What were your symptoms before getting diagnosed with bladder cancer?

Get the cystoscopy ASAP

I had a spot of blood at the very end of urinating. Plus, I was going to the bathroom too often.

I really had no symptoms. 3 weeks ago I had brown urine. Scared me a lot. Since this was the weekend, a visiting nurse gave me an antibiotic. A week later I pass a large what I described as a blood clot (but not sure) which was about the size of my pinky. Then my urine turned bright red. It was the weekend and I went to the ER. They did a bunch of tests and CT scans and saw 2 growths on my bladder. I was discharged and told to go see a urologist. The ER doctor called my urologist to say this was urgent. My appointment with the urologist was quick. He suspects cancer and will do a biopsy which the earliest the hospital can do is Jan 7 2025. So I am waiting and scared until they can do the biopsy and determine what I have.

@peter51f
Hi there! A ct scan sill show nothing. Get a cystoscopy. Your symptoms are thpical of bladder cancer, yet it dorns't mean it is invasive. It can be malignant but affecting only the superficial cdll of the bladder- called urothelial cells. If so, they can easily renove it, follow with a bladder chemo wash and then you go thru cystos every 3 months to watch for recurrence. Don't get all anxious, get the cysto first

Get a Ct scan to see if there are other areas of growth. You also need your urologist to look at the scan. They will probably want to do the scope if the CT shows something in the bladder. Get it done. Not great fun but necessary to see what is going on

@peter51f, I can imagine you're worried. I'm glad that you will be getting further testing to rule out or confirm cancer. Here's some information from Mayo Clinic about
- Tests and procedures used to diagnose bladder cancer https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356109

@mjklymasss mentions getting a systoscopy. Your biopsy will likely be done during a cystoscopy. "To perform cystoscopy, your doctor inserts a small, narrow tube (cystoscope) through your urethra. The cystoscope has a lens that allows your doctor to see the inside of your urethra and bladder, to examine these structures for signs of disease. "

You will likely also be scheduled for imaging studies, like a CT scan. As @scott232 said, a CT scan examine the structures of your urinary tract to see the extent of the cancer, if cancer is detected.

Feel free to post any questions these next days leading up to your appointment next week. How are you doing?

I am somewhat confused right now.
I had the CT scan done a couple weeks ago and they spotted a growth on my bladder. Suggesting it might be cancer. I thought it was on the outside of the bladder. But I may be wrong on this
If they do the scope from the inside how can they tell if cancer if the lesion is on the outside of the bladder.

Not seeing the doctor until they do the biopsy. Maybe I should call him now.

I had no symptoms other than microhematuria discovered during per-op check prior to hip surgery. Other than typical, as for years, described by my primary doc as OAB or BPH. Ha. After a day surgery for a TURP, I was off to Mayo to see a real doctor. 3 weeks later, on the table, 9 hours later, no bladder no prostate, but life. 11 years ago today!

It pays to see a real doctor who does this type of work every day, not two or three times a month!

I had blood in urine on a yearly physical. CT scan revealed something in my bladder. Next met with Urologist. She did scope into my bladder and found tumor on upper wall. Next step was TURBT surgery to remove tumor. Had a second surgery to make sure cancer margins were clear. Both surgeries I had chemo in post op for one hr while waking up.
Started BCG immune therepy for 6 sessions and then a three session BCG weekly.
I go to urologist next week for check in my bladder to see if cancer is gone.
This is not fun but all doable
Next steps will depend on results. This is a highly reoccurring cancer but some very good options to live on Good luck

Congrats to you. I go for prostate surgery and glad they caught it.