The goal of this test is to look for signs of infection or other problems that may be causing your symptoms. You will urinate in a cup for this test. Then your urine is sent to a lab to be tested for blood, certain chemical levels, and signs of infection. The urine is also cultured to see if organisms, such as bacteria, grow. It normally takes a few days for the test results to come back.

For this lab test, your urine is checked under a microscope. The cells are checked to see if any of them look like cancer or pre-cancer cells.

These tests are used to look for markers or substances that bladder cancer cells make and release into your urine.

This procedure lets your healthcare provider look at the inside of your bladder. It’s the best test for diagnosing bladder cancer. Your healthcare provider slides a very thin, flexible tube through your urethra into your bladder. The tube has a tiny camera and light in it(cystoscope.) Salt water is put into your bladder through this same tube. This fills your bladder and helps your healthcare provider see the inside wall of your bladder. If a change is seen that looks like it might be cancer, the provider may take out a tiny piece of for testing. Your healthcare provider may also take a urine sample with a bladder wash during a cystoscopy. This is when the salt water is removed, saved, and checked at under a microscope.

In this test, a contrast dye is put into a vein in your arm or hand. As the dye moves through and outlines your kidney, ureters, and bladder, your healthcare provider takes a series of X-rays. This test is used to find tumors, other changes, kidney stones, or any blockages. It’s also used to measure blood flow through your kidneys. This test can help to rule out other diseases or check for cancer in other parts of the urinary tract.