Bladder Cancer - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Care

By Steve Batchelor

Over 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer in the UK each year and over 50,000 annually in the US. It accounts for 90% of cancers of the urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureters, bladder and urethra) and occurs mostly in those over 50 and about twice as many men as women gets this disease. Although bladder cancer cannot be prevented, tobacco use and working with certain chemicals are associated with a higher risk of developing the disease.
Drinking plenty of fluids daily can help to lower the risk. The symptoms of bladder cancer include pain and frequency of urination and blood in the urine.

Diagnosis of bladder cancer is by urological testing and image testing, potential risk factors can be determined by the patient's full medical history and things like smoking and exposure to dyes are taken into consideration. The NMP22®BladderChek® is a noninvasive urine test which detects elevated levels of nuclear matrix protein (NMP) caused by bladder cancer, the results of this test when used with cystoscopy have shown to be more effective than other diagnostic tests.

Various imaging tests can also be performed, these involve a dye being administered through a vein then x-rays are taken as the dye moves through the urinary tract. This provides information about the function of the bladder, ureters and kidneys. Other imaging tests include a CT scan, MRI scan, bone scan and ultrasound. If bladder cancer is suspected a cystoscopy and biopsy are performed. With a cystoscopy a thin telescope-like tube with a tiny camera attached is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to detect abnormalities. In biopsy, tissue samples are taken and examined for cancer cells.

Once is has been determined that a tumor exists, the next step is to clarify the tumor's status. The size of the tumor, where it lies, whether it has extended into surrounding tissue and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other sites in the body are all questions that need to be answered. The tumor's stage or depth of penetration is confined to one of two categories; (1) superficial, surface tumors which affect only the bladder lining or (2) invasive, deep spreading tumors which grow into the deeper layers of the bladder tissue, and may involve surrounding muscle, fat and nearby organs.

Treatment of bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease, type of cancer and the patient's age and general health. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Surgery can include removing the bladder, prostate and lymph nodes which results in the patient requiring an external urinary appliance, but if caught in the early stages a tumor can be removed using instruments inserted through the urethra.

Chemotherapy is systemic treatment that uses drugs to destroy the cancer cells which are administered orally or intravenously. In patients with the early stages of bladder cancer drugs may be infused into the bladder through the urethra. Some side effects of chemotherapy can be severe and include headache, abdominal pain, blurred vision, fatigue, excessive bleeding, infection and weakness.

Radiation uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. External beam radiation is emitted from a machine outside the body and internal radiation is emitted from pellets implanted into the tumor. Either type may be used after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. Side effects can include inflammation of the rectum, skin irritation, fibrosis and impotence.

Immunotherapy may be used in cases of superficial bladder cancer. The treatment enhances the immune system's ability to fight disease. A vaccine is infused through the urethra to the bladder once a week for 6 weeks to stimulate the immune system and destroy cancer cells. Side effects can be inflammation of the bladder, inflammation of the prostate and flu-like symptoms. Bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence. Urine cytology and cystoscopy are performed every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for the next 2 years and then yearly.

Steve Batchelor is the webmaster at www.cancerhelpguides.info where you can find relevant and informative information on many different cancer types. He also recommends infogoldmine for more info on cancer treatments and care as well as many other subjects.