It is different from bladder cancer or kidney cancer. Blood can enter the urine from any place in the urinary tract. That inflammation can come from an injury, infection, or disease. There are two types of hematuria: Mar 28, 2024 · Upper urinary tract urothelial cancer is a rare type of cancer of the lining of the kidney or ureter. Foods. Healthcare providers inject a contrast dye into one of Mar 1, 2024 · Cystoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor looks inside the bladder and urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) to check for abnormal areas. See a GP if you think it's blood in your pee. However, an abnormal urine cytology result cant diagnose these diseases. People with gross hematuria have urine that is pink, red or brown. Urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), starts in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder. However, it is important to remember that this alone does not indicate cancer. Nov 17, 2021 · Urine tests such as urinalysis and urine microscopy. pain in your lower belly (abdomen), groin, genitals, or lower back. In a urine cytology test, a sample of the patient’s urine is analyzed under a microscope. It can include a variety of tests that detect and measure various compounds that pass through your urine using a single sample of urine. kidney Aug 16, 2022 · Sickle cell disease: This inherited condition affects your red blood cells. Urobilinogen level in urine could be low or absent due to. Other symptoms. Larger clues – like entire cancer cells or their DNA – are too big to pass through the kidneys and will have to come from the bladder or ureters. This involves examining cells in the urine sample for the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells. It is typically clear Feb 27, 2023 · Complete urinalysis is done in a laboratory. Bladder cancer cells can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, and grow there. Aug 15, 2023 · A urine cytology test is a diagnostic tool that can help detect different types of cancer in the urinary system. Urothelial cells are also found in your kidneys and the tubes (ureters) that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Urine cytology, in which a urine sample is examined under a microscope to look for the presence of cancer cells. Kidney cancer. These abnormal cells then divide and produce more abnormal cells. Cancer of the ureter (ureteral cancer) is an abnormal growth of cells on the inside lining of the tubes (ureters) that connect your kidneys to your bladder. Sudden stress such as hard exercise. Although the results are often reassuring, hematuria is a warning symptom that you should never ignore. This result is particularly reassuring for individuals who may be at a higher risk of developing urothelial or bladder cancer, such as smokers or As mere presence of WBCs in urine is not a diagnostic test for cancer, the answer to the question ‘does white blood cells in urine mean cancer’ can be either yes or no depending upon the results of cystoscopy. Interstitial nephritis and cystitis are two conditions May 1, 2018 · The researchers concluded that FISH testing of urine samples in patients with superficial bladder cancer undergoing intravesicle therapy can help predict the risk of a cancer recurrence or the risk of developing a more advanced form of cancer. An increased number of red blood cells (RBCs) and hemoglobin in the urine means there is blood in the urine. Medications you take for arthritis can also lead to retention of urine, blood disorders, and allergic reactions as a side effect. 8-10 For instance, the UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay (Abbot Laboratories) has shown greater SN than cytology to diagnose BC in urine cells, 11 although it does not Apr 21, 2022 · Urine cytology test to check your urine sample under a microscope for cancer cells; This means your doctor will remove the part of your ureter where the cancer is, as well as some surrounding Jul 26, 2021 · The urine shows normal cells. Oftentimes, we don Nov 6, 2019 · Red blood cells (RBC) in the urine can signal problems with the urinary tract, kidneys, or bladder. Reaction to a medicine. On the other hand, cystoscopy is Nov 26, 2023 · If cancer cells are identified, the pathologist will also determine the type and grade of the cancer, which helps guide treatment decisions. Squamous epithelial cells are a type of flat cell found throughout the body, including in the mouth, on the lips, and the cervix. Jan 30, 2023 · A low or negative result for urobilinogen on a urine test may indicate. “Although the majority of causes are not related to cancer and Mar 20, 2018 · Outlook. Bladder cancers that have grown large or have spread to other parts of the body can sometimes cause other symptoms, such as: Being unable to urinate. A normal range is less than 15 to 20 per HPF; therefore, more than 15 to 20 squamous epithelial cells per HPF May 1, 2024 · Bladder cancer may cause an increased amount of epithelial cells in urine. Healthy pee should usually be a clear pale straw color without any visible debris or sediment. Mar 27, 2013 · At the authors’ institution, 1320 of 16,299 of urine cytology specimens (8. Possible causes of blood in urine. This is one of many tools used to diagnose cancers in the urinary tract, including bladder, kidney, prostate, ureter and urethra cancers. UPC greater than 0. 