Cystoscopy On Tuesday and a bit confused

Hi 50Something and welcome to the group although sorry to hear you feel as though you may have bladder cancer. As you know blood in urine is a symptom but can be caused by other things. BC can not always be picked up on ultrasound. A cystoscopy is the most reliable way to find out. It is a fairly painless procedure although slightly uncomfortable going in. You will then be able to see for yourself on screen and anything untoward will be pointed out to you. Although they cannot confirm if cancer or not, the doc may give you some idea. You would then need to go for some biopsies. Just be aware that bc can be treated successfully. Feel free to ask any questions. Best wishes.

Good afternoon 50Something and welcome . It’s all a bit of a mystery isn’t it , apart from a bit of bleeding I had no other symptoms and if I’d not had a cystoscopy I wouldn’t have known anything and even after a couple of years I have no outward sign of what’s gone on . I’ve had TURBT and a lengthy course of BCG . I start mitomycin on Monday.. best wishes J.

Good luck John xx hope all goes well for you

Hi

I was diagnosed in April after 5 months of various tests coming back clear but still showing blood in my urine. I had a cystoscopy and you could clearly see I had a tumour. The doctor told me it was definitely cancer. I had it removed 3 weeks later luckily it had not broken through into the muscle. I am now having bcg treatment weekly but have been told I am clear of cancer. It’s very frightening but please keep in your mind bladder cancer is very treatable and curable. The cystoscopy is painless and very quick. 

Thank you for your reply. It was the doctor who worried me when she said she had put through an urgent referral but I'm not saying you have cancer. I'm generally very level headed as long as I know what is going on but it has been a long week only a few more days to wait.

Good evening J thank you for your reply. I hope all goes well on Monday and continues to do so. I'm not sure what TURBT or BCG mean as of yet and as we all do I'm hoping mine isn't what I'm suspecting it is. I will keep you updated. Take care

Good evening Mjh09

I'm so glad you are now cancer free what a huge relief. Well It looks to me like the cystoscopy is definitely the best way to check and glad I haven't had to wait to long for it. I just assumed as the ultrasound and xray were clear I was all good. I'm pleased to hear you didn't have to wait to long to start treatment even though I'm sure it felt like an age for you. This is the worse time for me as I have no patience I want to know everything now. I've lost 1.7stone in 12 weeks but I have been on a diet and now at my goal weight but this last week I have been eating everything and anything just to try and prove to myself that I'm not ill. Crazy I know its how my mind works.

Take care

Hi 50Something . A TURBT is trans urethral resection of bladder cancer, done under general anaesthetic.  Sounds worse than it is Usually done in day surgery. They scrape away the offending cells and take biopsies. The biopsies confirm if cancer or not and determine the next step. There will be a few weeks wait for results. BCG ( Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) is an immunotherapy treatment. Used in certain cases to mop up any rogue cells and help prevent recurrences. Best wishes.

I hadn’t seen Riley’s comment and rather jumped in without testing the water, he’s much more knowledgeable than me. Disregard the abbreviations, they won’t mean a thing, I think it’s known as forum speak, a language you pick up over time .

Hi 50Something,Welcome to this friendly supportive group.I had a rarer type of cancer which caused an obstruction so I either had severe frequency or difficulty in passing urine.I didn’t have much visible blood.It is good that your dr has fast tracked you because blood should always be checked out.There other causes other than cancer but the cystoscopy will show if there is anything of concern.Best wishes for the cystoscopy,it’s a very quick procedure.Just drink plenty of fluids afterwards to help flush the bladder.The waiting is never easy.Let us know how you get on.Jane