When you choose the Abramson Cancer Center for your bladder cancer care, you can expect fast answers — and a team of experienced experts on your side. Our bladder cancer specialists use the latest, most accurate diagnostic tools and innovative treatments to personalize your care.
How Is Bladder Cancer Diagnosed?
We use the most advanced diagnostic tools and procedures to detect bladder cancer. If we suspect bladder cancer, you first undergo a physical exam. Then, your APP or doctor may order blood tests and other diagnostic tests. If we find bladder cancer, we may order more tests to determine the bladder cancer stage.
Bladder Cancer Diagnosis: Why Choose the Abramson Cancer Center?
Bladder cancer symptoms can easily be confused with the symptoms of other conditions. Because our urologic oncologists specialize in bladder cancer, they know exactly what to look for and what tools to use for accurate, timely diagnoses.
You also benefit from:
- Team approach: Experts within our bladder cancer program include urologists, cancer surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, and advanced practice providers (APPs). They regularly meet to discuss symptoms, lab results and other key aspects of a diagnosis. Because they work together, you have fewer appointments to manage and a team of world-class experts weighing in on your care.
- Bladder cancer pathologists: Lab tests inform and guide more than 70 percent of medical decisions. Pathologists are the doctors who oversee and analyze these and other tests, including biopsies. Our pathologists specialize in genitourinary (GU) and urological cancers, including bladder cancer. Their expertise helps us deliver more precise, detailed diagnoses — which makes treatment plans more effective.
- Radiologists with bladder cancer expertise: Radiologists are doctors who specialize in medical imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs. These tools help detect bladder cancer. Our radiologists are GU and bladder cancer specialists. Since they spend 100 percent of their energy looking at these cancers, they see important details that others may miss.
- Expert advanced practice providers: Our highly trained APPs are GU cancer researchers, educators and leaders. If you have concerning symptoms, such as blood in your urine, they are a critical first step towards a detailed and accurate diagnosis. They plan for and perform the tests and imaging you need to get a personalized treatment plan quickly.
- Dedicated nurse navigator: From your first contact with our program, our nurse navigators make things convenient and easy. If you are facing a bladder cancer diagnosis, our GU cancer nurse navigator coordinates your appointments with the right providers and helps you understand what to expect and how to prepare. Our nurse navigators can also get you needed care closer to home. Meet the oncology nurse navigators.
Tests and Tools Used to Diagnose Bladder Cancer
Tests that help diagnose bladder cancer include:
Urinalysis and urine cytology
A urinalysis checks the color of urine and its contents, such as:
- Sugar
- Protein
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
Urine cytology looks at urine under a microscope to check for abnormal cells.
Imaging
Imaging tests may include:
- CT Scan (CAT scan): A CT scan produces a series of detailed pictures taken from different angles inside the body. We may also inject a special dye into a vein or have you swallow it to make the organs or tissues more visible.
- Intravenous pyelogram: You undergo a series of X-rays of the kidneys, ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) and bladder to find cancer. Before the procedure, we inject a special dye into your vein. As it moves through your organs, we take X-rays to see if there are any tumors.
- MRI: This type of imaging uses powerful magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures inside your body.
Cystoscopy Procedure
During a cystoscopy procedure, we check the bladder and urethra (tube that empties the urine from the bladder) for abnormal areas. Your provider inserts a cystoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and lens for viewing) into the bladder. The cystoscope may also have a tool to remove tissue samples that we check for cancer (biopsy).
At the Abramson Cancer Center, we also offer blue light cystoscopy (fluorescence cystoscopy). This breakthrough FDA-approved procedure uses ultraviolet (UV) light to make cancer cells easier to see during surgery.
Blue light cystoscopy can lead to earlier diagnosis and more complete treatment. Read more about blue light cystoscopy.
TURBT
TURBT stands for transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Doctors also call it transurethral resection (TUR). Doctors use this type of bladder cancer surgery to both diagnose and treat the disease.
During TURBT, your provider removes the bladder tumor. Our dedicated GU cancer pathologists then view the sample under a microscope to check for cancer. If they find bladder cancer, they also look for other details important for treatment planning, including whether the cancer has spread.
Get a Second Opinion
If you’ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer and want a second opinion, we can help. Call 215-360-0583 to connect with an oncology nurse navigator.
We will need:
- Imaging relevant to your diagnosis
- Pathology reports for your diagnosis
- Any operative notes from your doctors
Our urologic cancer specialists review your medical information, current diagnosis and materials. They then give you a thorough treatment recommendation so you can make informed decisions about your care.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.