Bladder Biopsy

A bladder biopsy is performed as part of a cystoscopy, and the entire procedure usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes to complete. This is a very straightforward procedure, and you can go home on the same day.

For flexible cystoscopies (in the outpatient setting), a local anaesthetic will be applied to the urethra, which will also serve as a lubricant to help ease the cystoscope in. For rigid cystoscopies (performed in our Surgery Centre), you’ll receive a general anaesthesia or a strong sedative.

Your surgeon will insert a thin tube with a camera (cystoscope) and light through your urethra into your bladder. A saline solution is then administered through the cystoscope to help inflate the bladder. This will make visualisation of the inside layer of your bladder easier, and it will help the surgeon locate the target area for biopsy.

Using small instruments passed through the cystoscope, the surgeon will remove small tissue samples from any abnormal-looking area. A hot probe may be used to seal the biopsy site and prevent bleeding. The sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Whilst a bladder biopsy is generally straightforward and safe, potential side effects and risks can occur. Common side effects include:

• burning while urinating – it’s normal to feel a mild burning or stinging sensation while urinating for 1 to 2 days

• blood in your urine – mild bleeding and small blood clots in your urine are typical for a few days following the procedure

• urinary tract infections (UTIs) – there’s a slight risk of developing a UTI after the procedure

Increasing your oral fluid intake will make your urine less concentrated, thus less irritating to your water works. It also helps flush the bladder and reduce infection risk. Your consultant may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent you from developing a UTI.

While you recover, we advise you to monitor for more serious but rare risks, which include:

• excessive bleeding – if the bleeding is heavy, if you’re passing a large number of clots, or if this continues for more than a few days

• inability to urinate – in rare cases, swelling can cause temporary urinary retention. We usually ask patients to stay in the facility until they have passed urine. If you cannot pass urine, a urinary catheter may be needed to help drain the bladder

• pain that’s unmanageable even with stronger pain killers (such as co-codamol)

• fevers, chills, and being very unwell

Let your consultant know if you’re having any of these problems, and go to your local emergency department as advised.

Before any biopsy is performed, your consultant will see you for your initial appointment, where they’ll take your medical history and get more details about your current health concerns. They’ll then carry out preliminary tests such as urine analysis and imaging scans, such as an ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, or an MRI scan.

These tests will detect abnormal cells or exhibit structural changes in your bladder. However, these tests will not provide a definitive diagnosis to confirm if the abnormal cells or the structural changes in your bladder are cancerous or not. Therefore, a bladder biopsy is necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis, as this will analyse the cells under a microscope.

In the lead-up to the procedure, you may be asked to stop certain medications, such as blood thinners. You may also need to fast for at least 6 hours if you’re having sedation or general anaesthesia. If this is the case, you’ll also need to arrange for someone to collect you upon discharge.

On admission, you’ll be asked to provide a urine sample to be tested for any signs of infection. If your test comes back positive and you have UTI symptoms, your consultant might postpone the procedure and treat your UTI first with antibiotics before proceeding with the procedure. 

Right before the procedure, your consultant will see you to provide all the necessary information and address any questions or concerns you have. They’ll also ask you to complete a consent form. If you are having a general anaesthesia or deep sedation, an anaesthetist will come to see you as well to explain the anaesthetic process.

Once everything is ready, we’ll ask you to change into a theatre gown and will accompany you to our theatre room or procedure suite.

After the procedure, you’ll be monitored for a short time. The downtime is very minimal, and you can go home on the same day.

You should avoid any strenuous activities (which include lifting heavy objects or sexual activity) until your consultant advises you that it is safe to do so. Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, are all you will need to control any pain.

Getting your results

A pathologist will examine the tissue sample under a microscope to determine the diagnosis. Results are usually available around 5 to 7 working days. A follow-up appointment with your consultant will then be arranged, where they will discuss the results of the biopsy with you and any treatment needed.

Please get in touch with our Surgery Centre, Urology and Men’s Health centre for pricing.

At Welbeck, our urological surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a bladder biopsy, you must be referred by either your GP or urology specialist, following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Welbeck specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.