I will try to answer the question in your last paragraph here as to why they just don't "scrape it off" during cystoscopy. There are two reasons for doing a biopsy under anesthesia. First, of course, is that IF it is a small low grade polyp, it can be removed. But second, and very important, is that when the urologist removes it, he will try to take not only the polyp tissue but a good sample of the surrounding tissue. This will be sent to a pathologist who will carefully examine this under a microscope and determine if it IS cancerous, what type it might be (high grade, low grade). and if it has grown into the underlying muscle. This information will be of the greatest importance in determining the course of any further treatment.
It is not uncommon, and in fact some think it is very important, to repeat this procedure in a month or so to be sure that the biopsy got all the tissue and that the diagnosis is correct.
A word about nerves........I came home from my first biopsy "knowing what I was going to die of." Well, it didn't turn out that way
I did have a second biopsy, and the second one showed that I had CIS also, which is high grade and required BCG treatments. As I went through this, both my urologist and my internist suggested that I was "depressed" and that I should consider treatment for this. I declined...don't I have the RIGHT to be upset with such a diagnosis?
Now, three years later, I am doing great. Got through the BCG treatments with minimal issues, and have my three-year checkup next week.
Best of luck to you....as you see there are a lot of use here who have been where you are and made it through.
Sara Anne