2-0. As more abnormal cells are made, the tumor develops. However, this test is not enough to provide a definite Bladder cancer occurs when there are abnormal, cancerous cells growing uncontrollably in the lining of the bladder, which is the hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. Mar 22, 2023 · Bladder cancer can cause a variety of symptoms, but the five warning signs to look out for are: blood in the urine, which occurs in more than 8 in 10 cases. Oct 13, 2020 · Either way, blood in the urine, known technically as hematuria, requires medical evaluation. The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine before it leaves your body. Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (TCC). Jul 10, 2020 · What does it mean to have cancer cells in your urine? Atypical. Mar 29, 2024 · The bladder is a hollow muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. Inflammation in your body triggers the release of leukocytes. Cancer cells may have a distinct look. The filters in the kidney prevent blood from entering the urine. The Paris System (TPS) authorities have proposed a standard reporting stem which includes specified diagnostic categories and cytomorphologic criteria May 4, 2024 · Cancer cells can keep living when healthy cells would die. Typical diagnostic ranges fall into either few, moderate, or many but can also be measured in number. Nov 5, 2021 · Urine is your body’s liquid waste (pee). A Blood in the urine is usually caused by benign (non-cancer) problems, like infections, but it also can be the first sign of bladder cancer. These can be found in the blood, urine, stool, tumors, or other tissues or bodily fluids of some patients with cancer. Blood in your pee could come from anywhere in the urinary tract – the bladder, kidneys or urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body). 2 days ago · 4. Additional tests are usually necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Health problems that can cause blood in the urine include an enlarged prostate, tumors that aren't cancer, and kidney stones and cysts. However, it is limited by its low sensitivity. yeast infection. Sep 27, 2023 · Initial symptoms of bladder cancer. Most bladder cancer is non-muscle invasive when it Oct 24, 2022 · Pyuria (pi-YER-ree-UH) is a condition in which you have high levels of white blood cells (leukocytes) or pus in your urine (pee). A cystoscope is slowly inserted through the urethra into the bladder to allow the doctor to see inside. Dec 6, 2023 · High levels of leukocytes in the urine typically indicate an infection in the urinary system. They are a normal component of the lining of the urethra and external genitalia. Overall, 271 of 1320 initial atypical urine specimens (21%) progressed to positive cytology or surgical pathology results with a mean time to progression of 155 days. Atypical cells can revert to normal if the underlying cause is removed or resolved. This is by far the most common type of bladder cancer. 5 is considered borderline proteinuria. If abnormal or cancerous cells are found with this test, your doctor will likely ask Jan 4, 2023 · Urine cytology: Healthcare providers examine your pee under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. There are various causes of hematuria, including: infection. presence in urine is abnormal, may indicate diabetes. Some of these include medications for pain and medications that thin the blood. Leukocytes are white blood cells that the body produces to combat infection. Your doctor may arrange for further tests to check for conditions such as: urinary tract infection. A cystoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. Pus is a thick, discolored (white, yellow, pink or green) fluid that your body makes to help fight off an infection. Antibiotics can also cause this problem. It usually involves three steps: Assessment of the color, cloudiness and concentration of the urine. Cancer in the kidney, bladder, or ureter may shed cancer cells into the urine. In many cases, microscopic hematuria is spotted when a person has a urine test during a health exam. Urine cytology allows for a non-invasive method for detecting malignant urothelial cells. Nov 3, 2017 · It’s normal to have one to five squamous epithelial cells per high power field (HPF) in your urine. How it is used: Urine cytology helps diagnose kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and rarer urothelial cancers. This is because it starts in cells called transitional cells. Most pancreatic cancer begins in the cells