If a doctor suspects that something may be wrong with the bladder, one of the first tests done will be a urine culture and urinalysis. Your doctor will want to see if an infection is the underlying cause of symptoms. A urine culture looks for the presence of bacteria in the urine, while urinalysis checks for the presence of blood. Note: If you are being treated for a urinary tract infection or cystitis and are not feeling better after taking all of your medication, it is important that you let your doctor know.
Your doctor may also want to check your urine for the presence of tumor markers, proteins that are increased in the urine of people with bladder cancer.
Another test used is diagnosing bladder cancer is urine cytology. In this test, a sample of your urine is screened for abnormal cells. These cells are then looked at under the microscope to screen for cancer. While it may sound like a non-invasive way to easily diagnose bladder cancer, it isn't. The test is known for false-negatives and false positives.
If bladder cancer is suspected, then the doctor will want to get a better look at your bladder. This can be achieved through a cystoscopy, a procedure where the doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube equipped with a microscopic camera into the urethra to the bladder. The camera projects live feed to a monitor allowing the doctor to see see inside the bladder. If any suspicious areas are found, a biopsy can be done during a cystoscopy. A biopsy is the removal of small amount of bladder tissue to be examined further for the presence of cancer. It is the only way to confirm if cancer is present.
source : cancer.about.com
Your doctor may also want to check your urine for the presence of tumor markers, proteins that are increased in the urine of people with bladder cancer.
Another test used is diagnosing bladder cancer is urine cytology. In this test, a sample of your urine is screened for abnormal cells. These cells are then looked at under the microscope to screen for cancer. While it may sound like a non-invasive way to easily diagnose bladder cancer, it isn't. The test is known for false-negatives and false positives.
If bladder cancer is suspected, then the doctor will want to get a better look at your bladder. This can be achieved through a cystoscopy, a procedure where the doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube equipped with a microscopic camera into the urethra to the bladder. The camera projects live feed to a monitor allowing the doctor to see see inside the bladder. If any suspicious areas are found, a biopsy can be done during a cystoscopy. A biopsy is the removal of small amount of bladder tissue to be examined further for the presence of cancer. It is the only way to confirm if cancer is present.
source : cancer.about.com
