Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Urinalysis: A test to check the colour and content of urine, including sugar, protein, and red and white blood cells.
Blood test: a blood sample is analysed to measure the amounts of certain chemicals that organs and tissues release into the blood. An unusually high or low amount can indicate disease.
NB: The results of blood and urine tests will help rule out other possible causes, such as infection or kidney stones.
Liver function test: a sample of blood is analysed to measure the enzymes that come from the liver – abnormal amounts can indicate that cancer has spread to the liver.
Ultrasound scan: ultrasound is high-energy sound waves, which are bounced off internal tissues and organs. The echoes they produce form a picture of your insides, called a sonogram.
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): a contrast dye is injected into a vein, and as it moves through the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, x-rays are taken to see if there are any blockages which can be signs of cancer.
CT or CAT scan (computerised tomography, or computerised axial tomography): a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body are taken from different angles and shown on a computer csreen. Again, a dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): another machine that, through a computer, makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure that uses a magnet and radio waves.
Cystoscopy: a light and camera at the end of a long, flexible tube is used to look inside your bladder and urinary system to check if blood in urine is coming from the bladder rather than the kidneys.
Biopsy : this is the removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. To do a biopsy for renal cell cancer, a thin needle is inserted into the tumor and a sample of tissue is withdrawn.