Overview
Cervical cancer staging with a cystoscopy
After we find a cancer, it's important to know what areas of the body are affected. This is called staging.
Staging is important because it helps the doctors to decide which treatments are likely to work best for you.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer in the lower part of the womb. When this cancer starts to spread, it is most likely to affect the parts of the body close to where the cancer has started. So, for cancer of the cervix, it is important to check the bladder, bowel, vagina and the womb for any signs of cancer.
We will examine you while you are under general anaesthetic using a fine tube with a camera on the end. This procedure is called examination under anaesthetic (EUA) and cystoscopy.
A cystoscopy
A cystoscopy is when a fine tube with a light and a camera (cystoscope) is inserted into the urethra. This is the tube that drains pee from your bladder away from the body.
When the camera is in place, your bladder will be filled with liquid or gas. This:
- gives your doctor a better view of the bladder lining
- makes it easier to spot anything unusual
If the doctor sees anything unusual, they might take biopsies (samples) to send to the laboratory. Your doctor will talk to you about this before the procedure.
Sometimes, we may also want to look inside your womb during the examination. We would then use an instrument like the cystoscope called a hysteroscope. If this is necessary, your doctor will talk to you.
You can read more information about having a hysteroscopy.
Risks
Most types of surgery have some risks. These risks can increase when the person also has a general anaesthetic but most people do not have any problems. You can talk to the team looking after you if you have questions about any of these risks.
Bruising and swelling
You may have some bruising and swelling around the urethra, which are caused by the cystoscope being inserted. This issue should resolve after a few days. If it does not, please contact us or a GP. You may temporarily need a catheter (narrow tube) placed in your bladder to help drain pee until the bruising and swelling improve.
Damage to the bladder
It is possible to damage the bladder with the cystoscope or when taking a biopsy. This can lead to bleeding and infection, which may need treatment with medicines or surgery.
Bleeding when you pee
You may have a small amount of bleeding, which is caused by:
- the cystoscope being passed up the urethra
- any biopsies taken
Some people do not have any bleeding at all, but others find that their pee is slightly pink for a few days after this procedure.
It can help to drink plenty of water (about 3 litres in 24 hours). If your pee is still pink after a few days, contact a GP.
Bleeding from the vagina
Do not use internal contraceptives or tampons. Instead, you can use a sanitary towel (pad) after the procedure.
You might notice some small blood spots on your sanitary pad or panty liner for a few days after the procedure. This is normal.
If you had a biopsy taken, you may find that this bleeding does not stop after a few days or becomes heavier. If this happens, please contact your doctor.
Sometimes, an infection can cause bleeding that continues for a long time and antibiotics may help. In a small number of cases, the bleeding may be related to the cancer.
Infection
Tell your doctor if you notice any symptoms of infection. These may include:
- redness (which may be harder to notice on brown and black skin), swelling or heat around the area
- discomfort when peeing
- a new vaginal discharge, which smells strongly and is green or yellow
You may need to be treated with antibiotics.
The specific risks are as follows:
- Urine infection. There is a risk that you will get a urine infection after your cystoscopy. This could cause a high temperature (fever) and pain when you pee. You need to drink plenty of water to reduce the likelihood of this.
- Chest infection. Sometimes, people get a chest infection as a result of having a general anaesthetic. You need to tell your doctor if you get a cough with yellow or green coloured spit.
Before the procedure
Before this procedure, we will arrange for you to have an MRI scan. Doctors can then look at pictures of the inside of your body. This will help with their assessment of cancer by EUA and cystoscopy.
As you are having a general anaesthetic, you will need to have an appointment with our pre-assessment nurses. You can read more about having a pre-assessment.
You will need a responsible adult to come with you for the appointment or be available by phone when you are ready to leave.
If you do not have an escort, or have not arranged to be collected by someone, your procedure will have to be cancelled.
If you cannot arrange this, please call us on 020 7188 4222 and speak to one of the pre-assessment nurses. We can then help to make other arrangements.
At your appointment, we ask you to remove all your clothes and change into a hospital theatre gown.
You are welcome to bring your own slippers and dressing gown to wear over the theatre gown.
A nurse will ask you some questions about your medical history and then take your blood pressure. This is to make sure that you are properly prepared for the procedure.
An anaesthetist (specialist anaesthetic doctor) will talk to you before the procedure. The anaesthetist puts a thin plastic tube (cannula) into a vein in your arm, often in the back of the hand. We inject medicine through the cannula, and you will quickly go to sleep.
You can read more about having an anaesthetic.
During the procedure
While you are asleep, your doctor uses a speculum (the same as the instrument used to do a cervical screen) to see your cervix clearly.
Using sterile gloves, the doctor examines your cervix with a finger for any abnormal areas. This help them to decide where the cancer is and how big it is.
The doctor also feels for any abnormal areas behind the cervix by putting a finger into your bottom (rectum).
We may give you an antibiotic to lower the risk of urinary infection.
After the procedure
The procedure usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. When the doctor has finished the examination, the camera is gently removed.
We take you to the recovery unit, where you stay until you wake up. You may have an urge to pee when you wake up but find this difficult because your bladder is emptied at the end of the procedure.
Before you leave hospital, your doctor will prescribe pain medicine if you need it.
Leaving hospital
You must have someone to escort you home and stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure. If someone is at home to care for you, this will give you time to recover from the anaesthetic. They can help you if you have any problems after the procedure.
You might feel light-headed and tired. It is important to get plenty of rest for the remainder of the day and the following day. The anaesthetic will take 24 to 48 hours to wear off fully, but you do not need to stay in bed for this time. Gently moving around will help.
You may get a stinging feeling or have difficulty peeing for the first day or two. You need to drink extra fluids for the first 24 hours to help improve this. If the pain is severe and lasts for more than couple of days, please contact a GP.
You may need to wear sanitary pads or panty liners for a couple of days. They will protect your clothes from the small amount of bleeding that you may have.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is best not to have sex until any swelling or bleeding has cleared.
Medicines
We might prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection, if needed.
If you have antibiotics, it is important that you complete the whole course. Do not drink alcohol until you have finished the antibiotics and your symptoms have completely cleared.
Results
You should be given a follow-up appointment, usually within 2 weeks. The aim is to talk about the findings and your cancer treatment plan.
Contact your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) if you have not received an appointment within a week of your procedure.
Problems or concerns
If you have any concerns, please contact a GP, or call the gynaecology ward or NHS 111.
Get medical help if, 2 days after the procedure, you still:
- have extreme pain
- have continuous or a lot of bleeding
- are passing blood clots
- have a high temperature
- have a lot of swelling
- find it difficult to pee
Go to your nearest emergency department (A&E) or call 999 in an emergency.
Talk to your clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
Your clinical nurse specialist can give you:
- information about cancer, investigations and treatments
- emotional support during this challenging time
- practical advice on any possible concerns, such as finances, welfare benefits or recovering from procedures or symptoms
More information and support
The following organisations can give you more information and support:
- The Department for Work and Pensions can help with enquiries about benefits.
- Cancer Research UK has a free helpline run by specialist nurses on 0808 800 4040 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
- The Eve Appeal is a charity that can give information and support to people affected by cervical cancer.
- Macmillan Cancer Support offers information and support for anyone affected by cancer. You can phone the free Macmillan support line on 0808 808 0000 (available 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm).
Resource number 2825/VER5
Date published: February 2026
Review date: February 2029