that line the A urinalysis (also known as a urine test) is a test that examines the visual, chemical and microscopic aspects of your urine (pee). Feb 15, 2009 · Many factors can make normal cells appear atypical, including inflammation and infection. immunotherapy, which boosts a person’s immune system to fight May 29, 2009 · Urologie in der Praxis (2019) Urine cytology is the most widely used noninvasive test to detect urothelial tumors. After cancer treatment, it is used to watch for signs that cancer has returned. In fact, most people with transitional cells in their urine do not have cancer. chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The Paris System (TPS) Working Group has proposed. Urethral cancer. However, the vast majority of people (4 out of 5) who have blood in their urine do not have cancer. In addition to these other conditions, cells growing uncontrollably in certain body parts — what we know as cancer — can cause blood in your urine. Dec 15, 2022 · A high white blood cell count usually means one of the following has increased the making of white blood cells: An infection. Certain foods (beets, berries, rhubarb) can give the urine a red, blood-like appearance The medical term for the symptom of blood in the urine is “hematuria. So the first step in understanding hematuria is to understand your anatomy. Cancer in your kidneys, bladder or ureter may shed cancer cells into your urine. May 12, 2024 · Urothelial bladder cancer develops when the genetic material (DNA) inside of the urothelial cells lining the bladder becomes abnormal. kidney disease. It has good sensitivity and specificity for the detection of high-grade tumours and CIS (median sensitivity 64%), but a low sensitivity for low-grade tumours (median sensitivity 12%). Urine cytology is a test to screen a patient’s urine for cancer cells. Cancer cells in the urine are usually detected when someone looks at these cells underneath a microscope and determines they are suspicious looking; as the urine travels from the kidney, ureter, and bladder Jan 31, 2023 · The normal range of squamous epithelial cells in urine is typically zero to five squamous epithelial cells per high-power field (HPF). Some cancers can cause blood in urine too. Feb 21, 2020 · Several urine biomarkers for the surveillance of patients with BC have been proposed, and some are even approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Learn about other bladder cancer signs and symptoms and explore treatment options. In case, cystoscopy and biopsy does not detect any cancerous growth in the bladder or kidneys, then there is absolutely no need to Jan 17, 2019 · Strenuous exercise. Nov 11, 2023 · Urine Test. In time, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. Examination of the chemical composition of the urine using a test strip. If abnormal or cancerous cells are found with this test, your doctor will likely ask Nov 27, 2023 · In urine cytology, the presence of benign urothelial and squamous cells, along with the absence of abnormal cells such as atypical or malignant cells, suggests a normal and healthy urinary tract. When symptoms do develop, they may include painful urination, blood in the urine, fatigue, and weight loss. medications. Ureteral cancer. While most of these are minor concerns, it’s important to get a definitive diagnosis quickly. Large amounts of blood in urine can be seen if the urine turns pink or red, but a urinalysis can find even small amounts. Examination of the urine under a microscope to look for bacteria, cells and parts of cells. About 1 in 5 adults with visible blood in their urine will be found to have bladder cancer. This is a symptom that often occurs in advanced cancer cases. White blood cell casts as indicative of pyelonephritis. If your urine looks murky or cloudy or if doctors detect too much urinary sediment or protein, it can indicate an infection. One or more of these tests may be used, often along with urine cytology, to help see if you have bladder cancer: UroVysion: This test looks for chromosome changes that are often seen in bladder cancer cells. Increasingly, however, genomic markers (such as tumor gene mutations, patterns of tumor gene . Different urine tests can be used to look for specific substances made by bladder cancer cells (known as tumor markers or biomarkers). When a person can see the blood in his or her urine, the condition is called gross hematuria. This is a symptom that often occurs in advanced cancer cases Mar 12, 2024 · Less common causes of blood in the urine may include: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): An enlarged and swollen prostate gland may cause bleeding in the urinary tract in people assigned males at birth. 6 Thus, negative cytology does not exclude the presence Jan 10, 2023 · Red or pink urine can be caused by: Blood. