Why a cystoscopy is used

A cystoscopy can be used to investigate problems with your bladder or urinary system, or it may be used as part of a medical procedure.

Investigating symptoms

You may need to have a cystoscopy if you experience symptoms that suggest there's something wrong with your bladder. For example:

• Urinary incontinence the involuntary passing of urine
• blood in your urine (haematuria)
• persistent pelvic pain
• pain or a burning sensation when you pass urine (dysuria)
• frequently needing to urinate
• not being able to pass urine or only being able to pass urine intermittently ("stop-start")
• a feeling that your bladder isn't completely empty after passing urine

Investigating conditions

A cystoscopy may also be needed if you have a condition that affects your urinary system, or previous test results suggest that you may do (such as abnormal urine test results).

Conditions that a cystoscopy may be used to detect or monitor include:

• a narrowed or blocked urethra (urethral stricture); the urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body
• serious or repeated urinary tractinfections
• polyps (non-cancerous growths)
• an enlarged prostategland
• bladder stones
• problems with the ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder)
• bladder cancer , as well as other cancers of the urinary tract

Carrying out procedures

Aurologist (specialist in treating bladder conditions) can carry out a number of medical procedures using surgical instruments passed downa cystoscope. These include:

• removal of a stone from the bladder or ureter
• obtaining a urine sample from each of the ureters to check for an infection or tumour
• removing a sample of tissue for testing in cases of suspected bladder cancer ( biopsy )
• inserting a stent (small tube) into a narrowed ureter to help the flow of urine, or removing an existingstent
• injecting dye into the ureters up towards the kidneysthis will be highlighted on an X-ray and will help to identify problems such as a blockage or kidney stone
• injecting medication into the bladder or ureters for example, to treat a problem where urine flows up the ureters