Further tests

If the tests show that you have cancer of the bladder, the specialist doctor at the hospital (the urologist) will want you to have some further tests to see if the cancer has spread. The tests also help the doctor to decide on the best type of treatment for you.

CT scan (CAT scan)

A CT scan checks whether the cancer has spread. A series of x-ray pictures is taken of the pelvis and fed into a computer to give a detailed picture of the inside of the body.

You will be given a special liquid to drink a few hours before your test, and again, in the x-ray department. This liquid shows up on x-ray and makes sure that a clear picture is taken.

Once you are lying comfortably on the couch, the scan can be taken. The scan itself is painless. You have to lie still for up to 10-15 minutes.

Most people are able to go home as soon as their scan is over.

The CT scan is painless but takes up to 30 minutes.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI or NMR scan)

This test is similar to a CT scan, but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build up cross-sectional pictures of your body. You cannot have an MRI scan if you have any metal in your body, such as heart pacemakers or certain types of surgical clips.

During the test, you will be asked to lie very still on a couch inside a long tube for about 30 minutes. It can be slightly uncomfortable and some people feel claustrophobic during the scan. It is also very noisy, but you will be given earplugs or headphones to wear. You can usually take someone with you into the room to keep you company.

Ultrasound scan

In this test, sound waves make up a picture of the inside of the body. You may have scans of your bladder and pelvis. The scan will be done in the hospital scanning department.

Before your test, you will be asked to drink plenty of fluids so that your bladder is full and a clear picture can be seen. Once you are lying comfortably on your back, a special gel is spread over the skin of your abdomen. A small device, like a microphone, is passed over the area. The echoes are converted into a picture by a computer. The scan is completely painless. It takes about 15-20 minutes. Once the scan is over, you will be able to empty your bladder. There will be a toilet nearby and the scan department staff can show you where it is.

It will probably take several days for the results of your tests to be ready, and this waiting period will obviously be an anxious time for you. It may help if you can talk things over with a close friend or relative.