Bladder Biopsy
A bladder biopsy is an in-office diagnostic procedure where our urologist will remove a small sample of bladder tissue This is an exceptionally efficient method to diagnose bladder cancer, cystitis, interstitial cystitis, and other conditions. The tissue samples that are collected from the bladder biopsy are sent off to a laboratory in which the facility will examine for cell abnormalities under a microscope. If cancer is present, it is assessed and evaluated to define the pace at which it is likely to advance in order to determine your best treatment options. Our urology clinic specializes in performing bladder biopsies, ensuring the comfort, safety, and well-being of our patients throughout the procedure.
Bladder Biopsy
A normal bladder has a normal size, shape, and position. There are no blockages, growths, or stones, along with a smooth, non-rigid bladder wall. If there are any suspicious abnormalities, a bladder biopsy will be conducted with your consent.
The urologist will advise a bladder biopsy if they suspect your symptoms might be caused by bladder cancer. Some of the symptoms may include:
lower back pain
frequent urination
blood in the urine
painful urination
Although these are signs of cancer, there can be various reasons for the symptoms mentioned above, such as an infection, bladder diverticula, cysts, inflammation, and ulcers. A biopsy is only done if our urologist strongly suspects cancer or if the other performed tests show otherwise.
FAQs
How the Test is Performed
You will be asked to sign an informed consent form before you have the procedure. You are not required to fast for this procedure, hence, you can drink and eat like you normally would prior to the appointment. However, in most cases, you will be asked to urinate just before the procedure so make sure to drink water prior to your appointment.
Is the bladder biopsy painful?
A bladder biopsy can be done as part of a cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is a procedure that is done to visualize the inside of the bladder using a narrow tube called a cystoscope. For the biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed and sent to a lab to be evaluated if there are any abnormalities in the bladder.
How to Prepare for this Test
You will be asked to sign an informed consent form before you have the procedure. You are not required to fast for this procedure, hence, you can drink and eat like you normally would prior to the appointment. However, in most cases, you will be asked to urinate just before the procedure so make sure to drink water prior to your appointment.
How long to receive the results?
Typically, biopsy results are processed and made available within a few days to a week; however, the turnaround time can vary depending on the laboratory’s workload, complexity of the analysis, and other logistical factors. It is imperative to understand that receiving results might take time, as a meticulous examination is crucial to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Above is pictured of a bladder biopsy removing small tissues of the bladder.
Risks of this Test
Risks include but are not limited to a urinary tract infection, excessive bleeding, and rupture of the bladder wall with the cystoscopy or during the biopsy. There is also a risk that the biopsy will fail to detect a serious bladder condition. A slight amount of blood in the urine is normal shortly after the procedure — contact the urologist if it presists.