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. Cancer: Cancer of the prostate, kidney, or bladder may cause blood in the urine. burning when you pee. This indicates that some abnormalities were found in your urine sample cells, but they weren’t abnormal enough to be considered cancer. Medications. A healthcare provider called a pathologist looks at the cells from your urine sample under a microscope. But early diagnosis is a challenge. Culture is the medical term for growing microorganisms like bacteria and yeast in a laboratory setting. It consists of white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria. Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. Learn more about RBC in urine, and what results from a urine sample might mean, here. “Blood in urine is never normal,” says urologist Ahmed Aly Hussein Aly, MD, of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. burning when urinating, frequent, sudden, or urgent need to urinate (pee), difficulty urinating, or a weak urine stream. It is well recognised that high grade urothelial tumours, including carcinoma in situ, are more likely to shed abnormal cells into the urine. These conditions include: Bladder cancer. This test alone cannot diagnose cancer or inflammatory disease. Video Details. Ureters are part of the urinary tract, and they carry urine produced by the kidneys to the bladder. microscopic hematuria—when you cannot see the blood in your urine, but it can be seen under a microscope or is found using a urine test called a urinalysis. Muscle invasive bladder cancer means the cancer is in the muscle of the bladder. These include cancers of the kidney, bladder, ureter, and urethra. Low-stage bladder cancer is confined to the inner layers of the bladder and hasn’t grown to affect the muscular bladder wall. In a urine sample, the presence of an excessive number of squamous Aug 15, 2022 · If you have many epithelial cells in your urine, this may indicate that something in your urinary tract or kidneys is not working as usual. Mar 22, 2024 · Urine cytology is a laboratory test in which a sample of urine is checked under a microscope for abnormal cells. Kharasch, MD, PhD (left) and Jeremiah J. The test is used to diagnose cancers of the urinary tract. A problem with the liver or the bile ducts, which can affect the body's ability to produce and excrete bilirubin. What Abnormal Results Mean. In patients diagnosed with bladder cancer, the most common symptom is having a large enough amount of blood in the urine that is visible and easy to see. protein. albumin. The problem is the test does not tell you where the cells are from. Typically, a small number of squamous cells may be present in a urine sample. Nov 30, 2023 · When transitional cells are found in the urine, it does not necessarily mean that a person has bladder cancer. Granular casts as indicative of: Stasis of urine flow. It used to be called transitional cell cancer (TCC) of the kidney or ureter. There are many different types of cells in the body, each with a particular job to do. UTI Malignant cytomorphological characteristics of the exfoliated cells in urine or bladder washing can facilitate the diagnosis of bladder cancer. In other cases, it's the result of a specific treatment. Ureteral cancer is uncommon. It may be a sign of kidney damage, infection, kidney or bladder stones, kidney or bladder cancer, or blood disorders. Strenuous exercise is a cause of hematuria that is not serious. This causes there to be too many cells. It's the most common cancer of the oral cavity and also is Jan 17, 2023 · Urine cytology. 5 in dogs indicates that your dog has an abnormal amount of protein in their urine. Symptoms of urinary tract May 8, 2024 · Symptoms begin suddenly, get worse quickly, and may include. Abnormal cells in the urine may be a sign of inflammation of the urinary tract or cancer of the kidney, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Microscopic exam Jan 27, 2022 · Inflammation. liver disease. But do not self-diagnose. A lab adds growth-promoting substances to a urine sample. That is why they have to do all this testing. This is called “gross hematuria. 1,2 This test can reveal the presence of cancer cells or cells that are pre-cancerous, meaning that they are more likely to become cancer cells later. Even normal aging can make cells appear abnormal. The two types of hematuria are. presence is abnormal, may indicate kidney disease. This growth indicates an infection in your urinary system. The bladder. Mar 26, 2024 · Leukocytes (or white blood cells) are a part of the immune system that helps protect your body from infection. Healthcare providers often use urinalysis to screen for or monitor certain Urine cytology tests to detect cancer cells. Abnormal cells may also be seen if the person has had radiation therapy near the bladder, such as for prostate cancer, uterine cancer, or colon cancer. A urine cytology test may help diagnose the following types of cancer: Bladder cancer. Bladder cancer most often begins in the cells (urothelial cells) that line the inside of your bladder. "There's a common misconception that if you see blood in your urine once and then it Customer: i have had blood in my urine about a month ago it was all blood and off and on some blood they did a ct scan and said there was something in my bladder but not suer of what it is Doctor's Assistant: Have you seen a doctor about cancer? May 1, 2023 · Hemoglobin in your urine usually indicates your body is breaking down red blood cells too quickly. Lower back pain on one side. If bacteria or yeast (a fungus) are present, they start multiplying. Mark. Feb 13, 2024 · As the mucus moves through the urinary tract, it flushes out germs that may otherwise cause infection. ”. Squamous cell carcinoma is a form of cancer affecting the epithelium's squamous layers. