Suspected bladder cancer

Hi again LiRoss and a warm welcome. The early days of uncertainty and not knowing can be very stressful. Many of us know how you feel. A flexible cystoscopy is a fairly straightforward procedure. Usually painless but maybe a bit uncomfortable. Stings a bit when peeing for a few days later, but otherwise no nasty after effects. Takes ten minutes. You will be able to see on screen what is going on in your bladder and all will be described by the doc. If anything abnormal is identified then the a further procedure (TURBT)  will scrape things away and take some biopsies. Lots of waiting between steps. Try not to look forward too much as it is a step at a time procedure. Lots of experience here so feel free to ask anything. Best wishes.

Thank you Rily, it’s the waiting that scares me unfortunately 

Will they take a biopsy in the first cystoscopy? Xx

Hi LiRoss. The first cystoscopy is usually just a visual inspection. Biopsies are usually taken at the TURBT stage (trans urethral resection of bladder tumour). Sounds worse than it is. Best wishes.

Thank you Rily, it’s the not knowing that’s driving me nuts  

Thanks Rily,

well I finally had the cystoscopy (1st time I had an infection and was hospitalised for three days) and I’ve got a large necrotic mass on the left bladder wall towards the bottom of the bladder and a possible tumour on my urethra opening (which is the painful bit that made me seek help in the beginning due to spasms etc). I’m wondering if anyone has had this at all? Obviously I couldn’t help asking de google (big mistake) and now I’m panicking. They’ve given me the contact details for cancer nurses and getting me in for a TURBT + EAU + meteal biopsy