Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy to stage bladder urothelial carcinoma

Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy to Stage Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder

Observational Mayo Clinic · NCT07029256

This will try whether an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy can accurately stage bladder urothelial carcinoma in people scheduled for radical cystectomy.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic Academic / other
Locations1 site (Rochester, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT07029256 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational feasibility study in which patients scheduled for radical cystectomy undergo an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of the bladder tumor prior to surgery. Biopsy specimens are processed and interpreted by pathology and compared with the final surgical pathology from the cystectomy to determine concordance in stage and sampling adequacy. The study will record procedure feasibility, diagnostic yield, and any immediate complications related to the biopsy. Conducted at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the protocol uses prior abdominal imaging to guide biopsy planning and targeting.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with confirmed or suspected urothelial carcinoma of the bladder who are scheduled for radical cystectomy and have prior abdominal imaging.

Not a fit: Patients with prior partial cystectomy, complex bladder reconstruction (including neobladder), tumors not accessible to ultrasound-guided biopsy, or those not undergoing cystectomy are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this technique could provide more accurate preoperative staging to better guide treatment planning and avoid under- or overtreatment.

How similar studies have performed: Image-guided percutaneous biopsies have been used in small series for genitourinary tumors, but application of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy specifically for bladder cancer staging is relatively novel with limited prior data.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Undergoing radical cystectomy for confirmed or suspected urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
* Prior abdominal imaging

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of partial cystectomy or complex bladder reconstruction or substitution (i.e. bladder augment or urothelial recurrence in a neobladder)

Where this trial is running

Rochester, Minnesota

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.