Managing Microscopic Hematuria

Background

Microscopic hematuria can be a benign finding or the first indication of serious urological pathology — especially malignancy. Although most guidelines don't recommend routine screening for microscopic hematuria, it deserves evaluation when it is found incidentally. In this guideline from the AUA, microscopic hematuria is defined as ≥3 red cells per high-power field (RBC/HPF). The management strategy does not apply to patients with gross hematuria or patients in whom nonmalignant causes for microscopic hematuria are clearly identified (e.g., glomerular disease, infect…