Why cystoscopy

To have the test your doctor puts a thin tube catheter into your bladder. They then put a fluorescent dye called hexyl aminolevulinate HAL through the tube. The dye stays in for an hour before your cystoscopy. Then your doctor puts the flexible cystoscope into your bladder. This has a camera and blue light. Any cancer cells absorb the dye and glow red or pink when the blue light is shone on them. This makes them easier to see. This is the most important test for diagnosing cancer of the bladder.

As well as examining the bladder your doctor can take samples of the bladder lining biopsies to check for cancer cells. A doctor or nurse will explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have. Before you have the test the nurse will ask you to empty your bladder have a wee. They may also ask you to give a urine sample to check for an infection.

You undress from the waist down and put a hospital gown on. You lie on your back on the bed or couch. The doctor places a sterile sheet over you. They clean the area and squeeze some anaesthetic jelly into the tube where your urine comes out urethra. This makes the area numb. In men, this means squeezing the jelly down the penis. This doesn't hurt but can feel uncomfortable. Once the local anaesthetic is working, the doctor gently passes the cystoscope into your bladder.

In men, they may ask you to try an pass urine so the cystoscope passes the muscle clamp sphincter in the urethra. Or they may ask you to cough. It helps the doctor pass the tube more easily, don't worry you won't actually pass urine. But you may feel some stinging when it passes this point. Once in the bladder, they fill it with sterile water. You may feel like you need to go to the toilet. Then the doctor moves the tube around so they can look at the inner surface of the whole of the inside of your bladder.

They may take some samples of your bladder tissue biopsies or they may remove small bladder growths. They'll take some measurements weight, temperature, heart and breathing rate, oxygen levels and your blood pressure.

You may have some blood tests and other tests such as a chest x-ray. This is routine for anyone having a general anaesthetic. At this appointment, they will give you instructions about the test and what to bring on the day. It's a good idea to bring an overnight bag. They'll also tell you when to stop eating and drinking. This is usually 6 hours before you have this test. They'll ask you about any regular medication you're on and what you can take on the day.

They'll also want you to bring them in on the day of the procedure. On the day of your test you'll see the doctor who will explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. This is a good time for you to ask any questions. You'll also meet your anaesthetist who will get you to sleep and look after you while you're asleep. Before the test, the nurse will ask you to empty your bladder. They may also ask you to give a urine sample to check for any infection. You usually have a small tube put into your vein cannula before you have the anaesthetic.

This is so they can give you medicines directly into your vein. Most hospitals also give you an injection of antibiotics before the test. Male cystoscopy Cystoscopy allows your doctor to view your lower urinary tract to look for abnormalities in your urethra and bladder. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Feldman AS, et al. Etiology and evaluation of hematuria in adults. Accessed Nov. Partin AW, et al. Principles of urologic endoscopy.

In: Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. Elsevier; Fok CS, et al. Diagnostic cystourethroscopy for gynecologic conditions. Mayo Clinic; Gleason JL.

Cystoscopy and other urogynecologic procedures. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Learn more about this top honor. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The scope is then inserted through the urethra into the bladder. Water or salt water saline flows through the tube to fill the bladder. As this occurs, you may be asked to describe the feeling. Your answer will give some information about your condition.

As fluid fills the bladder, it stretches the bladder wall. This lets your provider see the entire bladder wall. You will feel the need to urinate when the bladder is full. However, the bladder must stay full until the exam is finished. If any tissue looks abnormal, a small sample can be taken biopsy through the tube. This sample will be sent to a lab to be tested. The procedure may be done in a hospital or surgery center.

In that case, you will need to have someone take you home afterward. You may feel slight discomfort when the tube is passed through the urethra into the bladder.

You will feel an uncomfortable, strong need to urinate when your bladder is full. You may feel a quick pinch if a biopsy is taken. After the tube is removed, the urethra may be sore. You may have blood in the urine and a burning sensation during urination for a day or two.

The bladder wall should look smooth. The bladder should be of normal size, shape, and position. There should be no blockages, growths, or stones.