photodynamic diagnosis (PDD)-assisted en bloc TURBT (EBTUR) technique and its favorable outcomes. Based on our preliminary studies, this randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the superiority of PDD-EBTUR to PDD-cTURBT. METHODS: The FLEBER study is a single-center randomized controlled trial in NMIBC patients who require TURBT. The longest diameter of the tumor must be between 6 and 30 mm. A total of 160 eligible patients will be enrolled after screening and randomly allocated to the PDD-EBTUR (experimental) and PDD-cTURBT (control) groups in a 1:1 ratio (80 cases to 80 cases). All patients will be treated using a single, immediate postoperative intravesical chemotherapy with epirubicin. The primary endpoint of this trial is the 2-year recurrence-free survival after surgery in pathologically proven low- or intermediate-risk NMIBC. All patients will be monitored by cystoscopy and urine cytology every 3 months for 2 years. Patient data including adverse events and complications, and data from frequency volume charts, pain scales, and health-related QOL questionnaires will be collected before and after the TURBT at indicated visits. DISCUSSION: The goal of this trial is to determine the potential benefits of PDD-cTURBT and PDD-EBTUR followed by a single immediate postoperative intravesical chemotherapy in patients with low- or intermediate-risk NMIBC who undergo TURBT. Ultimately, our findings will lead to the development of better interventions and potentially change the standard of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This clinical trial was prospectively registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry on 1 August 2020. The reference number is UMIN000041273, and the Ethics Committee of Nara Medical University Approval ID is 2702. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05094-y.