Download Urology Diagnostic Clinic Urology Department Surgery Directorate

Urology Department
Surgery Directorate
Longton Urology Centre
Level 3
Chorley and South Ribble
District General Hospital
This is an information leaflet which tells you what will happen
when you attend the Urology Diagnostic Clinic at Lancashire
Teaching Hospitals
Urology Diagnostic Clinic
Information for patients
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Your GP has assessed you and decided that you need referral to a
urology diagnostic clinic. This is so that your symptoms relating to
your urinary system can be further investigated.
Your GP has asked for you to have an urgent hospital appointment
within two weeks. The two week appointment system was
introduced so that patients with symptoms which could be caused
by a serious problem, possibly even a cancer, will be seen by a
specialist as quickly as possible.
Why has my GP done this now?
GPs can diagnose and treat many problems themselves. However,
on occasions they may need to arrange for you to see a specialist.
This may be because:
• Your GP feels the symptoms you described need further
investigation;
• The treatment your GP recommended has not been effective;
• The results of the investigations your GP arranged appear
abnormal.
What is a urology diagnostic clinic?
This clinic aims to cut down on the number of times you need to
attend the hospital and speed up the time it takes to diagnose your
condition.
What can I expect in the clinic?
Depending on your particular symptoms, you will need to undergo a
number of tests. We have marked the tests we think it is likely that
you will need to undergo. Appointments can last up to six hours
depending on the number of tests you need.
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We have marked whether you are undergoing prostate or
haematuria tests.
Prostate tests
You may need some or all of these tests:
Urine You may need to have a further urine test. Please come to
clinic with a comfortably full bladder.
DRE Is a digital rectal examination. An examination in which a doctor inserts their lubricated, gloved, finger into the rectum
to feel for abnormalities.
TRUS Biopsy
A trans-rectal ultrasound biopsy is a prostate biopsy where
small samples of tissue are taken from your prostate gland,
using an ultrasound device to help locate it. A local
anaesthetic is injected around the prostate to minimise the
discomfort during this procedure. We have also included
another leaflet specifically about this test for further
information.
Bloods
It may be necessary to take some blood when you attend the
clinic.
Haematuria (blood in your urine) tests
You may need some or all of these tests:
Urine You may need to have a further urine test. Please come to
clinic with a comfortably full bladder.
USS An ultrasound scan is a painless test that uses sound waves
to create images of organs and structures inside your body.
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Flexible Cystoscopy
A flexible cystoscopy is a procedure that looks at the bladder
and other parts of the urinary system. It involves inserting
a tube into the urethra and then passing it through to the
bladder. A local anaesthetic gel is used to numb the urethra
before the procedure. We have also included another leaflet
specifically about this test for further information.
Bloods
It may be necessary to take some blood when you attend the
clinic.
CT
You may also receive an appointment for a CT scan.
The CT scanner creates computerised, three dimensional, pictures
that allow your doctor to see the whole urinary tract clearly.
You may be asked to attend for either:
CT urogram
For a CT urogram you have an injection of a dye into a
vein. Then a CT scanner takes a series of X-rays to give a
detailed picture of the kidneys, ureters and bladder.
CT TAP
A CT TAP is a CT scan of your thorax (chest), abdomen and
pelvis.
What will I need to bring to clinic?
Please bring anything to clinic that will help us understand your
problem better, for example: a list of current medications including
those prescribed by your GP, medicines you have bought yourself or
alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies.
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If you have them, please also bring a dressing gown and slippers.
Do I need to bring anyone with me?
You don’t have to bring anyone with you to clinic but most people
find that it is useful to bring someone with them.
What happens next?
You will be given full details of the next steps before you leave the
diagnostic clinic but possible outcomes include:
• If your results are normal you will either be told at the clinic or by
letter shortly afterwards, and discharged back to the care of your
GP.
• You may be called back to a results clinic so that you can
discuss your treatment options with the clinical team and decide
how you would like to proceed.
• You may be asked to return for further tests, for example, a CT
or ultrasound scan.
• Your results may be discussed at a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)
meeting. This is a meeting held weekly when the whole team
involved in your care will review your results and decide what
treatment options to offer you.
Contact Details
If you require any more information please contact your GP.
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Sources of further information
www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
www.patient.co.uk
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is not
responsible for the content of external internet sites.
stration • R
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Illu
M.I.
Department: Urology
Directorate: Surgery
Production date: June 2013
Review date: June 2015
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by Medical
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2013
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