Diagnostic Tools for Bladder Cancer 

 Physical exam
The doctor will feel the abdomen and pelvis for tumors. A rectal and vaginal exam is usually performed.

 Urine tests
To detect blood, cancer cells and other signs of disease.

 Cystoscopy
A thin tube with a lens and a light is guided into the bladder under direct vision so as to inspect the bladder lining. This can be perforrmed as an office procedure. If there are any areas that are suspicious for an abnormality, admission to the hospital is required so that anesthesia can be administered and the tumor resected and submitted to pathology for analysis under the microscope.

 Intravenous pyelogram
INjection of contrast material into a vein allows uptake by the kidney and provides imaging of the kidney, ureter, and bladder.

 CT scan
Provides cross-sectional images of the body giving very clear pictures of internal organs. Injection of a contrast agent will enhance the imaging.

 MRI scan
Uses different technology to provide cross-sectional images.
 
 X-ray
A term used to generall describe technology that can image body parts through the use of ionizing radiation.

 Ultrasound
Imaging that is made possibly by the reflection of sound waves rather than ionizing radiation, thereby reducing radiation exposure.

 Bone scan
Imaging of the skeletal system to detect abnormalities.