Why does my urinalysis results show high epithelial cells?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 28-year-old female, and I am concerned about my urinalysis results. I read that high epithelial cells in urine are indicative of bladder cancer. Suppose my results show very high squamous epithelial cells. Is it the same thing or different? Is it differentiated when testing? How are the epithelial cells that could mean cancer show up on urinalysis results? Please give me your opinion on this.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for writing in, and I understand your concern. High squamous epithelial cells indicate chronic irritation to the urinary tract, which can be due to stone foreign body or schistosomiasis infection. Metaplasia from transitional epithelium to squamous epithelium can change to cancer in the long term. Further investigations should be carried out. First, a urine culture and ultrasound are required, followed by a computed tomography (CT) scan. If nothing is obvious, then cystoscopy and bladder biopsy will be required.

I hope this answers your questions.

Regards.