Urology consult

[pbocka]

It's my first time and due to some microscopic presence of blood in urine I am to schedule an urology appointment. I should I expect as a new patient ?

[Ppplll]

I've had the same for about 5 years and had all tests and scans, found nothing. I train like a madman though which could be the cause.

[Hidden]

Following advising your consultant of your history, you may have to have a scan or a cystoscopy. Here is some information about blood in the urine. health.clevelandclinic.org/...

[BexyBoy]

It may depend on how the blood in urine was detected. If it is obvious because of the colour you see when peeing then there may be a lot of blood indicating a serious problem such as cancer, but if it was detected in a urine sample that went to the laboratory, it may be very little and just needing further investigation to rule out a major problem. The first urology appointment can involve an intimate physical examination, including a quick check of your penis and foreskin if you still have yours and possibly a digital rectal examination (finger put inside your anus to feel your prostate) - this is a bit weird, embarassing and uncomfortable as you turn on your side and expose your backside and the urologist puts a gloved and lubricated finger inside you for a few seconds, but after that consultations rarely involve removing all your clothes except for biopsy or cystoscopy, and will be to discuss lab results, whether you need other scans and maybe medication(s).

[fishinphil1946]

Pbocka,

7 years ago I had a few blood cells in my urine. The urologist said no big deal. One year later the toilet was red. I dumped that urologist and the new doctor immediately did a cystoscopy using a camera and a CT screen. I saw a few polyps in my bladder. He said " It's on the surface, it won't kill you, it's bladder cancer. 4 days later he operated and removed them. A month later he cauterized a few suspicious cells. I then had 6 BCG treatments and 6 and 3 and 3 more plus a few more cystoscopy exams. He stated that the probable cause was second hand smoke. I never smoked, but my parents and brother smoked and we lived in a small 4 room apartment in Chicago. I turned 21 in 1977 and the smoke in bars and other places was very thick.

Six years later after I moved from Wisconsin to Texas another urologist looked into my bladder using lousy equipment (no CRT screen view) and found no cancer. Two of my friends were treated by this urologist; one has a bag and one is dead. I again found another urologist. He had a good scope and found cells that needed surgery. I have had 3 of 6 scheduled BCG treatments. For the sake of "brevity" I will let you research the BCG treatments. I had to postpone #3 because of a bladder infection (common with any bladder treatment) requiring 7 days of an antibiotic.

In summary here is my advice:

1. Get a cysto and ask what type of equipment is used. You should be awake and able to see what the urologist is looking at. Blood anywhere outside the circulatory system can be a problem.

2. Bladder cancer can come back. Have a urine test every year.

3. BexyBoy has additional good information.

4. My experience is limited to surface bladder cancer. If the cancer spreads into bladder muscle, it is a more serious problem.