Dysplasia is a description of the appearance of cells under the microscope. They do not appear normal, but they also do not have the usual hallmarks of cancer. It is often found nearby either carcinoma in situ or bladder cancer. More than 50% of patients with bladder cancer have dysplasia. It is more common in men than women.
Although dysplasia is not actually cancer or even precancer, it is thought to be a marker for an “unstable” urothelium, which may go on to develop cancer. Dysplasia identified in someone who does not have cancer does not require any intervention but may be a marker of people who are at risk of developing cancer in the future.