- What is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is any of several types of malignancy arising from the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder. Rarely the bladder is involved by non-epithelial cancers, such as lymphoma or sarcoma, but these are not ordinarily included in the colloquial term "bladder cancer.”
Bladder cancer, or cancer of the bladder, is cancer that forms in the tissues of the bladder. The bladder is an organ that stores urine. The majority of bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas - the cancer starts in cells of the inner-lining of the bladder.
Cancer that starts in thin, flat cells of the bladder are also possible; this type is called squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is also possible - this type of cancer begins in the cells that make and release mucus and other fluids.
Bladder cancer tends to affect older adults, but can develop in any age group. The disease is highly treatable at an early stage, when fortunately most diagnoses are made. Nevertheless, bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence (coming back), even if treated early on. That is why survivors should undergo regular follow-up screening tests.
- Articles Related To Bladder Cancer
The cause of bladder cancer is not known. Changes in the genetic material (DNA) of bladder cells may play a role. Chemicals in the environment and cigarette smoking also may play a role. And when the lining of the bladder is irritated for a long time, cell changes that lead to cancer may occur. Some things that cause this are radiation treatment, having catheters in place for a long time, or having the parasite that causes schistosomiasis.
Bladder cancer is twice as likely to develop in smokers than in nonsmokers. Experts believe that smoking causes about half of bladder cancer in men and more than one-fourth of bladder cancer in women.
Exposure to chemicals and other substances at work-including dyes, paints, leather dust, and others-may also cause bladder cancer.
- Summary : Bladder Cancer
What is bladder cancer?
Cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the body. These extra cells grow together and form masses, called tumors. In bladder cancer, these growths happen in the bladder.
The bladder is the part of your urinary tract that stores your urine until you are ready to let it out. See a picture of the female urinary system or male urinary system .
Bladder cancer can usually be successfully treated if it is found and treated early. And most bladder cancer is found early.
What causes bladder cancer?
We don't know what causes bladder cancer. But smoking cigarettes or being exposed to certain chemicals raises your risk. And like other cancers, changes in the DNA of your cells seem to play a role.
What are the symptoms?
Blood in the urine is the main symptom. Other symptoms may include having to urinate often or feeling pain when you urinate.
These symptoms can be caused by other problems, including a urinary tract infection. Always call your doctor if you see blood in your urine.
How is bladder cancer diagnosed?
To diagnose bladder cancer, your doctor will:
Ask about your medical history and do a physical exam, including a vaginal or rectal exam.
Test your urine to look for blood or abnormal cells.
Do a cystoscopy, a test that lets your doctor look into your bladder with a thin, lighted viewing tool. Small tissue samples (biopsies) are taken and looked at under a microscope to find out if there are cancer cells.
How is it treated?
Treatment choices for bladder cancer include surgery to remove any cancer. Sometimes lasers or other methods can be used to get rid of tumors.
Chemotherapy, which uses medicine to destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy, which causes your body's natural defense system to attack bladder cancer cells. Radiation therapy, which uses high-dose X-rays to kill cancer cells. The treatment depends a lot on how much the cancer has grown. Most bladder cancers are treated without having to remove the bladder.
Sometimes doctors do have to remove the bladder. For some people, this means having urine flow into a bag outside of the body. But in many cases, doctors can make a new bladder-using other body tissue-that works very much like the old one.
Bladder cancer often comes back. The new tumors can often be treated successfully if they are caught early. So it’s very important to have regular checkups after your treatment is done.
It’s common to feel scared, sad, or angry after finding out that you have bladder cancer. Talking to others who have had the disease may help you feel better. Ask your doctor about support groups in your area.
- Bladder Cancer : Video
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