We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Cystitis Cystica?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 41,147
Share

Cystitis cystica is a condition of the bladder where a series of mucosal cysts form in the bladder wall. A condition called cystitis glandularis causes similar lesions, although they may not necessarily involve glandular tissue. If it is not treated, this condition can lead to adenocarcinoma of the bladder as a result of cellular changes. A urologist is usually involved in diagnosis and treatment.

People develop cystitis cystica as a result of chronic irritation and inflammation in the bladder. They may have a history of bladder infections, paired with an issue like stones in the urine, tumors, or other irritants in the bladder. Over time, the bladder reacts to the irritation by producing more mucus and eventually developing more mucus-producing cells. These cells proliferate, forming masses, and they start to grow into the bladder wall before rupturing and creating cysts. The cysts fill with mucus, as they are lined by mucus cells.

Patients can notice symptoms like pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, or changes in the urine color. In some cases, cystitis cystica causes a urinary obstruction and the patient can only urinate with difficulty, if at all. The growing irritation in the bladder will increase, causing the lesions to grow. Eventually, this condition can convert from being benign to being malignant, causing cancerous tumors to develop. These growths can spread beyond the bladder in metastatic bladder cancer.

To diagnose this condition, a doctor may take images of the bladder and can request an endoscopy to see what is happening inside this organ, in addition to collecting a sample for biopsy. A pathologist can determine what kinds of cells are involved and provide information about how rapidly they are growing. After diagnosis, treatment can include medications to resolve inflammation and surgery to remove irritants like stones. If the condition has progressed to an extreme stage, the urologist may recommend removing the bladder altogether.

People who experience recurrent bladder infections may want to get a medical evaluation to find out why and see if the problem can be addressed, before they have a chance to progress to cystitis cystica. Pelvic pain and difficulty urinating should be treated quickly to avoid complications. If a patient is diagnosed with cystitis cystica, the doctor can provide information about the available treatment options and the prognosis with different choices. Patients can also request a second option from another provider if they want a comprehensive view of the kinds of treatments they have access to.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon329101 — On Apr 08, 2013

I have this. It's unbearable and I don't want to live.

By BoniJ — On Jun 21, 2011

This illness, cystitis cystica, sounds very serious. Having to deal with cancer and having organs removed also must be very traumatic. And then having to cope with elimination of urine problems.

But, it is great what doctors can do to repair the processes of the body.

I assume that this is a quiet disease in the beginning -- is this right?

By orangey03 — On Jun 20, 2011

@kylee07drg - Yes, it is possible. My great-uncle had his bladder removed because of bladder cancer caused by cystitis cystica. The doctors rerouted him so that a piece of his intestine could conduct his urine through his abdominal skin to a plastic pouch. This process is called an ostomy.

After his bladder was removed, he underwent chemotherapy to keep the cancer from returning. In addition to his bladder, they also removed his seminal vesicles and prostate. Then, they removed his pelvic lymph nodes for examination.

His sister also developed bladder cancer and had to have her bladder removed. They also removed her uterus, her urethra, and the front wall of her vagina.

By kylee07drg — On Jun 20, 2011

Seriously, is the bladder really removed? How can a person survive without a bladder?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-cystitis-cystica.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.