Bladder cancer is a disease that affects mostly older adults, according to the Mayo Clinic, and has a high rate of recurrence. Symptoms include frequent, painful urination, recurring urinary tract infections and blood in the urine. Cancerous cells invade the inner lining of the bladder and may spread to the bladder wall and surrounding tissues. Cell samples and imaging technology allow medical care providers to diagnose bladder cancer early.
Step 1
Take urine samples so that the cells can be studied for abnormalities that may indicate bladder cancer. Cancer Research UK, an informational service operated by CancerHelp UK, explains that nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) that are found in the urine may indicate bladder cancer. Testing to detect proteins of this kind requires only a few drops of blood.
Step 2
Perform a procedure called cytoscopy, in which a thin tube is inserted into the urethra to see inside the bladder. Cytoscopy is performed on an outpatient basis under a local anesthetic.
Step 3
Take biopsies of the tissue lining the bladder if cytoscopy reveals any abnormalities that need to be examined more closely. Biopsies may be taken during a cytoscopy under general anesthetic or as a separate procedure.
Step 4
Use imaging tools to diagnose bladder cancer and determine its stage. CT scans of the bladder and MRIs of the pelvic region can show if the cancer has spread to other nearby organs or if the disease is localized within the bladder.
Things You'll Need
- Urine samples
