Bladder Cancer: Diagnosis

A person whose symptoms suggest bladder cancer may have one or more of the following procedures in order to diagnose the problem:

During a Physical Exam, a doctor may feel for tumors in the abdomen and pelvis. A physical exam may also include a vaginal and/or a rectal exam.

A Urine Test will allow the laboratory to check the urine for signs of disease such as blood and cancer cells, among other things.

During an Intravenous Pyelogram, the doctor injects a blood vessel with a dye. The dye will then collect in the urine and allow the bladder to show up on x-rays.

A Cystoscopy allows a doctor to look directly into the bladder using a thin, lighted tube (cytoscope). The lining of the bladder is examined by inserting the cytoscope into the bladder through the urethra. Anesthesia may be used for this procedure.

From the National Cancer Institute.