What should you know about cystoscopy and prostate cancer?

A flexible or rigid cystoscope passes through the urethra so the clinician can inspect the urethral channel and bladder lining. Prostate cancer itself is assessed using the full clinical picture, which may include examination, blood tests, imaging and tissue sampling; cystoscopy is not the main test that confirms prostate cancer.

It may be considered when there is blood in the urine, repeated urinary difficulty, suspected narrowing, or a need to check the bladder before or after a procedure. Difficulty passing urine can also have non-cancer causes, including prostate enlargement, infection or a blockage. Treatment choices may include surgery or radiotherapy, depending on the cancer and your circumstances.

Tell the urology team about urinary infection symptoms, allergies, blood-thinning medicines and previous procedures. Ask whether you need to change any medicine or arrange transport. Local anaesthetic gel is often used for a flexible examination; sedation or anaesthesia may be planned for other procedures. Mild burning, urgency or a little blood may follow. Keep fluids and activity within the limits given at discharge.

Seek prompt medical advice for fever, chills, increasing pelvic or urinary pain, heavy bleeding, clots, or inability to pass urine. After prostate-related treatment, a new or rapidly worsening change in urine flow deserves assessment even if the cystoscopy was uncomplicated.

Ask what symptom or finding prompted cystoscopy, whether a urine test is needed first, how your cancer treatment affects the plan, which medicines require special instructions, and how results will change next steps.