Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Presence Of Blood In Urine
Question: I had emailed a few days ago. I had a lot of blood in my urine, but it only happened one time. I was on a cruise and went to the ship doctor. He, at first, said it was an infection and gave me antibiotics. It never happened again. I followed up with my doctor when I returned. He ordered a CT scan and talked about the possibility of kidney cancer. I don't have any symptoms. I know cancer is a possibility, but could it be anything else? It is just that I don't have any symptoms and, of course, don't want it to be cancer. I am just wondering if there are any other possibilities. Like maybe a kidney stone, but there was no pain.
The doctor on the ship, when I went back for a follow up, seemed to think that, if I did have an infection, it didn't have anything to do with the blood in my urine. Same with my doctor at home. I guess I am just looking for any possibility other than cancer.
The doctor on the ship, when I went back for a follow up, seemed to think that, if I did have an infection, it didn't have anything to do with the blood in my urine. Same with my doctor at home. I guess I am just looking for any possibility other than cancer.
Brief Answer:
could have been the infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
I certainly hope it is not kidney cancer but I am glad you are getting the CT to make sure.
You are correct to think of kidney stones but you are also right that stones that cause bleeding usually cause pain. The pain and bleeding occur when the stones make small tears in the ureters as they pass from the kidney down into the bladder. It does not sound like that is what you had.
It is curious to me that neither doctor thought the blood may be from the infection. We actually see blood from infections quite frequently. What happens is that when there is infection in the bladder it inflames the walls of the bladder and there can be some blood in the urine along with the white blood cells that indicate infection. This is quite common and we usually just repeat the urine after the infection is treated to make sure there is no longer blood in the urine.
If you do not have continued blood in the urine it is probably not a cancer. Kidney and bladder cancer are both possible but I think the most likely cause is the infection.
I wish you the best,
Dr. Robinson
could have been the infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
I certainly hope it is not kidney cancer but I am glad you are getting the CT to make sure.
You are correct to think of kidney stones but you are also right that stones that cause bleeding usually cause pain. The pain and bleeding occur when the stones make small tears in the ureters as they pass from the kidney down into the bladder. It does not sound like that is what you had.
It is curious to me that neither doctor thought the blood may be from the infection. We actually see blood from infections quite frequently. What happens is that when there is infection in the bladder it inflames the walls of the bladder and there can be some blood in the urine along with the white blood cells that indicate infection. This is quite common and we usually just repeat the urine after the infection is treated to make sure there is no longer blood in the urine.
If you do not have continued blood in the urine it is probably not a cancer. Kidney and bladder cancer are both possible but I think the most likely cause is the infection.
I wish you the best,
Dr. Robinson
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
