Urine Cytology

This is a simple urine test. Before passing urine, males must wipe the head of their penis with a sterile wipe. Females should use a sterile wipe or soapy water to wash and rinse the vaginal area. This can be done in the bathroom of your doctor’s office. Any urine, except the first of the day, can be used.

To get a clean sample, you should first allow a small amount of urine to fall into the toilet. Then, in a sterile container, collect about three to six ounces. The container can be removed from the urine stream after enough is collected. You would then give the sample to your health care team for testing.

Sometimes your urine must be collected with a catheter. If so, there could be a risk of urinary tract infection. Your health care team will take extra care to prevent infections in this case.

The urine sample will be sent to a lab where a pathologist will evaluate the cells in your urine and look for signs of cancer. Results may take several days.

Ask your health care team when you can expect to learn the test’s results.

• Why do you think this test will help me?
• How accurate are the test results?
• How long will I have to wait until I learn the test results?
• What other tests will I need?
• If a problem is found, what are my next steps?

Updated November 2024.