Bladder Cancer Treatment - General Information About Bladder Cancer

General Information About Bladder Cancer

Key Points

• Bladder cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the bladder.
• Smoking will have an effect on the dangerous risk of bladder cancer.
• Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer including blood in urine and pain during urination.
• Tests that examine the urine and bladder are used to help detect (find) and diagnose bladder cancer
• Certain factors have an effect on prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment choices.

Bladder cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the bladder.

 The bladder may be a hollow organ within the lower a part of the abdomen. it's formed sort of a tiny balloon and includes a muscular wall that enables it to urge larger or smaller to store excreta created by the kidneys. There square measure 2 kidneys, one on all sides of the backbone, on top of the waist. small tubules within the kidneys filter and clean the blood. They remove waste merchandise and build excreta. The excreta passes from every excretory organ through a protracted tube known as a duct into the bladder. The bladder holds the excreta till it passes through the epithelial duct and leaves the body

Anatomy of the male urinary system (left panel) and female urinary system (right panel) showing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urine is made in the renal tubules and collects in the renal pelvis of each kidney. The urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder. The urine is stored in the bladder until it leaves the body through the urethra.

There square measure 3 kinds of bladder cancer that begin in cells within the lining of the bladder. These cancers square measure named for the kind of cells that become malignant (cancerous):

•  transformation cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in cells within the innermost animal tissue of the bladder. These cells square measure ready to stretch once the bladder is full and shrink once it's empty. Most bladder cancers begin within the transformation cells. transformation cell malignant neoplastic disease is inferior or high-grade:
  
  • inferior transformation cell malignant neoplastic disease usually recurs (comes back) when treatment, however seldom spreads into the muscle layer of the bladder or to different elements of the body.
  • best transformation cell malignant neoplastic disease usually recurs (comes back) when treatment and infrequently spreads into the muscle layer of the bladder, to different elements of the body, and to liquid body substance nodes. most deaths from bladder cancer square measure thanks to best unwellness.

• epithelial cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in squamous cells, that square measure skinny, flat cells that will type within the bladder when semipermanent infection or irritation.
• Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in organ (secretory) cells that square measure found within the lining of the bladder. this is often a awfully rare sort of bladder cancer.

Cancer that's within the lining of the bladder is termed superficial bladder cancer. Cancer that has unfold through the liner of the bladder and invades the muscle wall of the bladder or has unfold to close organs and liquid body substance nodes is termed invasive bladder cancer.

See the subsequent PDQ summaries for a lot of information:

• Renal Cell Cancer Treatment
• Transitional Cell Cancer of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter Treatment
• Bladder and Other Urothelial Cancers Screening
• Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment

Smoking can affect the risk of bladder cancer.

 Anything that will increase your likelihood of obtaining a malady is named a risk issue. Having a risk issue doesn't mean that you simply can get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't suggest that you simply won't get cancer. see your doctor if you're thinking that you'll be in danger for bladder cancer.

• Using tobacco, especially smoking cigarettes.
• Having a family history of bladder cancer.
• Having certain changes in the genes that are linked to bladder cancer.
• Being exposed to paints, dyes, metals, or petroleum products in the workplace.
• Past treatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis or with certain anticancer drugs, such as cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide.
• Taking Aristolochia fangchi, a Chinese herb.
• Drinking water from a well that has high levels of arsenic.
• Drinking water that has been treated with chlorine.
• Having a history of bladder infections, including bladder infections caused by Schistosoma haematobium.
• Using urinary catheters for a long time.

 Older age may be a risk issue for many cancers. the possibility of obtaining cancer will increase as you grow old.

Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine and pain during urination.

 These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by bladder cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Blood in the urine (slightly rusty to bright red in color).
• Frequent urination.
• Pain during urination.
• Lower back pain.

Tests that examine the urine and bladder are used to help detect (find) and diagnose bladder cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

• Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
• Internal exam : An exam of the vagina and/or rectum. The doctor inserts lubricated, gloved fingers into the vagina and/or rectum to feel for lumps.
• Urinalysis : A test to check the color of urine and its contents, such as sugar, protein, red blood cells, and white blood cells.
• Urine cytology : A laboratory test in which a sample of urine is checked under a microscope for abnormal cells.
• Cystoscopy : A procedure to look inside the bladder and urethra to check for abnormal areas. A cystoscope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. A cystoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.

Cystoscopy. A cystoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. Fluid is used to fill the bladder. The doctor looks at an image of the inner wall of the bladder on a computer monitor.

• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder to find out if cancer is present in these organs. A contrast dye is injected into a vein. As the contrast dye moves through the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, x-rays are taken to see if there are any blockages.
• Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. A biopsy for bladder cancer is usually done during cystoscopy. It may be possible to remove the entire tumor during biopsy.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:

• The stage of the cancer (whether it is superficial or invasive bladder cancer, and whether it has spread to other places in the body). Bladder cancer in the early stages can often be cured.
• The type of bladder cancer cells and how they look under a microscope.
• Whether there is carcinoma in situ in other parts of the bladder.
• The patient’s age and general health.

If the cancer is superficial, prognosis also depends on the following:

• How many tumors there are.
• The size of the tumors.
• Whether the tumor has recurred (come back) after treatment.

Treatment options depend on the stage of bladder cancer.