Bladder Cancer
What is it?
Bladder cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the lining of the bladder. Often, more than one tumor is present at a time, and the cancer may spread into and through the wall of the bladder. The most frequent symptom of bladder cancer is painless hematuria (blood in the urine), although commonly there are no symptoms at all. Therefore, when symptoms of a bladder disorder do arise, they are most often due to other, less serious, conditions such as infections, benign prostate enlargement, or bladder stones. Bladder cancer is rare before the age of 40 and is more common among men.
What Causes It?
- Smoking is associated with an increased incidence of bladder cancer.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals (such as those used in the rubber industry as well as industrial dyes and solvents) is a potential risk factor.
- A family history of bladder cancer is associated with an increased risk.
Prevention
- Don't smoke cigarettes.
- Exercise caution if you work with industrial dyes or in the rubber industry.
- If you have a family history of the disease, get regular checkups.
- See your doctor regularly if you have had bladder cancer to screen for recurrences.
Diagnosis
- Patient history and physical exam help to establish the presence of a bladder disorder.
- Cystoscopy (the use of a thin, lighted tube that allows a surgeon to see the bladder directly) and biopsy (removal and analysis of tissue samples) are required for a definitive diagnosis.
- Urinalysis may be used to detect cancer cells and blood in the urine.
- CT (computed tomography) scans provide a view of the bladder and surrounding tissues to reveal any structural abnormalities.
How to Treat It
- Tumors in the early stages may be removed surgically through the cystoscope. Such tumors may recur, thus requiring repeated cystoscopy every three months for one to two years, then every six months for one to two more years, and then yearly for life.
- Recurrences may also be treated with chemotherapeutic agents instilled directly into the bladder with a catheter.
- Chemotherapy given intravenously is used if evidence indicates that the cancer has spread.
- If the cancer is advanced, removal of the entire bladder is required. Radiation and chemotherapy may also be used.
When to Call a Doctor
- Call a doctor if you have blood in the urine or you experience other symptoms of bladder cancer.
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Copyright © 2008 Medletter Associates, LLC
Content excerpted from Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home Medical Reference.