Dear Joe, Interstitial cystitis is a disorder that affects approximately 43,500 women in the United States. It is not a cancer but can be equally as debilitating. It is characterized by pain, frequent voiding , burning and urgency in the absence of any evidence of infection. Treatment is largely directed at alleviation of symptoms. However , the relapse rate is high.
Many patients get better for a short duration of time and then require further treatment.
Evaluation by a urologist that specializes in interstitial cystitis is worthwhile as they may have access to various experimental protocols not available to the average urologist. It is very common for patients with IC to have seen an average 4 physicians before the diagnosis is correctly made. This information is provided for general medical information purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. Burks at our institution has a particular interest in interstitial cystitis and I would highly recommend that you see him for your problem.