Bladder biopsy??

[jen74]

Hi Ladies.
I am going to see a uro who was recommended by my urogyne. I also went to see a infectious disease doc today and he said that I should really think about going to see this uro and should get a cystoscopy done with a biopsy. The infectious disease doc said that he will fax the uro on what he wants the uro to look for in the specimin. He said they should check for micobacteria, fungus, and other things just to rule it out anyways.
What can I expect with a bladder biopsy? I know I will be sedated( I will insist upon that). But how do you care for a biopsy afterwards? I mean I had a biopsy before of my leg and I know that I could not get it wet for 24 hours and I also had to be real careful with it not to get it infected. How do you do that with your bladder? Is it an outpatient procedure? I cannot afford to stay in the hospital, I have a HUGE out of pocket expense with our insurance. Is this painful? I also had biopsies of my throat before, and that was outpatient as well, but was wondering if this is different. Also, do you bleed alot afterwards?
Jen

[Briza]

From what I know most of us who have had bladder biopsies have had them done during a cysto/hydro under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia in a hospital setting as an outpatient surgery. The biopsies taken are very very small...like 3mm x 3mm and they heal themselves, and no special care that I know of is done post op for them specifically...usually just antibiotics, pain meds, pyridium (or a similar type med) to help with the pain and burning and risk of infection (UTI) after the surgery. Now, you could probably have them taken, I would imagine, without having the hydro, but still, you would probably want to have some sort of sedation. Possibly what they call twilight sedation...similar to what dentists sometimes use. I really don't know as I don't remember reading anyone reporting having bladder biopsies done in office. These are definitely questions that you should ask the uro doing the biopsies, and hopefully some of the other ladies will chime in with more than I know. As for the bleeding...some people report more bleeding than others after their cysto/hydro/biopsies, some report no bleeding at all. Best wishes:)

[mlzippy7]

Here is some info on it. I have had it and for me it was not bad. Have you ever had biopsies of your intestines or anything like that???

Bladder biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a small piece of tissue from the bladder for examination.

How the Test is Performed

A bladder biopsy is usually performed as a part of a cystoscopy. If abnormalities of the bladder are found during this examination, or if a tumor is visible, a small portion of tissue, or possibly the entire area of concern, is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

How to Prepare for the Test

You must sign an informed consent form before you undergo a bladder biopsy. Usually you are asked to urinate just prior to the procedure. You may also be asked to take an antibiotic prior to the procedure.

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)
Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)
How the Test Will Feel Return to top

There may be slight discomfort as the cystoscope (a lighted instrument used to look at the bladder) is passed through your urethra (the canal leading from the bladder to the outside of the body) into your bladder. You will feel an uncomfortable sensation -- similar to a strong urge to urinate -- when the fluid has filled your bladder.

You may feel a pinch during the biopsy, and a burning sensation when the blood vessels are cauterized (sealed to stop bleeding).

After the cystoscope is removed, your urethra may be sore and you may experience a burning sensation during urination for a day or two.

Sometimes when the suspicious area is larger, anesthesia, either general or spinal, is required to remove the area in question.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is most often performed to check for cancer of the bladder or urethra.

Normal Results

The bladder wall is smooth. The bladder is of a normal size, shape, and position. There are no obstructions, growths, or stones.

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 disorders such as a non-cancerous cysts, ulcers, infection, and bladder diverticula.

Risks

There is some risk of urinary tract infection.

There is slight risk of excessive bleeding or rupturing of the bladder wall with the cystoscope or during biopsy.

Considerations

A small amount of blood is usually passed in the urine shortly after this procedure. If the bleeding continues after the time you urinate, contact your health care provider.

Contact your health care provider if you have pain, chills, or fever or if your urine output is lower than usual (oliguria).

[jen74]

Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it. I am not having a hydro done, was actually told this is dangerous to do when having a biopsy taken. Anyhow, I will insist on sedation, dont worry about that :) I have not had biopsies of my intestines, but I have had biopsies of my throat/esophagus, and also of my leg. The ones in my throat were real painful afterwards, but the one on my leg was not at all. Thanks again for the info. The infection risk is pretty scary though since I have major issues with antibitoics, I am allergic to most of them and the ones that I can take, which are not many, I have to be on benadrly with them. This may be a problem. Things can never be easy for me.
Jen

[Briza]

Zippy
Thanks for the more detailed info than I was able to provide.
I suppose if this were to be done in an office setting would depend on your tolerance for pain and any anxiety regarding the procedure.
Also, Jen, you say you definitely want to be sedated...I would imagine if you want to be sedated, in- office, it would depend on this particular uro's office set up...some uro's offices may not be equipped to sedate you, like if you want to be knocked out enough to not remember anything. If the office is not equipped that way I would definitely want at MINIMUM something like valium and pain meds before the procedure, but that is just me. I have high anxiety regarding med procedures and a very low tolerance for pain, and a very long memory for pain, which for me leads to more anxiety regarding med procedures. I had an in-office vulvar biopsy...I was totally unprepared for that and the pain it involved. I was not offered any pain meds, valium, nothing beforehand. And when I did ask for them afterwards I was was sent home with nothing except feeling like I had been treated like a drug seeking crazy person! I went alone to that appt and then had to drive myself home, after crying in the parking lot for half an hour. So please ask as many questions as possible...I didn't know all the questions to ask back then, but I have definitely lived and learned.
Best wishes, my best advice is to continue to ask questions here, do your research, and ask the uro anything and everything you are concerned about!:) Take care!

[dg2901]

I had a biopsy done during a hydro/cysto; there was nothing to it in my case.
I was quite scared, as just the word "biopsy" wigs me out.

By all means, run your concerns by your DR.
If you go through with the procedure, I hope its uneventful!

Take care..
Diana

[anewday]

I had a biopsy done during my hydro/distention. I did urinate blood for quite a bit afterward, but I don't know if it was from the biopsy or the procedure.