carrincle on urethra

  My 78 year old mother recently went through over one year of doctors and tests which began because she had a pain  (pressure pain) in her groin when she was in bed at night.  No doctor found anything connected to the pain, but along the way her gynecologist found a polyp in her uterus and performed a biopsy.  The polyp was benign.  On the day of her follow-up esan, the gynecologist said that when he did his initial exam on her he had found a "carrincle" on her urethra and now he wanted her to go to a urologist to see if she had polyps in her bladder.  He said that since she had a "tendancy" to grow polpys, and since polyps in the bladder were often cancerous, the test was imperative.  my mother is suspicious and I am seeking a second opinion on her behalf.  She has no symptons associated with ther urethra or her bladder and there is no history of bladder cancer in her family.  Please help!  Carol

[HFHS M.D.-CK]

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Dear Carol,
A urethral caruncle may cause discomfort and may require antibiotics and surgical excision.  A urologist can evaluate this lesion.
Polyps or papillary transitional cell cancer of the bladder do not have an association with polyps in the uterus.  Indications for a cystoscopy include blood in the urine (hematuria), complicated urinary tract infections, unexplained voiding problems, history of bladder cancer and others.  
From the history given I am not aware of the indication for cystoscopy in your mother.
  This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
HFHS M.D.-CK
*keyword:  cystoscopy