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Concern about being outside the odds
I am searching for information about bladder cancer. I have always been the outside of the odds. I have recently had female problems that led me to a new gyno. In 2010, I had cysts on my ovaries that were removed and the surgeon failed during the surgery and poked holes in my small intestine which led to an additional surgery to fix that. Needless to say, as my new gyno puts it, it’s a mess in there. The current female problems led to two transvaginal ultrasounds (sorry if TMI) which gave light to more cysts on my ovaries and a suspicious mass on my left, at least it appeared to be on the left ovary. The CA-125 test concluded it is not ovarian cancer without a doubt. So the new gyno has suggested another ultrasound in 2 mos and if the mass is still there, then an MRI of my pelvic area. She also said, it doesn’t appear to be on the ovary now. I’ve had the cervix check, the uterine check, all clear and normal.
Here’s my dilemma: Can you have bladder cancer without the presence of blood in urine? I am one of the 3% of the population that presents kidney stones with protein in urine rather than blood. I have had in excess of 30 kidney stones, the majority blasted, but many passed. I had a 9mm stone stuck in my left ureter for many months as it went undiagnosed. I have near constant pelvic pain, mostly on my left side where the mass appeared. Has anyone else presented like this? Is there a test, like the CA-125 for bladder cancer? Is the urine strong and odd smelling with cancer? I’ve never smoked, but did work in a factory for two years with known carcinogens (my husband 44yr old has stage IV colon cancer, but that’s another story). I just want to find out why I hurt and make it stop. I have colonoscopies because colon cancer runs in my family and that’s clear.
If you’ve read this far, I applaud your curiosity. Any advice you have is greatly appreciated.
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7 Replies
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Is it in your bladder? I’m not reading anything that points to your bladder.
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system
My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
I just wanted to let you all know that I’ve had the 3rd of the transvag ultrasounds and the would be cyst has grown considerably. It’s now 6cm and my gyno is sending me to an oncologist who specializes in cases like mine with previous failed surgeries to recommend a hysterectomy. I will be happy to be rid of it, (haven’t had need of it for nearly 14 yrs), but I am not looking forward to the down time, I’m told could be upwards of 4 weeks. I will have them test the mass for colon cancer on the off chance of it being in that area and disguising itself and the prevalence of colon cancer running in my family badly. Thanks for your kind responses.
Is it possible that you have adhesions that are causing the pain? I know I have them and sometimes it’s quite painful wait, it’s VERY painful. From the previous surgeries it sounds as if that could be a possible cause of your pain. This is just a possibility. If you aren’t content with the first gyno’s opinions and suggestions move on to someone that you can work with. I agree 2 months of pain isn’t an option always. Wishing you the best with your journey.
sara.anne and CatherineH, thank you for the kind welcome and replies. I am going to see my primary on Friday and will mention to him the mass found in my pelvic area. Maybe he can recommend some other tests or the referral to the urologist. I’ve had a urologist before, but he was elderly then and I am not sure if he is still practicing. (I’ve not adhered to the anti kidney stone regimen like I should, nor kept in touch with him. :)) It was my primary goal the last two years to not even see a dr, let alone have surgery after what happened in 2010. Again, thank you for the kind welcome and I will let you all know what turns up.
jingles
Hello and welcome… I’m sorry you have had such a tough go of things and are still experiencing pain.
I would venture a guess that most people experience blood in the urine prior to their diagnosis of bc, but as with everything, there are no absolute rules so I would say it is possible to have it without blood in your urine. I really didn’t have any to speak of except a little bit on the toilet tissue a few times, but nothing that could be seen in my urine. But that certainly doesn’t mean that you have it.
The only way to really know is to make an appointment with a urologist. He/she can do a lab workup which can detect any atypical cells. The definitive answer would be to have a cystocopy which allows them to see inside your bladder with a camera. If you are still experiencing abominable pain, either a pelvic MRI or CT scan would show if there is anything external to the bladder that is problematic. I know they said 2 months and “maybe” an MRI, but that seems to be a long time to be in pain with no answers.
I hope you find relief from your pain soon. Again, welcome.
Best wishes… CatherineTURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Hello and welcome… I’m sorry you have had such a tough go of things and are still experiencing pain.
I would venture a guess that most people experience blood in the urine prior to their diagnosis of bc, but as with everything, there are no absolute rules so I would say it is possible to have it without blood in your urine. I really didn’t have any to speak of except a little bit on the toilet tissue a few times, but nothing that could be seen in my urine. But that certainly doesn’t mean that you have it.
The only way to really know is to make an appointment with a urologist. He/she can do a lab workup which can detect any atypical cells. The definitive answer would be to have a cystocopy which allows them to see inside your bladder with a camera. If you are still experiencing abominable pain, either a pelvic MRI or CT scan would show if there is anything external to the bladder that is problematic. I know they said 2 months and “maybe” an MRI, but that seems to be a long time to be in pain with no answers.
I hope you find relief from your pain soon. Again, welcome.
Best wishes… CatherineTURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN
You may have noticed that I moved your post from “New Users’ Information,” which is more about how to use the Forum, to “Newly Diagnosed” where more people will see your post. (I realize that you haven’t really been diagnosed, but…)
It is very possible to have bladder cancer without any blood in the urine. I had two kinds of bladder cancer and have never had any blood in the urine, microscopic or otherwise. There are urine tests that can indicate a possibility of bladder cancer, but they are not definitive. Usually there is not a large mass present, and probably not a strong odor. The usual symptoms (and often there are none) would be blood in the urine, and urgency and discomfort with urination.
A definitive diagnosis is usually made by a urologist. The usual test progression is to have a cystoscopy (where he looks into the bladder with a tiny camera) which is done in the office. Then, if there is a possibility of cancer, a biopsy is done under general anesthesia (a TURB or transurethral resection of the bladder.) The tissue samples are sent to a pathologist and only after the report comes back is there a complete diagnosis.
Your symptoms are not typical of bladder cancer, but everyone is different. Be sure that your doctor keeps after this until you DO get a good diagnosis of what the problem is. BTW, if you have read many of the threads on this Forum, there is no such thing as TMI!!!
Best of luck to you.
Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
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