Worried - blood and leukocytes in urine.

[creditdraper]

My GP referred me to the hospital for a cytoscopy because there was intermittent microhematuria and a couple of white blood cells in my urine.
He said I could have either bladder cancer or kidney cancer. That was in Dec 2023. I still hadn’t received a letter for a hospital appointment so I looked up the waiting times for a routine referral to Urology which was what I had and it was 50 weeks!! Nearly a year! Surely time is of the essence in catching it before it gets worse? I have been so so worried as I have spent last year looking after my husband who had oesophageal and stomach cancer (chemo and surgery). Luckily, he is now cancer free although his life is somewhat changed but he was seen and dealt with very quickly. I don’t think I can afford to go private. I am so scared.

If he thought you could have cancer he should have referred you on the two week rule. I’d be ringing the surgery to find out what the referral was.
Did they give you any antibiotics?

Have they ruled out an infection? Be sure blood and leukocytes indicate infection.

If your GP suspects cancer he should have /would have referred you under the 2 week wait.

I think you should talk to your GP practice for some clarity OP. You don't have to worry like this x

ring the GP, raise merry hell and insist on speaking to the senior partner or practice manager. If cancer is suspected you should be on a two week pathway

@DustyLee123 @Houseplanter
He did bloods and all fine there. Tested for UTI twice and no sign of infection either. He said I should get a letter in 2 weeks but nothing so far. I saw another gp at the surgery to clarify and she said I was on the waiting list and that it was a routine referral not an urgent one.
Im thinking just pay to have it done privately but if they find anything untoward I would have to do the rest of the treatment through the NHS and would I still be left waiting? 🤦‍♀️

You need the practise to chase up the referral OP

@theduchessofspork I know - I’m thinking why routinely refer me after telling me it could be cancer. It might also not be.

OP I’m on the waiting list for the same reason. Again a routine appointment, not urgent so likely to be a long wait.

How old are you? NICE guidelines are only to refer on 2WW if over 60 for microscopic haematuria. Bladder cancer is very rare in younger people apparently. Though like you I’d much rather have the reassurance sooner, there doesn’t seem to be much to do but wait.

@MegBusset I am 69.

@creditdraper then you should definitely be seen under the 2WW: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/urological-cancers-recognition-referral/

Would call the GP, quote the guidelines and push them to do an urgent referral.

Sorry you’re going through this and sending good vibes that it turns out to be nothing to worry about.

@MegBusset Thank you, Would the same thing apply in Scotland? I’m not sure. Will have to check it out. Am going to make gp appointment on Monday.

Op I went through this a few years ago. Is it microscopic blood in your urine?

I didn't wait and ended up paying to see a private urologist who basically laughed me out of his office but he did refer me for a cystoscopy and kidney/bladder scan in his NHS clinic to rule anything out. It was much quicker. I've turned out to be nothing untoward. The urologist who did my cystoscopy said it's very common for micro blood in urine just to be one of those things and nothing to worry about. Lots of people just have it. I still have it but don't worry about it anymore.

Often its nothing
My OH had it a few times over several year span, tests, cam test, nothing then a few years later, small bladder cancer, sorted out there and then and all good since, that was years ago, had a few more bloods in urine but all clealr

As others have said, its often nothing

go private and here in England you can go nhs after if required

if gp was that concerned i a bit confused why not the 2 week rotue

good luck

Thanks everyone for replies. I consulted my GP again and she said I should have had a letter and she contacted the hospital. I was telephoned straight away and have an appointment to have it done soon.