exams and tests

Like all cancers, bladder cancer is most likely to be successfully treated if detected early when it is small and has not invaded surrounding tissue. The following actions can increase the chances of finding a cancer of the bladder at the beginning:

If you have no risk factors, special attention to urinary symptoms or changes in your urinary habits. If you experience symptoms that last more than a few days, consult your doctor for evaluation.

If you have risk factors, talk to your doctor about screening tests, even if you have any symptoms. These tests are not performed to diagnose cancer, but for abnormalities suggestive of early cancer. If these tests to detect abnormalities that must be followed by other more specific tests for bladder cancer.

Screening tests: screening tests typically performed periodically, eg once a year or once every five years. The screening test most commonly used is a medical interview, physical examination, urinalysis, urine cytology and cystoscopy.

Healthcare: Your provider will ask many questions about your health (past and present), medication, work history, and habits and lifestyle. From there, he or she will develop an idea of ​​your risk of bladder cancer.

Physical exam: Your health care provider may insert a gloved finger into the vagina, rectum, or both, to feel any lumps that may indicate a tumor or other cause of bleeding.

Urinalysis: This test is actually a collection of tests for abnormalities in urine, such as blood, protein and sugar (glucose). Any abnormal result should be examined with more definitive tests.

Urine cytology: cells that form the inner wall of the bladder regularly stolen and suspended in the urine and is excreted by the body during urination. In this test, a urine sample is examined under a microscope for abnormal cells that may indicate cancer.

Cystoscopy: This is a type of endoscopy. A very narrow tube with a light and a camera on the end (cystoscope) is used to look inside the bladder to look for abnormalities such as tumors. The cystoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. The camera sends images to a video monitor, allowing direct visualization of the interior of the bladder wall.

These tests are also used to diagnose bladder cancer in people who have symptoms. The following test can occur if the bladder is suspected:

CT: This is similar to X-ray images, but shows much more detail. Gives a three dimensional view of the bladder, the rest of your urinary tract (especially kidney), and find the pelvic masses and other abnormalities.

Pyelogram: is a series of x-ray of your urinary system after you have taken a special dye is injected into a vein (intravenous pyelography [IVP]) or into your urethra (retrograde pyelogram). The dye highlights your urinary system organs and allows the recognition of certain anomalies easy. However, CT with three-dimensional reconstruction to replace pyelography in many centers in the United States.

Biopsy: small samples of your bladder wall is removed, usually during cystoscopy. The samples were examined by a doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases by looking at tissues and cells (pathologist). Small tumors are often completely removed during the biopsy process.

Urine tests: Urine may be performed to rule out other conditions, or to acquire more of the urinary abnormalities. For example, the culture of the urine can be done to eliminate the infection. The presence of certain substances and other signs may indicate cancer. Some of these tests can be useful in identifying recurrent cancer at a very early age.

If the tumor is located in the bladder, other tests may be conducted either at the time of diagnosis or later if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Ultrasound: This is the same technique used to examine the fetus in the uterus of a pregnant woman. In this painless test, a handheld computer to run across the skin's surface using sound waves to examine the contours of the bladder and other pelvic structures. This can show the entire tumor, and can show if it has spread to other organs.

Chest X-ray films: A single chest X-ray can sometimes show whether the bladder cancer has spread to the lungs.

CT scan: This technique is used to detect metastatic disease of the lungs, liver, abdomen or pelvis, and to assess whether the obstruction of the kidneys has occurred.

Bone scan: This test is to have a small amount of a radioactive substance is injected into the veins. A full body scan shows the areas where the cancer may have affected the bones.