This is a diary of events surrounding the discovery that I have haematuria, blood in the pee, first noted sometime towards the end of February, 2008. (See Archive)

Initially, having undergone all 'standard' non-invasive procedures, bladder cancer was not be ruled out as I did not submit to a cystoscopy examination.

My efforts since have largely been on discovering any bladder anomalies and minimising the symptoms. A cytology examination that discovered a small group of epithelial cells in a urine test is the now the focal point. The results were described as highly suspicious of 'Transitional Cell Carcinoma'

Bladder Cancer Symptoms

Bladder cancer often causes no symptoms until it reaches an advanced state that is difficult to cure.

The most common symptoms of bladder cancer include the following:

• Blood in the urine (haematuria)
• Pain or burning during urination without evidence of urinary tract infection
• Change in bladder habits, such as having to urinate more often or feeling the strong urge to urinate without producing much urine

These symptoms are non-specific. This means that these symptoms are also linked with many other conditions that have nothing to do with cancer.

Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have bladder cancer.

People who can see blood in their urine, especially older males who smoke, are considered to have a high likelihood of bladder cancer until proven otherwise. Other high risks are working in environments that contains high levels hydrocarbons gases; e.g. petroleum, paint, cleaning and perfume vapours

• Blood in the urine is usually the first warning sign of bladder cancer.
• Unfortunately, the blood is often invisible to the eye. This is called microscopic haematuria, but is detectable with a simple urine test stick.
• In some cases, enough blood is in the urine to noticeably change the urine colour. The urine may have a slightly pink or orange hue, or it may be bright red with or without clots.

emedicinehealth.com

From: cancerbackup.org.uk

" Transitional cell carcinoma is the commonest type of bladder cancer.

Doctors describe cancers according to where in the body they occur and what type of cells they have started from. Most cancers of the bladder start from the lining tissue inside the bladder. The lining of the bladder and other parts of the urinary system are made up of transitional cells. These cells aren't normally found anywhere else in the body.

Although transitional cell carcinoma most commonly affects the bladder, occasionally it may start in the ureter, the tube joining the kidney to the bladder, or the part of the kidney that is closest to the ureter. "