HI Bostonter

Welcome to the forum.

I'm a 65 year old man, never smoked.  

Easter this year (2019) I had a single incidence of visible blood in my urine.  I immediately saw a doctor to wasted no time putting me on a two week suspected cancer pathway.

When I saw the specialist, she referred me for a CT scan and flexible cystoscopy. She would also have referred me for a prostate check, but that was removed 9 years ago!  She also told me that in 8 out of 10 cases they do all the checks and they never find anything wrong.

The CT scan showed up a minor unrelated kidney problem that is now being monitored but will probably never become serious, but no cancer.

However, the cystoscopy found a very tiny cancer just beginning to grow. Guess I wasn't in the lucky 8 out of 10, although I suppose I was lucky that it was caught early.  I had a TURBT operation in June and I'm going to have my first follow up cystoscopy next week. 

The cancer was too small to show up on the CT, and I doubt it would have shown up on an ultrasound. 

Of course, that was me, and just because it happened to me, it doesn't mean that it will happen to you.

If I were in your situation, I would look at the NICE guidelines for urological cancer to see if they applied to me, and if they did then I'd return to my doctor and ask for a 2 week referral.  If they don't apply (probably through your age), then I would have a serious discussion with your GP about your options.

Hi Telemando, 

Many thanks for replying. It certainly sounds as though you have been very fortunate to catch your BC early.   

It seems I’m right about the limitations of ultrasound, but as I don’t fit in the the criteria listed in the NICE guidelines, it is a starting point to find out what’s going on.   I’ve been working on the basis that the is something causing the blood and white blood cells in my urine and we would get to the bottom of it... 8 out of 10 however suggests possibly not m, and while I felt I wouldn’t sit easy without answer, that statistic is definitely reassuring that it could just be one of those reassuring things. I think a cystoscopy is probably the only result they will give complete reassurance. Hopefully my GP will agree. Best of luck with your journey Telemundo, and thank you again. 

Well the ultrasound came back normal. If I want to discuss it with the gp I can get an appoint for 4 weeks time. No recommendation for any further investigation or discussion. I really do struggle to understand the service the NHS offers now days. I had to visit the hospital for something unrelated on the meantime and blood specs were noted in my urine again. It seems as though it has to be glaringly obvious something is wrong for the doctors to have any interest. 

How are you telemando? 

Hi Bostonter.

On friday, I have my first follow up cystoscopy after the TURBT operation in June.  I have to admit I'm somewhat nervous, although my GP reassures me that all will be well. I'll update you when I know the result. 

As for your case, I'm at somewhat of a loss to know what to suggest.  I think you need to keep a log of when you see visible blood in your urine and see your GP in 4 weeks time.  Say that this is worrying and you're not reassured by the clear bladder sonogram. You need to be referred to a urologist.