What does rare epithelial cells mean in urine?
When a cell in a urine sample appears to be cancerous, it’s called “malignant.” However, this does not automatically mean that it is cancer. Rare cells in urine are not cancerous. Instead, they are most likely pre-cancerous. A small number of these pre-cancerous cells may just be the result of normal cell growth in the urinary tract.
What does a negative rare epithelial cells mean in urine?
Having a negative result means that no cancerous cells were detected in the urine sample. This could mean that the cells are not there or that they are not cancerous. Rare epithelial cells can sometimes appear in the urine after an infection.
What do rare epithelial cells mean in urine test?
While rare, an increased number of epithelial cells in a urine sample may be an indicator of cancerous or pre-cancerous growths in the lining of the urinary tract. More specifically, the appearance of “clusters” of these cells can be seen when looking through a microscope. This can be a sign of cystitis, prostate cancer, or urothelial cancer, which are all cancers developing in the urinary tract. If the number of cells continues to increase, you
What does a few rare epithelial cells mean in urine?
A few isolated, atypical, squamous epithelial cells in the urine is not cause for concern unless they are atypical in appearance or number. This is usually a benign condition called benign urothelial cells or atypical urothelial cells. These cells are most often detected in the urine after a pelvic exam for another reason.
What does rare epithelial cells mean in urine culture?
The presence of white blood cells in the urine does not always suggest infection. Other causes of white blood cells in the urine include infection, inflammation, and even trauma. However, when white blood cells are the only cells present in a urine sample, it is worth checking with your doctor to make sure there is no infection. If the test is negative for infections, then it is likely that white blood cells are just part of normal cell turnover.