Hematuria at the end of urinating

[Ghostini]

I am a 40 yo male presenting with intermittent gross hematuria and blood clots at the end of urination.

I read a few articles in which doctors say if the blood is at the end of urination, it is the sign of a bladder cancer.

I am trying to accept it, yes, already. Fortunately I will have an appointment for a CT scan soon.

[Nightingale]

Hi Ghostini,

Thank you for posting in the Forum.  Are you booked for a Cystoscopy as well?  If not I would suggest you speak with your doctor about that.  This way you can more confidently determine if you have BC.

Keep us posted.

My Best,

[Ghostini]

Yes, my appointment is next Thursday.

[marysue]

Hi Ghostini:

Yes, blood in the urine is one of the most common symptoms of bladder cancer.  It was for me. When I was preparing for my first cystoscopy exam to confirm what was going on in my bladder, a saying of my mother’s came to mind – “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  You usually land somewhere in between.”  In my case I did.  It was non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.  Not great that it was a cancer diagnosis but still the good thing was that it was early stage and treatable.

There are other reasons for blood in the urine like kidney or bladder stones, infection etc.  When I asked my family doctor about what the blood in my urine could be and I did ask if it could be cancer somewhere in my urinary tract he told me, “That is the first thing that we rule out.”  He sent me for x-rays and ultrasound which showed several tumours in my bladder. The results were faxed to my doctor before I even got home from the x-ray clinic. When he saw those results he sent me to a urologist right away.  After a quick meet and greet, my uro got me booked for a cystoscopy to confirm the x-ray/ultrasound findings. The cysto showed the tumours in full living colour and my journey began from there. My family doctor’s approach was the opposite of many other doctors.  He took action to rule out the most serious scenario first because he said if it was suspicious for cancer the faster we acted on it, the better outcome I would have.  I credit that quick action to the reason that I still have my bladder.  He did say that once cancer was ruled out then we’d look at othe causes which would have been far less serious.

I’m glad to learn that you have the upcoming tests to confirm for sure if it is bladder cancer. The cystoscopy exam will let you and the urologist see inside your bladder and IF there is anything going on like bladder tumours you will see them in full living colour like I did on the monitor and your uro will let you know the next steps which will most likely be a scope surgery called a TURBT (Trans Urethral Resection of Bladder Tumour).  The urologist uses a special scope similar to the cystoscope that will cut out the tumours. That surgery is usually done under general anesthesia and once the tumours are removed they are sent to pathology for analysis.  The pathology report will give information on the type of bladder cancer, grade – meaning how aggressive it is and the stage – how far it has spread. The CT scan will give a full view of the bladder and surrounding organs to check for potential cancer spread outside the bladder and confirm if there is a possibility that the cancer (if present) has gone into the muscle wall of the bladder.  Next steps post op will depend on the pathology results.

Of course, if the best scenario happens and there is nothing that appears cancerous in your bladder, then it will be important to find out what else it could be.  Blood in the urine should never be ignored.  Wishing you all the best for your upcoming tests.  Please let us know how it goes and don’t hesitate to ask questions.  If you do end up doing the bladder cancer journey, it is a learning curve all on its own.  No question is a dumb question.  We are here to help.  (((HUGS)))

[Ghostini]

Thanks for all your informations!

I am scared of having an aggressive cancer spreading outside the bladder or losing my bladder, I have trouble thinking clearly.

[marysue]

Hi Ghostini:

Being scared is normal.  We at BCC totally understand that.  I have always felt that the beginning of this journey is the hardest because you don’t know yet exactly what the future will hold.  We have a tendency to think the worst case scenario.  The bladder cancer journey is often referred to as “the roller coaster of emotions.” I too, went through a bit of a freak out in the beginning.  It is the shock of the possibility of or confirmation of a cancer diagnosis that puts your brain is a type of freeze mode.

I can assure you that as time goes on your thinking will clear some and you will adjust.  In the meantime while you are waiting for tests, I strongly suggest keeping busy with activities that you love to do to pass the time while waiting for the tests and results and try to find things to do that will calm your mind. That looks different for many of us.  I personally dive into my gardening in the summer/reading in the winter.  I lose myself in good novels for a couple of hours which lifts me out of reality for a bit.  Some people meditate. I have found simple yoga routines and walking help too.

Just a note to hopefully give you a bit of a lift – the majority of people (75-80%) are diagnosed with what I had – non-muscle invasive bladder cancer which means early stage and non-life threatening at that point. Sending you best wishes and positive thoughts that this will be the case for you.   ((((HUGS))))

[Nightingale]

Hi Ghostini,

I should have mentioned to you that I am a 13 year survivor and cancer free (touch wood).  My cancer was discovered when I took part in a 5K race and at the finish line had a tremendous urge to pee.  I was lucky to have made it to the restroom, because when I urinated, it was just a steady stream of blood – a dark deep red!

I immediately contacted my doctor and was booked for a cystoscopy.  When I received my results a couple of weeks later, I was told I had low grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.  BUT!…because it was caught so early, I had a very good chance of defeating it.

As MarySue indicated, it’s normal to be scared, but take solace in knowing that there are many survivors of bladder cancer, including those who have had to have their bladder removed.

My advice to you is to (do your best) to have a positive outlook and do all you can to help your body.  Talk to your doctor and your urologist and ask them steps you can take to do that.  I personally started eating more healthy foods and continued to exercise regularly.

Sending you positive thoughts and wishing you a successful checkup.

My best,

 

[Ghostini]

It’s been a while I have hematuria. I waited a lot before I went to see a doctor. I was deeply stupid and irresponsible! I was hoping the problem would solve itself naturally, “magically.” I am now hoping it is not too late. That the cancer (which I probably have) can still be treated successfully. I suppose most people don’t wait when much they see red… Today again there was blood at the end of urination.

I visualize the moment the doctor will tell me my diagnosis. I hope I will be calm and won’t have a breakdown…

[Nightingale]

Hi Ghostini,

Try not to worry, and yes its easier said than done.  I can tell you that one of the people on my Support Group Meeting that is taking place tomorrow via Zoom and in-person waited 2 years before getting checked.  He has been cancer free after the initial rounds of treatment.  He now is on a maintenance schedule and is very very thankful that the Cancer did not get worse.

So…you never know!

My best,

BTW, if you want to attend via Zoom the my Support Meeting, let me know and I’ll email you the link.

[marysue]

Hi Ghostini:

You’re not the first person that has told me that.  In fact a lot of people think like what you have – the bleeding was intermittent so they thought the problem had corrected itself.  No, it was not the best decision to not get it checked out earlier but as you mentioned you do have the appointments in place now.  Please try to take heart in what Nightingale has said.  There is the possibility that any potential tumour(s) are low grade.  The best diagnosis that a bladder cancer patient can hear outside of “all clear” meaning no cancer is “low grade, non-muscle invasive” which means early stage and non aggressive.  If this were to be your case it would be good news because low grade tumours rarely become muscle invasive.  Hang in.  Easier said than done we know because we have been there, done that.  ((((HUGS))))

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