Which tests should be done for bladder cancer

Cystoscopy is the most important and indispensable method for diagnosing bladder cancer. All patients suspected of bladder cancer should undergo cystoscopy and, if necessary, cystoscopic biopsy. During cystoscopy, attention should be paid to observing the size, location, number, shape, base and surrounding conditions of the tumor. During cystoscopy, attention should be paid to the presence of bladder diverticula, as sometimes the tumor is located in the diverticula. It should also be noted that carcinoma in situ may exist in the bladder mucosa that is normal to the naked eye.

1. Ultrasound examination: Before cystoscopy, transabdominal ultrasound examination is performed to obtain a preliminary understanding of the condition of the urinary system. This is used as the initial screening for bladder cancer. Transurethral ultrasound scanning during cystoscopy can clearly show the tumor and bladder wall infiltration.

2. Intravenous pyelography: Since transitional cell carcinoma is easy to implant and has multi-center disease, bladder cancer patients should know whether there are any abnormalities in the upper urinary tract. Therefore, IVP can not only understand the bilateral renal function, but also detect concurrent tumors in the upper urinary tract.

3. Cystography: When the tumor is large, it can show the filling and emptying caused by the tumor and understand the capacity of the bladder. It is helpful for diagnosis and treatment planning when the tumor is large and the cystoscope cannot see the whole picture. However, when the tumor is small, cystography often cannot show clearly.

4. CT examination: CT examination is used for the diagnosis and staging of bladder cancer, to understand the depth of tumor infiltration into the bladder wall, and whether there is metastasis to the pelvic and retroperitoneal lymph nodes, liver and adrenal glands.

5. Magnetic resonance imaging is not superior to CT, but it has certain advantages in showing the depth of tumor infiltration into the bladder wall, the relationship between pelvic organs and tumors, and upper urinary tract hydrops caused by bladder cancer.

6. Lymph node imaging: Bladder cancer is prone to lymph node metastasis, which can block lymphatic vessels and cause lower limb lymphedema in severe cases. Lymph node imaging can detect metastatic lymph nodes. To further identify lymph node enlargement caused by inflammation, lymph node biopsy is performed if necessary.

Bladder arteriography: It can show that you are well; in this case, a cystoscopic biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.