Bladder Cancer
How often is surveillance cystoscopy done?
What is the short answer?
It depends on your cancer's risk.
Many people start every three months, then space out to every six months and then yearly if things stay clear.
What else should I know?
Higher-risk cancers are checked more often.
When should I make an appointment?
Keep your schedule, and call us if you see blood in urine.
What happens at a visit?
Our two Gwinnett offices each include a surgery center: Snellville at 1557 Janmar Rd, Snellville, GA 30078 and Lawrenceville at 501 Crown Pointe Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Let us know which part of the county you call home, and we’ll take it from there.
How do our urologists approach this?
After bladder cancer treatment, regular checks are one of the most important parts of your care. Our Gwinnett urologists set a schedule based on your tumor’s risk and adjust it as time goes on and results stay clear. We use a thin camera through the urethra, and we keep each visit as comfortable as we can. We also explain what we’re looking for each time.
What happens at a visit?
Surveillance cystoscopy is done in the office. You’ll urinate first, we’ll numb the urethra with gel, and the look inside takes a short time. Bring a list of your medicines. We’ll tell you what we saw before you leave and when you’re due next.
How should I prepare?
Bring your medicine list and your last cystoscopy date. Note any blood or burning you’ve seen since your last check, so we can talk about it before the scope.
When should I call?
Please call if blood shows up in your urine between checks, if a scope leaves you with burning or fever, or if you need a new date. It’s important not to let checks slip.
What do patients often ask?
These are the questions we hear most, each with a short answer.
Will checks ever stop?
For many people, visits get further apart over time if things stay clear. Your schedule depends on your tumor’s risk.
Is there a video on this?
Dr. A. Dev Mally explains bladder cancer and its care in this short video.
- Watch: Dr. Mally on Bladder Cancer What the video covers: Dr. Mally talks about bladder cancer.
What should I read next?
Educational content; your own care plan comes from a visit. Back to the reading room