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Urine cytology. Bladder or kidney stones. Blood. Epithelial cell casts as indicative of renal tubular damage. Family history of kidney disease. When you have hematuria, the filters in the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract (the kidneys, ureter, and bladder that work together to remove wastes) allow blood to leak into the urine. In some cases this happens spontaneously. Feb 27, 2023 · surgery to remove the person’s primary cancer and any affected lymph nodes. MediFind shares potential causes of high levels of leukocytes in urine below. Doctors may insert a ureteroscope (a long, narrow, flexible tube with a lens at the end) into the urethra and thread it upwards through the urinary tract to look for abnormalities; Biopsy. Solid masses that form from chemicals in the urine might scrape the lining of the bladder or kidney This test looks at a sample of your urine to see if it contains abnormal cells. While a positive urine cytology result does Male urinary system Enlarge image. Ureter cancer. Having a moderate number or many cells may indicate: a yeast or urinary tract infection (UTI Health Professional: Dr. In addition to blood in your urine, symptoms in about 20% of people with bladder cancer include: painful urination. Urine does not normally contain red blood cells. painful urination. A positive result indicates that cancer cells were found in your urine. Certain things make you more likely to have blood in your urine, including: Urinary tract infection. However, the presence of transitional cells can be a sign that further testing is needed to rule out bladder cancer. They are also seen in the middle layers of the skin. Using the test, a cytopathologist can screen for pre-cancer or cancer cells in urine. You have pyuria if you have 10 or more Jun 4, 2018 · Normal urine usually contains traces of invisible sediment or particles that can only show up in a urinalysis. Positive. If you have other symptoms, this might give you an idea of the cause. Hard exercise, such as long-distance running, also can cause this bleeding. Sorry for the delay, for some reason the computer did not alert me that you had replied to the question. TCC is slow growing and usually has no symptoms in the early stages. A urine culture can find an infection. Tumor markers have traditionally been proteins or other substances that are made at higher amounts by cancer cells than normal cells. Aug 3, 2022 · Cells that appear abnormal in your urine may also indicate inflammation in the urinary tract or cancer of the bladder, kidney, ureter, or urethra. Symptoms of bladder cancer include: Symptoms of advanced bladder cancer. Looking at urine through a microscope can find cells, parts of cells and bacteria or other germs. This spread is called metastasis. Loss of appetite and weight loss. Apr 24, 2018 · Hematuria is a common cause of sediment in your urine. Apr 11, 2023 · ketones. Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC) is a cancer that affects the inside lining (urothelium) of the kidney (the “collecting system” – where urine starts to drain after it is made by the kidney) and the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). Mucus in the urine is thin and fluid-like, and it can vary in quantity. The term itself simply means having blood in your urine. Nov 21, 2019 · There are promising studies that show that the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases, can be detected in the urine. These cancerous cells begin to affect the normal function of the bladder and can spread to surrounding organs. CT scan (CAT scan) uses a computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body from different angles. 