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What is Cystitis Cystica?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

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.

Cystitis cystica refers to a condition characterized by cysts in the bladder wall.
Cystitis cystica refers to a condition characterized by cysts in the bladder wall.

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.

Individuals with cystitis cystica may experience pelvic pain.
Individuals with cystitis cystica may experience pelvic pain.

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.

Cystitis cystica can cause difficulty urinating.
Cystitis cystica can cause difficulty urinating.

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.

Cystitis cystica can cause cancerous tumors to develop on the bladder.
Cystitis cystica can cause cancerous tumors to develop on the bladder.

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.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

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

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

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

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon329101

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

BoniJ

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?

orangey03

@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.

kylee07drg

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

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    • Cystitis cystica refers to a condition characterized by cysts in the bladder wall.
      By: rob3000
      Cystitis cystica refers to a condition characterized by cysts in the bladder wall.
    • Individuals with cystitis cystica may experience pelvic pain.
      By: BlueSkyImages
      Individuals with cystitis cystica may experience pelvic pain.
    • Cystitis cystica can cause difficulty urinating.
      By: Chatchai
      Cystitis cystica can cause difficulty urinating.
    • Cystitis cystica can cause cancerous tumors to develop on the bladder.
      By: joshya
      Cystitis cystica can cause cancerous tumors to develop on the bladder.
    • A doctor can request an endoscopy to help diagnose cystitis cystica.
      By: Stephan Morrosch
      A doctor can request an endoscopy to help diagnose cystitis cystica.