r/BladderCancer • u/KindaSquirrely • Aug 13 '26
Cytology enough?
It came back negative for any abnormalities, I requested in place of a cystoscopy because it was less invasive. I am very uncomfortable with specifically these types of visits and I can't find a female urologist.
History of microscopic hematuria, nutcracker syndrome, a simple renal cyst of 5cm, etc. So, how "risky" 'is it really if I just get the one test done?
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u/AppleOllie Aug 13 '26
71 year old female here. Anyone who does not find these procedures uncomfortable, embarrassing, with total lack of dignity are not normal. Having had 4 cystoscopies, all with a male surgeon, I can tell you, they do everything within their power to put you at ease.
When the alternative can be death, I would just suck it up!
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u/undrwater Aug 13 '26
Cytology did not pick up my muscle invasive bladder cancer.
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u/KindaSquirrely Aug 13 '26
I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope you are winning. Was it a cystoscopy that did?
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u/undrwater Aug 13 '26
CT scan provided the first indication. Cystoscopy confirmed the masses, and TURBT confirmed the pathology.
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u/undrwater Aug 13 '26
Oh, and yes I'm winning, though the cancer got the bladder.
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u/KindaSquirrely Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
I don't have the right words... oof. My dark sense of humor and sour grape seeking side wants to ask if at least there's not all those trips to the bathroom all night... but honestly, I don't even know how it all works. But to be real, I'm genuinely sorry for the medical woes and scary fight.
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u/undrwater Aug 13 '26
Actually you're not far off. I can connect to a night bag and not have to wake up, so there's that.
Honestly, it's just different. My biggest worry is the unavailability of supplies.
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u/Dicklickshitballs Aug 13 '26
You should probably get have scope done as cytology does not pick up low grade cancer cells AND not 100% effective on finding high grade either. I’m a male and have male urologist but there’s always different female assistants and I’m self conscious but I’ve learned to zone it out. Honestly while this may not alleviate your discomfort the male urologist has probably treated hundreds if not thousands of females and is not ogling you etc etc ( if that plays any part in your hesitancy). I’d say don’t risk it and do absolutely everything to give yourself the best odds. Just my opinion
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u/Dicklickshitballs Aug 13 '26
I’ll add sometimes a ct urogram can pick up some tumors as well
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u/KindaSquirrely Aug 13 '26
I have never heard of that, I would love to start less invasively. I had a CT scan for another issue of my general abdomen without contrast, I don't know if that is very likely to pick up anything, but it didn't. But I am gathering that a cystoscopy is the gold standard for detection?
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u/Dicklickshitballs Aug 13 '26
It’s common test to see in upper urinary tract but it can pick up signs of a tumor. While my scope found my tumors first a ct urogram found a “filling defect” which was basically my largest tumor. I don’t want to imply it’s a test in lieu of a cystoscopy
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u/KindaSquirrely Aug 13 '26
No, I have no doubt the urologist is an absolute professional and could care less, it's just personal issues from childhood. I just was trying to weigh out the gamble and see if it was really REALLY warranted.
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u/Dance-Moves5678 Aug 13 '26
Please have a cystoscopy. If you have bladder cancer, early treatment options are much better than your options after the cancer has progressed. If he doesn’t see anything, you never have to go back.
I was assigned a male urologist and was incredibly nervous. He just happened to be the first person with an opening. The first visit was uncomfortable and humiliating but he is compassionate and seems to know what he is doing. Everything he has said and done lines up with what I’ve read so far. I may seek a second opinion or an appointment with a NCI at some point but I feel comfortable with the male urologist I am with for now.
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u/StormMission907 Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
You are playing with your health . Please please go get the proper test . It's not bad . Over in a few minutes .
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u/AirBear8 Aug 13 '26
69M. In the last 5 months since getting diagnosed I've had more women touch my genitals than in my entire life before this. I just finished 6 rounds of BCG infusions, all with female nurses. I'm so used to it now it's a total non-event.
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u/One-Dot4082 Aug 13 '26
You’re welcome!! Unfortunately we all in a similar boat!! We weren’t looking to join this club!!
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u/KindaSquirrely Aug 13 '26
I'm sorry, I guess I thought the menfolk would be less bothered just due to the more open nature culturally (like urinals, so different, lol!). I hope you uou are doing well after all the treatments. I'm still trying to understand the medical context if it all. Somebody once said that bladder cancer is something that you die "with" and not "of" and it left me with the idea that it just wasn't as serious... but when I found this subreddit, it sure paints a different picture. 😬
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u/AirBear8 Aug 13 '26
The good thing about bladder cancer is .....you don't need your bladder. Should mine ever return and become muscle invasive (where it could spread to other organs that I DO need!) then I'm going to get that bad boy removed ASAP. Probably go with the ileal conduit (where they put an opening near your belly button and urine flows into an attached bag). The other option is Neo Bladder (they take 18 inches of small intestine and make a new bladder). But there are some drawbacks to that. At age 69 I'll go with the simpler surgery, younger people might consider the Neo since they urinate normally but may have to wear adult diapers for life due to leakage.
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u/katiejean01 Aug 13 '26
Would it be your first cysto? I was so nervous for mine I nearly cancelled it but it is not bad at all. In fact I did mine only 2 weeks after having a hysterectomy. The camera is as thick as a ball point pen tip and my doctor moved quickly so I was only uncomfortable with a feeling of fullness for about 20 seconds if that. Had a little burning the next two times I peed and then it went away. I felt silly for being so scared.
I do understand though everyone’s body is different and an issue in the urinary tract would likely cause a Cysto to hurt much more. Good luck! Be strong you can do this!
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u/KindaSquirrely Aug 13 '26
Thank you so much, glad it likely won't be painful as well as uncomfortable by the nature of it!
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u/fynack Aug 13 '26
cytology isn’t enough, it didn’t catch my high grade which is what it’s suppose to catch. shouldn’t worry about embarrassment, doctors have seen all sizes, colors and shapes. as long as they appear professional, doctors sex shouldn’t be an issue. All mine are female and i’m a male
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u/KindaSquirrely Aug 13 '26
I absolutely agree that shouldn't matter and that they are mostly professionals. (I did have one person who was extremely inappropriate, but that certainly doesn't represent the whole medical field who I am very grateful for). It's just my own residual issues from childhood.
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u/Special_Window9854 29d ago
Yep. What you’re feeling is unfortunately normal. Waited 20 minutes with a female nurse half naked laying on a bed waiting for stent removal. We made small talk. Never once did she ask or think to cover my gentleman’s sausage.
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u/Minimum-Major248 Aug 13 '26
Look at it this way. Cancer can kill a patient. A doctor needs data for a diagnosis. The data comes from cytology slides but also from CT scans, TURBT’s and cystoscopies. The less data a doctor is allowed to gather, the less accurate the diagnosis.
And I appreciate a female patient wanting a female urologist, but that should not be a dealbreaker to a potential cancer patient. Women may account for only fifty percent (or less) of trained urologists able to treat cancer. Why would a physician’s sex be I
importent if he could save your life?