1%) were diagnosed as atypical during the 11-year period. Being middle aged or older Unlike other forms of cytological assessment, such as breast cytology, urine cytology does not target an abnormal area but relies on neoplastic cells being shed in the urine. This can be caused by a number of different conditions. Blood in your urine requires additional testing. Hematuria means there is blood in your urine. bilirubin Oct 24, 2023 · UPC between 0. High levels of leukocytes in the urine can mean more serious medical conditions, like inflammation or infection, that require medical attention. frequent urination Oct 24, 2023 · Either nitrites or leukocyte esterase — a product of white blood cells — in your urine might indicate a urinary tract infection. Nov 27, 2023 · Squamous cells are flat, scale-like cells that can be found in various parts of the body, including the urinary tract. An increased number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the urine may mean there is an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract. Most of the time, the cause of hematuria is not serious and will quickly self-resolve. The presence of these red blood cells in your dog’s urine can be detected either visually or by using diagnostic testing. Feeling tired or weak. Ureteroscopy. gross hematuria—when you can see the blood in your urine. changes in urinary I am assuming his urologist gave him what is known as the FISH Test, which measures the presence of cancer cells in the urine. Suspicious. The underlying cause may include including blood disorders, infections, or medication side Urine cytology is a test to screen a patient’s urine for cancer cells. Certain medications are likely to cause white blood cells in the urine. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): A series of X-rays of your kidneys, ureter and bladder to check for cancer. Morrissey, PhD, have developed a noninvasive method to screen for kidney cancer by measuring the presence of proteins in the urine. These ratios can vary, and most veterinarians will repeat a UPC a few times over a few weeks to determine persistent proteinuria before moving on to more testing or treatment. A laboratory test will show three or more red blood cells (RBCs) per high-powered field under the microscope, which is the definition of microhematuria according to the American Urological Association. This is a warning sign of bladder cancer for all genders, and for non-muscle invasive (NMIBC) and invasive bladder cancer. Their assumption is, since he has had bladder cancer, the cells are from somewhere in the urinary tract Feb 3, 2023 · Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in America. Imaging tests used in cancer Dec 5, 2023 · Blood in the urine can signify a number of health problems. fever, chills, body aches, nausea, or vomiting. 1 This means that overall, approximately 60% of all bladder cancers will be missed by urine cytology. A problem with the production or breakdown of red blood cells. Specific causes of a high white blood cell count include: Mar 19, 2015 · When kidney cancer is diagnosed early — before it spreads — 80 percent of patients survive. The highest stage — stage 4 — is cancer that has spread to lymph nodes or organs in distant areas of the body. Even if bladder cancer spreads to the bones (or any other place), the cancer cells there are still bladder cancer cells. Urothelial cells also line the inside of other parts of the Apr 11, 2023 · Cancer of the bladder, kidney, or prostate can cause blood in the urine. If your urine looks foamy, it could be because your urine is hitting the toilet fast enough to stir up the water. The urine cells were abnormal and might be cancerous. Patients at a high risk of developing more advanced cancer may wish to undergo more aggressive therapy Jun 10, 2024 · Recent analyses indicate that urine cytology detects only around 50% of high-grade tumors and 10% of low-grade tumors, with an overall sensitivity for bladder cancer detection of approximately 40%. What it does: Urine cytology finds disease by looking for abnormal cells shed from the urinary tract into the urine. May 29, 2023 · Your doctor may order this test to check for cancer cells. Patients may notice that after urinating, the water in the toilet looks rust Jun 22, 2023 · This cancer occurs in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. This can cause the urine to appear cloudy, but it is not what most people think of as “blood in the urine. Oct 17, 2023 · Blood in Urine Risk Factors. Apr 23, 2024 · The technical term for blood in urine is hematuria. Oct 12, 2022 · Occasionally, a UTI can cause an increase of white blood cells in the urine, a condition known as pyuria. Smoking. In some cases, additional testing, such as urine cytology, may be performed. It may also occur due to toilet chemicals or health conditions, such as Jun 20, 2023 · The most common early sign of bladder cancer or kidney cancer is blood in the urine, usually without any other symptoms. Blood in the urine (hematuria) is the most common sign of bladder cancer. A bone marrow disease; An immune system issue. Mar 29, 2024 · Blood in the urine (hematuria) sometimes is a sign of bladder cancer. Now, Washington University School of Medicine researchers Evan D. A urine cytology test alone can't diagnose cancer. If you’re told you have bladder cancer, it's very likely to be a urothelial carcinoma. The cancer cells might form a mass called a tumor. rwncwusnexqctdmqbdnr