Diagnosing Bladder Cancer

There are several medical tests used to diagnose bladder cancer. Once a patient experiences common symptoms of bladder cancer, one or more tests are ordered to confirm or rule out cancer.

Tests Commonly Used To Diagnose Bladder Cancer

Urine Culture

A Urine culture is usually ordered first to rule out infection. A sample of urine is taken, either by the patient giving a sample, or by catheter. The sample is then sent to a pathology lab.

Urine Cytology

This test looks for cancer cells in urine. A sample of urine is given, and then sent to a lab for further examination.

Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor inserts a lighted tube that has a tiny camera attached into the bladder through the urethra. The tool used in this procedure is called a cystoscope. The image from the cystoscope is projected on a monitor, allowing the doctor to see the bladder thoroughly. A cystoscopy is done under local anesthesia.

Biopsy

If anything abnormal is found during a cystoscopy, a biopsy is done. During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed for further examination.

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests allow a physician to visualize organs either on a monitor or on films. These tests can include: a CT scan, bone scan, x-rays, MRI, and ultrasounds.