Hematuria/Blood in the Urine
Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. Blood in the urine can be sign of underlying problems involving the genitourinary tract. Causes of blood in the urine include:
- Vigorous exercise or sexual activity
- Chronic kidney disease
- Kidney or bladder stones
- Infection or inflammation of the genitourinary tract
- Enlarged prostate
- Cancers of the urinary tract
Patients with hematuria are recommended to have a through evaluation of the urinary tract. This involves blood testing to check overall kidney function. In patients with chronic kidney disease, red blod cells can spill over from blood vessels into the kidney filtration system. Imaging (CT Scan) is also performed to evaluate the kidney and the kidney’s drainage tubes (ureters) for stones, scarring, and tumors. And finally endoscopic evaluation (cystoscopy, usually performed in the office) is performed to evaluate the bladder and urethra.
Cystoscopy – Patient’s suspected of having bladder cancer undergo a procedure known as cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is an office-based procedure in which a soft flexible telescope is passed down the urethra and into the bladder. If a tumor is found, then the tumor will need to be removed so that it can be examined under a microscope.
