DaiOakley 13-Dec-2007
From Kidney Cancer Resource
Go Back To Dai Oakley
Contents |
13-Dec-2007 - Poke & Peek!
I was called on 13th December for the Cystoscopy with a second appointment for x-rays etc on 21st December!
A cystoscopy involves examining the inside of your bladder by inserting an instrument (Cystoscope), a tube containing a fibre optic light and viewing device (about 3-4 mm diameter) up your Urethra which is the tube which runs from your Bladder down your penis and allows you to pass urine. Before inserting the Cystoscope the surgeon pumps an anaesthetic jelly up your penis. Before all this you should have been asked to empty your bladder. You can then try to wee, when the Cystoscope reaches the Urinary Sphincter so that the Cystoscope meets as little resistance as possible. The Cystoscope enables the surgeon to examine the Urethra as well as the Bladder.
Anyway, the surgeon is getting on with his bit and the nurse is carrying on a conversation with me as if it was the most normal thing in the world. It was not painful but I would not say it was a sensation I enjoyed.
The surgeon then announced that he had found a small Malignant Tumour which he described as 2 to 3 mm across. He said that he wanted me to attend for day surgery to have it removed. He said he was confident that he could remove it completely and that the outlook was good – I have no doubt that I shall find out if they agree to do the removal instead of the tests on 21st December.
Today, after yesterday's experience, my penis feels rather sore. I was advised to drink lots of water to keep flushing my system through and to limit the possibility of infection.
What has struck me most of all is the extremely high quality and speed of the treatment, I have experienced. I find it hard to believe that it could have been any better in the private sector. It is none the less of an unpleasant surprise for Christmas though.
Before I left the clinic after my cystoscopy, I was given a PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET entitled ‘TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF BLADDER TUMOUR – TUR(BT)’ It gives the following information in 8 sections:
LEAFLET: TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF BLADDER TUMOUR – TUR(BT)
Transurethral Resection of a Bladder Tumour is the term applied to the removal of abnormal tissue from the Bladder. Not all such tumours are cancers. It is only after careful examination of the tissue removed that a precise diagnosis can be reached.
THE OPERATION
The operation is performed under either a general or a Spinal Anaesthetic / Epidural. The Anaesthetist will advise which is the best method for you. While you are under the anaesthetic the surgeon will pass an operating telescope through the Urethra. This is the tube that connects the Bladder can be inspected carefully and if any abnormal areas are confirmed to be present, small amounts of tissue can be removed for microscopic examination (a Biopsy) or more often, any abnormal areas can be removed completely.
AFTER THE OPERATION
You will usually have a Catheter left to drain the bladder after the operation. This will allow any blood and debris to be washed out and will allow the Bladder to start healing. The Catheter can usually be removed within the first 24 hours post operatively and you should be able to go home shortly afterwards. Often a single dose of Intravesical Chemotherapy, (see across) will be administered before the Catheter is removed.
WHEN YOU LEAVE HOSPITAL
You may experience some discomfort and bleeding when you pass urine for 2-3 days after you leave hospital. This is to be expected and will normally improve steadily if you maintain a high fluid intake. If your symptoms remain severe you should consult your own General Practitioner. The Biopsy results may not be available before you leave hospital in which case you will be given an outpatient appointment to discuss the results within 2-3 weeks of your operation.
BLADDER CANCER
If you are found to have a Bladder Cancer it does not necessarily mean that your life or health is at risk. However, once you have developed one Bladder Tumour others may form later. As long as any Tumours are identified and dealt with whilst they remain small and are confined to the lining of your Bladder, they can be removed by TURBT or simply burnt away by a process known as Cystodiathermy. In order to ensure that any recurrent Tumours are spotted early when they are easy to deal with, you will be advised to undergo repeated Bladder inspections at intervals of 3 – 12 months. If no recurrent Tumours are seen many of these inspections (called check cystoscopies) can be performed as an outpatient under local anaesthetic.
INTRAVESICAL CHEMOTHERAPY
The risk of developing a recurrent Bladder Tumour can be reduced significantly by administering a chemical treatment into the Bladder after the operation. This is called Intravesical Chemotherapy. A separate information leaflet is available to explain this in more detail. A course of several weekly treatments may be advised.
SERIOUS BLADDER CANCER
Most patients do not have serious Bladder Cancer but sometimes a Bladder Tumour is found which does pose a threat to you. In this situation careful evaluation is required and further Scans and X-Rays may be advised. If your Bladder Tumour is dangerous you may be advised to undergo additional treatment which may include Radio Therapy or even in some instances surgery to remove the Bladder entirely. This operation is called a Cystectomy. If you are found to have a dangerous Bladder Tumour your surgeon and his team will discuss the matter with you in detail.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
All operations involving anaesthesia carry a small risk. If you are at particular risk e.g. because of heart or chest problems. This will be discussed with you before surgery. The specific risks associated with TURBT are bleeding, which is only rarely serious enough to require blood transfusion, and Bladder Perforation which is very rare but may require open surgery if it does occur.
Disclaimer
Kidney Cancer Resource (KCR) is not influenced by sponsors. The information contained herein is not intended as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other licensed health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and information purposes only. Early accurate Diagnosis (Dx.) saves lives. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill, never ignore Symptoms. To help your health care specialist make an accurate Diagnosis please keep notes of dates, times and details of your Symptoms. We are not offering medical advice nor do we consider links, individuals or articles accessed through this site to be offering medical advice.
E&OE - Errors & Omissions Excepted
As much of the information posted on this Web Site for peoples convenience is of a medical or technical nature, and may be a matter of life or death the E&OE is a Disclaimer showing that to the best of our ability information is accurate and correctly written or transcribed. Before acting on information on this site you are responsible for checking it with your relevant medical team. We can not be held responsible for any Errors & Omissions made; nor for information on links and articles provided in good faith.
