Bladder biopsy
Biopsy - bladder
Bladder biopsy is a procedure in which small pieces of tissue are removed from the bladder. The tissue is tested under a microscope.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
How the Test is Performed
A bladder biopsy can be done as part of a cystoscopy . Cystoscopy is a telescopic examination of the inside of the bladder. A small piece of tissue or the entire abnormal area is removed. The tissue is sent to the lab to be tested if:
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is performed to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a telescope.
- Abnormalities of the bladder are found during this exam
-
A
tumor
is seen
Tumor
A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
How to Prepare for the Test
You must sign an informed consent form before you have a bladder biopsy. In most cases, you are asked to urinate just before the procedure. You may also be asked to take an antibiotic before the procedure.
For infants and children, the preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
-
Infant test or procedure preparation
(birth to 1 year)
Infant test or procedure preparation
Being prepared before your infant has a medical test can help you know what to expect during the test. It will also help reduce your anxiety so that...
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Toddler test or procedure preparation
(1 to 3 years)
Toddler test or procedure preparation
Helping your young child prepare for a medical test or procedure can reduce anxiety, increase cooperation, and help your child develop coping skills....
-
Preschooler test or procedure preparation
(3 to 6 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparati...
Preparing properly for a test or procedure reduces your child's anxiety, encourages cooperation, and helps your child develop coping skills.
-
School age test or procedure preparation
(6 to 12 years)
School age test or procedure preparatio
Preparing properly for a test or procedure may reduce your child's anxiety, encourage cooperation, and help your child develop coping skills....
-
Adolescent test or procedure preparation
(12 to 18 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparatio
Preparing for a medical test or procedure can reduce anxiety, encourage cooperation, and help your teen develop coping skills.
How the Test will Feel
You may have a slight discomfort as the cystoscope is passed through your urethra into your bladder. You will feel discomfort that is similar to a strong urge to urinate when the fluid has filled your bladder.
You may feel a pinch during the biopsy. There may be a burning sensation when the blood vessels are sealed to stop bleeding (cauterized).
After the cystoscope is removed, your urethra may be sore. You may feel a burning sensation during urination for a day or two.
In some cases, the biopsy needs to be taken from a large area. In that case, you may need general or spinal anesthesia before the procedure.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is most often done to check for cancer of the bladder or urethra.
Cancer of the bladder
Bladder cancer is a cancer that starts in the bladder. The bladder is the body part that holds and releases urine. It is in the center of the lower...
Normal Results
The bladder wall is smooth. The bladder is of a normal size, shape, and position. There are no blockages , growths, or stones .
Blockages
Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder. It reduces or stops the flow of urine into the urethra. The urethra is t...
Stones
Bladder stones are hard buildups of minerals. These form in the urinary bladder.
What Abnormal Results Mean
The presence of cancer cells indicates bladder cancer. The type of cancer can be determined from the biopsy sample.
Other abnormalities may include:
-
Bladder
diverticula
Diverticula
Diverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...
-
Cysts
Cysts
A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.
- Infection
-
Ulcers
Ulcers
An ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...
Risks
There is some risk for urinary tract infection .
Urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...
There is a slight risk for excessive bleeding. There may be a rupture of the bladder wall with the cystoscope or during biopsy.
There is also a risk that the biopsy will fail to diagnose a serious condition.
Considerations
You will likely have a small amount of blood in your urine shortly after this procedure. If the bleeding continues after you urinate, contact your health care provider.
Also contact your provider if:
- You have pain, chills, or a fever.
-
You are producing less urine than usual (
oliguria
).
Oliguria
Decreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 ml of urine in 24 hours (a little over 2 cups)....
- You cannot urinate despite a strong urge to do so.
References
Bladder tumors. First Consult. 2012. www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/medical_topic/21-s2.0-1014644 . Accessed June 9, 2016.
Duty BD, Conlin MJ. Principles of urologic endoscopy. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 7.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/diagnostic-tests/cystoscopy-ureteroscopy/Pages/default.aspx . Accessed June 9, 2016.
Smith TG, Coburn M. Urologic surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 72.
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Bladder catheterization, female - illustration
A catheter (a hollow tube, often with an inflatable balloon tip) may be inserted into the urinary bladder when there is a urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time.
Bladder catheterization, female
illustration
-
Bladder catheterization, male - illustration
Catheterization is accomplished by inserting a catheter (a hollow tube, often with and inflatable balloon tip) into the urinary bladder. This procedure is performed for urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time. Catheterization in males is slightly more difficult and uncomfortable than in females because of the longer urethra.
Bladder catheterization, male
illustration
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
-
Bladder biopsy - illustration
A bladder biopsy is performed if abnormalities of the bladder are found, or if a tumor is grossly visible. During the biopsy a small portion of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Bladder biopsy
illustration
-
Bladder catheterization, female - illustration
A catheter (a hollow tube, often with an inflatable balloon tip) may be inserted into the urinary bladder when there is a urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time.
Bladder catheterization, female
illustration
-
Bladder catheterization, male - illustration
Catheterization is accomplished by inserting a catheter (a hollow tube, often with and inflatable balloon tip) into the urinary bladder. This procedure is performed for urinary obstruction, following surgical procedures to the urethra, in unconscious patients (due to surgical anesthesia, coma, or other reasons), or for any other problem in which the bladder needs to be kept empty (decompressed) and urinary flow assured. The balloon holds the catheter in place for a duration of time. Catheterization in males is slightly more difficult and uncomfortable than in females because of the longer urethra.
Bladder catheterization, male
illustration
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
-
Bladder biopsy - illustration
A bladder biopsy is performed if abnormalities of the bladder are found, or if a tumor is grossly visible. During the biopsy a small portion of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Bladder biopsy
illustration
Review Date: 5/23/2016
Reviewed By: Jennifer Sobol, DO, urologist with the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.