CT or CAT SCAN is a type of X-ray during which a large number of cross-section pictures of your body are taken and together build up a three dimensional image of the issues and organs inside. You may be asked to take a drink containing special dye to help outline the organs that are being examined and improve the quality of the pictures.

You will probably be in the department about an hour and a half and can normally go home immediately afterwards.

(There is a CT Scan information leaflet available which explains the scans in more detail.)

RADIOACTIVE BONE SCANS may be performed to check if any cancer has spread from the bladder to the bones. A tiny amount of radioactive liquid is injected into a vein, and then you will have a scan two to three hours later. The test does NOT make you radioactive as the amount used is so minute, and the scan is painless. Any areas of bone that are abnormal pick up the dye,and these areas can be X-rayed to give more detail,

ULTRASOUND SCANS produce a picture of the inside of the abdomen by using sound waves. You will be asked to drink plenty of fluids so that your bladder is full and the picture is clear. The scan takes about 15 minutes and is completely painless.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLADDER CANCER

SUPERFICIAL BLADDER TUMOURS

Most bladder cancers are SUPERFICIAL, and look like tiny sea anemones growing on the inside lining of the bladder. They are sometimes known as PAPILLARY tumours; in the past they were sometimes called PAPILLOMAS or BLADDER WARTS. They can be single or multiple.

TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL TUMOURS

They can be completely removed very simply by cutting them off with a probe passed up the cystoscope and CAUTERISING the bladder wall to prevent bleeding. The tumours are then removed through the cystoscope for microscopic examination. Small tumours are destroyed completely by this treatment but unfortunately the bladder may develop other tumours with time. It is therefore very important to have regular cystoscopies every few months to check that the bladder remains healthy and tumour free. Your urologist will be able to discuss with you how often you will need to come to hospital for cystoscopies once he has looked at your bladder and seen the laboratory result from your biopsies.

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