Bladder Cancer Staging: An Overview
If a
bladder cancer diagnosis is made, the doctor will need to determine the
bladder cancer stage, or extent, of the disease in order to plan the best
bladder cancer treatment. Bladder cancer staging is an attempt to find out the size of the tumor, whether the disease has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body.
Bladder Cancer Staging Tests
Tests and procedures that may be used in bladder cancer staging include:
- Cystoscopy
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Chest x-ray
- Bone scan.
Cystoscopy
A cystoscopy is a procedure that is used to look inside of the bladder and urethra to check for abnormal areas. In order to perform a cystoscopy, a cystoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the urethra into the bladder and tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.
Computed Tomography Scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan is a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body that are taken from different angles. A computer that is linked to an x-ray machine makes these pictures, and a dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly on the x-ray. This procedure is also called computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
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