Screening

There is currently no standard screening test for bladder cancer. Many times, these tests may be ordered based on a patient’s symptoms. Some of these tests are done routinely for those who have bladder cancer to determine if there is a recurrence.

Hematuria test: Used to check for blood in the urine by looking at it under a microscope or using a special test strip.

Other lab tests:

• Alkaline Phosphatase
• Urinalysis
• BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

Urine cytology: A lab test in which a sample of urine is checked under a microscope for abnormal cells.

Urine tumor marker tests: Tumor markers are substances that are found in the bladder that may indicate the presence of cancer. For these tests, a sample of urine is checked in the lab to detect the presence of these substances. Urine tumor marker tests may also be used to help diagnose some specific types of bladder cancer.

Updated: April 22, 2025