ABOUT BLADDER CANCER
Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in
the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ in your lower
abdomen that stores urine. Bladder cancer most often begins in the cells
(urothelial cells) that line the inside of your bladder. Urothelial cells are
also found in your kidneys and the tubes (ureters) that connect the kidneys to
the bladder. Urothelial cancer can happen in the kidneys and ureters, too, but
it's much more common in the bladder. The most common symptom of bladder cancer
is blood in urine, which is usually painless. If you notice blood in your
urine, even if it comes and goes, you should visit your GP, so the cause can be
investigated.
SYMPTOMS OF BLADDER CANCER
Blood in your urine is the most common symptom of bladder
cancer.
The medical name for blood in your urine is haematuria
and it's usually painless. You may notice streaks of blood in your urine or the
blood may turn your urine brown. The blood isn't always noticeable and it may
come and go.
Less common symptoms of bladder cancer include:
- a need to urinate on a more frequent basis
- sudden urges to urinate
- a burning sensation when passing urine
- pelvic pain
- bone pain
- unintentional weight loss
- swelling of the legs
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
If you have blood in your urine – even if it comes and
goes – you should visit your GP, so the cause can be investigated. Having blood
in your urine doesn't mean you definitely have bladder cancer. There are other,
more common, causes including:
- a urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis
- a kidney infection
- kidney stones
- non-gonococcal urethritis
- an enlarged prostate gland, in men
CAUSES OF BLADDER CANCER
Bladder cancer is caused by changes to the cells of the
bladder. It's often linked with exposure to certain chemicals, but the cause
isn't always known. Several factors have been identified that can significantly
increase your risk of developing bladder cancer.
SMOKING
Smoking is the single biggest risk factor for bladder
cancer. This is because tobacco contains cancer-causing (carcinogenic)
chemicals. If you smoke for many years, these chemicals pass into your
bloodstream and are filtered by the kidneys into your urine. The bladder is
repeatedly exposed to these harmful chemicals, as it acts as a store for urine.
This can cause changes to the cells of the bladder lining, which may lead to
bladder cancer. It's estimated that more than a third of all cases of bladder
cancer are caused by smoking. People who smoke may be up to 4 times more likely
to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers.
EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALS
Exposure to certain industrial chemicals is the second
biggest risk factor. Previous studies have estimated that this may account for
around 25% of cases.
Occupations linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer
are manufacturing jobs involving:
- dyes
- textiles
- rubbers
- paints
- plastics
- leather tanning
OTHER RISK FACTORS
Other factors that can increase your risk of bladder
cancer include:
- radiotherapy to treat previous cancers near the bladder, such as bowel cancer
- previous treatment with certain chemotherapy medications, such as cyclophosphamide and cisplatin
- having certain treatments for type 2 diabetes
- having a tube in your bladder (an indwelling catheter) for a long time, because you have nerve damage that has resulted in paralysis
- long-term or repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- long-term bladder stones
- an untreated infection called schistosomiasis (bilharzia), which is caused by a parasite that lives in fresh water – this is very rare in the UK
HOW BLADDER CANCER SPREADS
Bladder cancer usually begins in the cells of the bladder
lining. In some cases, it may spread into surrounding bladder muscle. If the
cancer penetrates this muscle, it can spread to other parts of the body,
usually through the lymphatic system. If bladder cancer spreads to other parts
of the body, such as other organs, it's known as metastatic bladder cancer.
COMMON TREATMENTS FOR BLADDER CANCER
The treatment options for bladder cancer largely depend
on how advanced the cancer is. Treatments usually differ between early stage,
non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and more advanced muscle-invasive bladder
cancer.
SURGERY
Depending on how advanced your cancer is, doctors may remove
just the tumour or they may need to
remove all or part of your bladder.
CHEMOTHERAPY
This may be delivered directly into the bladder for
localized treatment, or you may have traditional systemic treatment via an IV
infusion.
IMMUNOTHERAPY
These meds are given via IV and help make cancerous cells
visible (and therefore killable), lowing the progression and sometimes shrinking
cancer tumors.
RADIOTHERAPY
Radiotherapy may be used in the early stages of cancer or
after it has started to spread. It can be used to cure the cancer completely
and other treatments more effective.
AAYUSHYAM SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
DR. KEVAL N. PATEL
MBBS, MS, DNB Urology, Uro-oncologist (USA)
Consultant Uro-oncologist at
Aayushyam Speciality Hospital & GCRI (Cancer Hospital)
1st floor, Akash-4, Opp. Pavan Party Plot,
Nr. Ankur Cross Road, Naranpura, Ahmedabad- 380014.
Call : 079-27436667, +91 94270 52870
Web : www.drkevalpatel.com
E-mail : aayushyamhospital@gmail.com
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