Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer refers to any kind of malignant growth in the urinary bladder. It caused by the excessive growth of abnormal cells in the bladder, a hollow organ responsible for storing urine. Most forms occur on the inner lining of the bladder, a type called urothelial or transitional cell carcinoma (UCC or TCC). Like other cancers, bladder cancer is characterized by tumor growth and may spread to other organs.

Bladder Cancer Statistics in the USA

According to the National Cancer Institute, bladder cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer in 2007. About 67,160 new cases are expected this year, higher than last year’s estimate of 61,420. Of these, 13,750 cases are expected to be fatal. Seventy-three percent of patients in 2006 were male, while 27% were female. Likewise, 69% of bladder cancer deaths in 2006 were of male patients while 21% were female.

Causes and Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer

There are no known ‘direct’ causes of bladder cancer, but several ‘risk factors’ have been identified. These include smoking, exposure to chemicals, and gene abnormalities.

Most bladder cancers are also linked to exposure to environmental carcinogens, which cause genetic mutations that affect the cell’s ability to control reproduction. Tobacco smoke is responsible for 50% of cases in males and 30% in females. Of all the cases, about 30% are believed to arise from occupational chemicals, such as benzidine. Benzidine was widely used in dye production and cyanide tests, until it was banned from factories because of its carcinogenic nature.

Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

Early signs of bladder cancer include pelvic pain, blood in the urine, frequent and painful urination, and a false feeling of fullness in the bladder. However, these symptoms are not exclusive to bladder cancer and may indicate other, non-cancerous conditions, such as cystitis, prostate infections, or ordinary bladder infections. Also, blood may not always be visible in the urine and may only be detected by laboratory tests.

Treatment of Bladder Cancer

Treatments depend on the spread and severity of the cancer. If the cancer is non-invasive, or has not spread to the bladder’s muscle coat, the tumor can be removed by burning the abnormal tissuse. This procedure is known as cautery, and may be done with a cytoscope or a telescopic instrument. This treatment does not prevent recurrences, so doctors usually perform regular checkups afterwards via cytoscopy. Superficial tumors may be removed by using the BCG bladder cancer treatment method, a form of immunotherapy that has been proven to work on approximately 70% of the bladder cancer patients. Anti-cancer drugs like Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or mitomycin C may be administered directly into the bladder if the patient is at risk of recurrence.

Deep or muscle-invasive bladder cancer is more serious, as the cancer can spread to other organs like the bone, liver, or lymph nodes. Doctors usually perform CT or MRI scans to determine the extent of the cancer. If the tumor has spread, treatments may include radiation therapy or surgical removal of the bladder. The latter is usually chosen if the bladder has been damaged beyond repair. In such cases, the doctor creates a new path from the kidneys to the small intestine, where urine is deposited in a special adhesive bag just below the waist. Another alternative is the orthotopic bladder substitute, where a portion of the small intestine is transformed into a pouch to replace the damaged bladder.

Please refer to our alternative cancer treatment guide reviews to find out more about natural cancer remedies to treat bladder cancer and more.

Bookmarks
Bookmark This |