Bladder cancer - European Society for Medical Oncology
Bladder cancer - European Society for Medical Oncology
Bladder cancer - European Society for Medical Oncology
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3.<br />
4.<br />
In specific circumstances, the doctor will also inspect the ureters, a procedure called<br />
ureteroscopy*. In other circumstances, cystoscopy also includes biopsy sampling from the<br />
urethra*.<br />
Histopathological examination*<br />
This is the laboratory investigation of the tumor cells. It is<br />
per<strong>for</strong>med on the tissue from the tumor removed during<br />
cystoscopy*. The histopathological* in<strong>for</strong>mation will confirm<br />
the diagnosis of bladder <strong>cancer</strong> and will reveal the specific<br />
characteristics of the tumor, allowing the doctor to determine<br />
the type of bladder <strong>cancer</strong>.<br />
If surgery is indicated after the cystoscopy (usually a TURB* ), a second histopathological<br />
examination will be per<strong>for</strong>med on the tumor tissue obtained during surgery. This is very<br />
important to confirm the results of the first biopsy* and to provide more accurate<br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation on the <strong>cancer</strong> and the <strong>cancer</strong>’s stage.<br />
Radiological examination*<br />
If the histopathological examination* shows that<br />
the tumor has grown into the deeper layers (the<br />
muscle layers) of the bladder,<br />
then radiological<br />
investigation is needed to determine if the tumor<br />
has also grown into the tissues and lymph nodes*<br />
outside the bladder.<br />
The radiological investigation is part of a<br />
diagnostic process called staging* and can be<br />
per<strong>for</strong>med using computed<br />
tomography (CT)* or<br />
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)* of the abdomen and pelvis. The staging procedure<br />
further also includes a CT of the chest, and if there are symptoms of tumor spread in the<br />
bones, also a bone scintigraphy*.<br />
<strong>Bladder</strong> <strong>cancer</strong>: a guide <strong>for</strong> patients‐ In<strong>for</strong>mation based on ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines ‐v.2012.1 Page 8<br />
This document is provided by Reliable Cancer Therapies with the permission of ESMO.<br />
The in<strong>for</strong>mation in this document does not replace a medical consultation. It is <strong>for</strong> personal use only and cannot be modified,<br />
reproduced or disseminated in any way without written permission from ESMO and Reliable Cancer Therapies.