Cystoscopy is a minimally-invasive investigation to examine and take biopsies from the lining of the bladder.
Need answers quickly?
Our Rapid Diagnostics Centre offers fast access to advanced imaging, specialist clinics and on-site testing - helping you get clarity in days, not weeks. Plus, our 24/7 private GP service is here whenever you need urgent advice.
Our charitable purpose
As a charitable hospital, we reinvest in exceptional care, research and innovation - helping us improve healthcare for patients here and far beyond our walls.
Everything you need for your visit
Your Patient Hub brings together everything you need to prepare for your visit, understand your care and know what to expect throughout your stay.
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Get seen and treated within 14 days
What is it for?
Diagnose bladder problems, take samples, and treat small polyps or stones
On this page
Treatment overview
The London Clinic’s urology consultants perform cystoscopy in the state-of-the-art endoscopy suite, using the latest equipment and technology.
The procedure is short, safe, and effective, lasting around five minutes. Men have the procedure in an outpatient setting, with a local anaesthetic.
The urologists are assisted by an expert multidisciplinary team that will support you from your first consultation, during your procedure, and throughout your recovery.
In a flexible cystoscopy, your consultant will use a flexible telepscope to check for problems in your bladder.
Treatment options
Ultrasound scans and urodynamic tests can help investigate and diagnose some bladder problems. However, cystoscopy is a critical investigation, allowing the consultant to directly inspect the bladder and take biopsies for analysis.
A rigid cystoscopy is a more extensive investigation requiring a general or spinal anaesthetic.
It allows your surgeon to treat more extensive problems with your bladder and urinary tubes, including larger polyps and cancers.
The experienced urologists at The London Clinic can provide expert assessment, investigation, and advice if you are worried about pain, bleeding, and other problems with passing water.
Cystoscopy consultation at The London Clinic
Our world-leading urologists will assess and advise you in The London Clinic’s comfortable, private, and well-equipped consulting rooms.
They will take a detailed medical history, examine your abdomen, pelvis and prostate gland, and ask about the impact your urinary symptoms have on your health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Your consultant may arrange tests and investigations in the cutting-edge imaging suite. These may include:
- Blood tests to check for anaemia, inflammation and kidney function
- Prostate-Specific Antigen to screen for prostate cancer
- Ultrasound
- Urinalysis
- Urodynamic studies
In consultation with you, your urologist will then plan your cystoscopy, explain what will happen during the procedure, and advise you about any preparation needed.
They will take the time to answer all your questions and address your concerns.
Flexible cystoscopy at The London Clinic
The urologists at The London Clinic perform flexible cystoscopy as an outpatient procedure, with or without local anaesthetic. The procedure is of short duration, generally lasting less than 10 minutes.
Your consultant will squeeze some local anaesthetic jelly into your penis to lubricate, prevent infection, and reduce discomfort.
They will then insert the narrow flexible cystoscope into your urethra and thread it into your bladder. They will pass water into the bladder to ensure a clearer view.
The digital camera relays high-quality images of the bladder to a monitor. The specialist can then use specially-designed fine instruments to take biopsies, excise small growths and polyps, and remove stones.
FAQs
Flexible cystoscopy is a commonly performed investigation to examine the inside of your bladder. It is a minimally-invasive procedure; you will not have any cuts or scars following your cystoscopy.Your urologist inserts a fine telescope, with a light and a digital camera, into your bladder through your penis. The camera relays images to a screen, allowing your consultant to see the inside of your bladder.The expert urologists at The London Clinic are highly-skilled in cystoscopy. As well as taking samples for analysis, they can also excise small polyps and remove bladder stones through the flexible cystoscope.
After the procedure, the expert team will support you as you recover. You will be able to go home on the day of your cystoscopy, as soon as you have passed urine.Your team will let you know the findings of the investigation and provide individual guidance on aftercare. They will also arrange follow-up for any treatment needed and to get the results of any biopsies.You should be able to return to work and normal activities the next day. The team will always be on hand if you have any problems or worries.
A flexible cystoscopy is an important investigation for men with urinary problems. The urologists use cystoscopy to investigate:
- Pain and discomfort passing urine
- Blood in the urine
- Repeated urine infections
- Irritable bladderÂ
The expert urologists at The London Clinic can also treat conditions through the flexible cystoscope:
- Removal of small polyps
- Removal of small bladder stones
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
Top-rated by real patients
4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.