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Bladder Cancer Query

LAM_10
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Hi there, I'm new to this and very nervous.

For the past 8 months I have been in a lot of pain. I have felt like I've had a recurring urine infection, the aching, constant need to pee, the burning. However, after been tested multiple times for infection, nothing has flagged up. About a month ago my pain started to become worse and more frequent and I was admitted to the local hospital around a week ago. They took urine samples, blood tests and an ultrasound but all came back clear. They discharged me with morphine (which doesn't make a difference) and they sent a letter to my GP asking them to make an appointment for me to see the urologist. I have been sick with worry as my pain isn't getting any better and all my tests seem to show up clear. I have spoken to a few people and they have said that my symptoms remind them of someone they know that has had bladder cancer. I googed the symptoms (I know I probably shouldn't have) and they all checked off. However, if I did have bladder cancer would it have shown up on my ultrasound? Or would other methods be needed to diagnose? I was wondering if anyone could help me with these questions? Sorry if my questions are a bit ignorant I don't mean for them to be.
 

Thanks in advance for any help that can be given. :happy:

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    Hi LAM_10. Welcome to the forum.

    I was treated for bladder cancer just over a year ago, after one episode of peeing blood.

    I was referred to a urologist and had a CAT scan and then a cystoscopy.  I'd also had an ultrasound about a year earlier for what appears to be an unrelated issue.  Neither the CAT scan nor the ultrasound found anything wrong with the bladder.  However the cystoscopy showed a very tiny cancer growing.  It looked just like some aquarium plant, actually quite pretty, with swaying fronds.  I suspect it might have been this rapid movement which prevented the CAT and U/S (assuming it had been present when I had the the ultrasound) from creating an image of it.

    I had a very simple operation to remove it (under 1 hour asleep, in and out the same day). A follow up cystoscopy four months later showed no recurrence, and I'm due another cystoscopy about now, but with Covid around it might be delayed.

    So, from my experience, the best way to diagnose bladder cancer is with a cystoscopy.  From the research I did at the time, bladder cancer seems to be one of the more easily treatable cancers. As my GP put it: "more of a nuisance than a danger". 

     

     

  • Offline in reply to telemando

    Thank you very much for your information it was very helpful and I appreciate you replying.

    May I ask if you had any other symptoms aside from bleeding?

  • Offline in reply to LAM_10

    Hi. Sorry for the late reply.

     

    No. The single episode of bleeding was the only symptom I had, although we'll never know whether I might have had more bleeding if I hadn't sought treatment. 

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    Hi mate..hope you are well. Have you had an update on this for us? 

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