Tests for bladder cancer

Tests your GP might do

Most people start by seeing their GP if they have symptoms. Your GP can do some tests to help them decide whether you need a referral to a specialist. They might:

• test your pee (urine)

• examine the inside of your back passage or ​vagina​ to see if everything feels normal

• arrange some blood tests

Urine test for bladder cancer

Your GP can do a quick test to see if there is any blood in your urine. They dip a testing stick into a fresh sample of your urine. They might send a sample of your urine to the laboratory. This is to check for other causes of your symptoms, such as an ​infection.

Internal examination

Your GP may want to examine you internally. 

They put a gloved finger into your back passage (rectum) or vagina. This is to see if everything feels normal.

Blood tests

Your GP may arrange for some blood tests to check for any changes in:

• how well your kidneys are working

• how your blood is clotting (clotting factors)

• blood cell counts, such as a low red blood cell count (anaemia)

Tests your specialist might do

Depending on the results of your tests, your GP might refer you to a specialist. You usually see a urologist. This is a doctor who specialises in treating problems of the urinary tract such as the ​prostate, bladder and kidneys.

Your specialist usually does more tests. These include:

• ultrasound scan of your tummy (abdomen)

• cystoscopy - to look inside your bladder

• CT urogram - to check your kidneys, bladder and ureters

• blood tests

• MRI scan

• CT scan

• chest x-ray

• bone scan

Ultrasound scan for bladder cancer

Ultrasound scans use high frequency sound waves to create a picture of a part of the body. You might have an ultrasound scan of your abdomen. The scan looks at your ​urinary system, which includes the:

• bladder

• kidneys

• ureters

• urethra

The ultrasound scan can show if there are any signs of cancer in your bladder. It can also show any blockages in the tubes that move urine between your kidneys and bladder (ureters).

Find out more about having an ultrasound scan

Cystoscopy for bladder cancer

Cystoscopy is a test to look at the inside of your bladder and check for signs of cancer.  Your doctor can take ​biopsies​ of the bladder lining to check for cancer ​cells. 

There are different types of cystoscopies including:

• flexible cystoscopy

• rigid cystoscopy

• narrow band imaging

• blue light cystoscopy or photodynamic diagnosis (PDD)

Your doctor will discuss with you what type of cystoscopy you're having.

You can have a cystoscopy when you are awake with a ​local anaesthetic. Or under a ​general anaesthetic​, which means you are asleep. 

Read more about having a cystoscopy

CT urogram

This is a test to look at your kidneys, bladder and ureters. It uses a CT scan and special dye (​contrast medium) to look at your:

• kidneys

• bladder

• tubes that connect the kidneys to your bladder (ureters)

A CT scan uses x-rays to take detailed pictures of your body from different angles. A computer then puts them together to make a 3 dimensional (3D) image. CT stands for computed (axial) tomography.

You might have a CT urogram to check for the cause of your symptoms. For example, to find out where the blood in your urine is coming from. This test also shows where the cancer is and how big it is.

Find out more about having a CT urogram

Blood tests

You may have blood tests. These can check your general health, including how well your liver and kidneys are working. And to check for numbers of blood cells.

Find out more about blood tests

MRI scan

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It uses magnetism and radio waves to take pictures of the inside of the body.

If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you might have an MRI scan to see if the cancer has:

• grown into the deeper muscle layer of the bladder

• spread to other parts of your body 

Find out more about having an MRI scan

CT scan

CT (or CAT) scan stands for computed (axial) tomography. It is a test that uses x-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body.

If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you might have a CT scan of your ​pelvis​, abdomen and chest. It can tell your doctor where the cancer is, how big it is and if the cancer has spread.

Read more about having a CT scan

Chest x-ray

A chest x-ray is a test to see if the bladder cancer has spread to the ​lungs.

X-rays use high energy rays to take pictures of the inside of your body. They can show up changes in the lungs. Changes can be due to cancer but can also be caused by other lung conditions.

Read more about having a chest x-ray

Bone scan

A bone scan shows up changes or abnormalities in the bones. You might have a bone scan if you have symptoms and your doctor wants to check if the bladder cancer has spread.

Find out more about how you have a bone scan

Treatment

The tests you have help your doctor find out if you have bladder cancer and how far it has grown. This is called the stage of the cancer.

Read about the stages of bladder cancer

Coping with bladder cancer

Coping with a diagnosis of bladder cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available to help you and your family.

Find out more about living with bladder cancer