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What diagnostic tests are used? Cystoscopy is the definitive test for diagnosing bladder cancer. Under local anesthesia or sedation, a telescope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra and the urologist can look around the bladder. Frequently a tumor will be seen in the bladder. The urologist may want to take a small piece of it, (biopsy), to examine under the microscope, More likely he will not biopsy at this time, but schedule the patient for a procedure to remove the tumor. Biopsy or microscopic examination of the abnormal tissues found in the bladder is the only way to make the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Specimens for biopsy may be obtained at time of cystoscopy, or at the removal of the tumor. Cytology is the examination of urine under the microscope to look for cancerous cells. While it is a helpful test, many false positive and false negative tests may occur, so a cytological examination can not always make or eliminate the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Upper Tract Studies such as IVP, (x-rays taken after a contrast medium is injected into a vein, that "lights up" the kidneys and ureters), or CT scan, or retrograde pyelograms done during cystoscopy, are adjunctive tests that help diagnose cancer in the ureters or kidneys, (upper tracts), but only show bladder cancer about 30% of the time. NMP22, BTA-Stat, FDP Newer, voided urine assays examines the urine for an abnormal proteins associated with bladder cancer. They have many false negatives and are much more useful for following patients in whom the diagnosis of bladder cancer has already been made rather than in making the initial diagnosis of bladder cancer rev:01/02 |
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[Home] Werner - Francis Urology Associates llc - Mid Atlantic Urology Associates llc Greenbelt - Bowie - Laurel Maryland (301) 441-8900 Fax (301) 982 0453 7500 Hanover Parkway Suite 206 Greenbelt, MD 20770
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