Is Blood in Your Urine a Sign of Cancer?

This page is for anyone who has seen blood in their urine, or been told a test found it, and is worried about cancer. It covers common causes, why cancer can cause bleeding, and what a doctor checks.

Not always cancer. NCI says urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder stones, or other kidney problems could be the cause. But NCI also says blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. So it always deserves a doctor's evaluation, even if it happens only once.

NCI says blood in the urine is often slightly rusty to bright red. MedlinePlus says it may turn the toilet water red or pink. It can also be invisible, in such a small amount that only a urine test finds it.

NCI notes that you may see blood once, then not see it again for a while. That does not mean the problem went away. Any visible blood, even a single episode, should be checked.

MedlinePlus lists cancer of the bladder or kidney among the causes of blood in the urine. NCI lists other bladder cancer symptoms:

• frequent urination.
• pain or burning when urinating.
• feeling like you need to go even when your bladder is not full.
• needing to urinate at night.

These other symptoms can also come from other conditions. NCI says to check with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

MedlinePlus lists:

• urinary tract infections.
• kidney or bladder stones.
• bleeding disorders and blood-thinning medicines.
• recent urinary procedures.
• some kidney diseases.

NCI says doctors usually start with a urine sample. MedlinePlus says tests may include a urinalysis, a cystoscopy, CT scans and blood work. A cystoscopy uses a thin scope to look inside the bladder. NCI's guide to pathology reports says a pathology report normally goes to your doctor within 10 days of a biopsy or surgery.

If blood in your urine continues, or you were treated for an infection and the blood does not clear, tell your doctor and ask what tests are needed.

• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you suddenly cannot pass urine at all, or you have heavy bleeding. Do not drive yourself.
• Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for sudden confusion or being hard to wake. Do not drive yourself.
• Call your care team right away if you are passing blood clots in your urine, or if blood in the urine comes with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or pain in your belly, back or side. MedlinePlus lists these as reasons for urgent contact.
• If you are on chemotherapy or have low white blood cells, call your care team right away, day or night, for burning when you urinate, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, redness at a catheter site, or any sign of infection, even without a fever. A normal temperature is not a reason to wait.
• Call your care team within a day or two if you see visible blood in your urine even once, and even if it clears up on its own.

• What could be causing this blood in my urine?
• Do I need a cystoscopy or imaging, or can we start with a urine test?
• Could this be an infection, stones, or something that needs closer follow-up?
• What symptoms should send me to urgent care?

• National Cancer Institute — Bladder Cancer Symptoms
• MedlinePlus — Blood in urine
• National Cancer Institute — Pathology Reports
• National Cancer Institute — Chemotherapy and You (PDF)