How are urinary system cancers diagnosed?

In addition to considering your symptoms, your doctor will have you undergo a series of tests when diagnosing urinary system cancer. If your doctor suspects you might have cancer in your bladder or urethra, your doctor might conduct a cystoscopy, during which a thin tube called a cystoscope, which has a small light and camera on the end, is inserted into the urethra and bladder to provide the doctor with a close-up view of this area. A biopsy might be taken during the cystoscopy. During a biopsy, the doctor collects a small tissue sample, which is sent to a lab for testing. A biopsy of the kidney might also be conducted if your doctor suspects you have kidney cancer. Urine cytology is another lab test that is used to diagnose urinary system cancer; this involves sending a urine sample to a lab for testing. Your doctor might also have you undergo an imaging scan of your urinary system. An imaging scan will provide your doctor with a detailed picture of your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.