Bladder Cancer

Diagnosis

Biopsy :  
Biopsy is the removal of tissue to look for cancer cell. It is the only sure way to tell whether cancer is present. Tiny samples of the bladder wall are removed, usually during cystoscopy. The samples are examined under a microscope. Small tumors are sometimes completely removed during the biopsy process.

If bladder cancer is identified, certain other tests may be performed to find whether it has invaded the bladder wall or spread to other parts of the body. It is called staging and the tests may include CT scan, ultrasound scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sonogram, bone scan or chest x-ray.

Ultrasound Scan :
This scan can show the size  and how far the tumor has spread to other organs. In this painless test, a handheld device run over the surface of the skin uses sound waves to examine the contours of the bladder and other structures in the pelvis.

Chest x-ray film : 
A simple x-ray film of the chest is taken to check whether the bladder cancer has spread to the lungs. 

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) : 
Instead of X-rays, MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create the image of urinary tract.

Bone scan : 
This imaging test is used to determine whether cancer has spread to your bones. In this method a tiny amount of a radioactive substance is injected into the veins. A special scanner then takes pictures of all your bones.