Please explain in Plain english

[stac7_8]

I have a question???? Ok this doc wants to do a Biop of my bladder. Now my question is what is this going to tell him.

I had the PST test done already so truly what else is this going to show or tell them.

How would it change my treatments??

[tigger_gal]

going in for a hydro will tell you exactly how much your bladder can hold, then they can see the clasic signs of IC, the biopsy the check for cancer, EC and what everelse that is bladder related. I think it is the most accurate test there is to determine IC.

[ihurttoo]

The cysto/hydro does all those things mentioned by Tigger Gal. They really get alot of information from them. Also, lots of ICers go into remission for months after they have a cysto/hydro. You never know, you could be one of the lucky ones that goes into a remission after yours! I hope so, and hope it goes well for you.

Hugs,
Amy

[ICNDonna]

Another thing the biopsy will reveal is mast cells, which are common with IC. I think the biggest things are ruling out cancer and EC.

Donna

[stac7_8]

thanks for all ur support and the answers!!!

[ICLori]

Yup, everyone is right! With me, the big thing was ruling out cancer because I had these polyp things right at the neck of my bladder. There was no way to tell without biopsy if it was cancer or not. Turns out it wasn't cancer. But a lot of times you get these inflammatory changes inside the bladder, and you can't tell until you biopsy (it's not even really like a biopsy the way we think of it, they just take the smallest scraping off, it's not like they take a big chunk - it's more like a pap smear than anything, I think...) and the lab looks at it. This way they just make certain that it's not cancer, which kind of gives peace of mind to everyone. I know that's kind of silly, maybe, cancer almost never happens to young women - bladder cancer I mean - but it's nice to know for 100% certain.

Plus, in my case, they diagnosed me with cystitis cystica, which I still don't know what that is, but there it is in my records, from the biopsies. I'll have to ask some doctor sometime what that means.

Blessings,
Lori

[jen74]

I have bladder polyps at the bladder neck also that were found during a regular cystoscopy, but my urogyne said he did not need to biopsy them as they are not cancer. He said cancer looks totally different, and that polyps are basically a sign of inflammation. Also, you do not have to have a hydro in order to have a biopsy. They can do it during a regular cystoscopy I believe.
Jen

[jen74]

Hi Lori.
I actually looked up cystitis cystica. It is the appearence of the bladder wall caused by inward growth of the bladder wall layers. It is found in 60% of normal bladders. Chronic infections usually lead to this condition.
That is what I came up with when I googled on this disorder. Just thought I would share.
Jen