About Cancers

TYPES OF CANCER :
Bladder Cancer

Cancer Treatments

Fighting Cancer

Second Opinion

Patient Stories

phone+91 9154143858/59/60
Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer

bladdercancer

The bladder is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ situated in the pelvic cavity. It acts as a temporary reservoir for urine storage.


Bladder cancer usually begins when the cells lining the bladder begin to grow abnormally. According to GLOBOCAN data, bladder cancer accounts for 3% of global cancer diagnoses. Globally, it is the 10th most common cancer and the incidence is increasing consistently, especially in developing countries.


Signs and Symptoms

Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. But, sometimes the blood may come and go, or it may turn the urine into dark brown colour, which makes it difficult to notice this symptom.


Few other bladder cancer symptoms during the initial stage might include:

  • Burning sensation while urination
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Urgency to urinate

In the advanced stage, bladder cancer may cause the following symptoms:

  • Blood loss
  • Bone pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Pelvic pain
  • Swelling of the legs

In cases, when bladder cancer has metastasized to bone, liver or lungs, symptoms related to specific organs are also noticed.


Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of bladder cancer is still unknown. However, researchers believe that bladder cancer occurs when there is a sudden change in the DNA of the bladder cells. These changes may either turn on the oncogenes or turn off the tumour suppressor genes, which can result in an uncontrollable growth and division of the cells. These changes are influenced by several factors, and include:

  • Smoking: The risk of bladder cancer is three times more in smokers.
  • Exposure to chemicals: Chemicals released while manufacturing rubber, dyes, leather, and paint products affect the lining of the urinary bladder and may result in bladder cancer.
  • Gender: Men are at higher risk of bladder cancer than women.
  • Age: Bladder cancer can happen at any age, but its risk increases with advancing age.
  • Medications: Studies reveal that the usage of anti-diabetic medications (pioglitazone) and cancer therapies (especially chemotherapy) for more than one year may increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Diagnosis

The patient’s medical history and family history are reviewed. In women, a pelvic or digital rectal examination is done by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger in the rectum to feel the tumour in the bladder.


A urinalysis may help to check if there are any traces of blood. Additionally, urine cytology is done to check for any abnormal cells that may be shed from the bladder lining. The following are some tests done to detect the stage and any abnormalities in the surrounding organs:

  • Cystoscopy: In this procedure, a small cystoscope (a thin flexible tube with a video camera mounted at one end) is inserted through the urethra. The camera transmits real-time images of the bladder lining.
  • Biopsy: A biopsy can be done along with cystoscopy. The procedure involves inserting a needle or other special tools through the cystoscope to collect and examine the sample of tumour tissue.
  • Imaging tests: Tests such as computerized tomography (CT) scan, pyelogram, ultrasound, and MRI are done to examine the structures in the urinary tract.

Stages of bladder cancer:

The cancer staging is important to determine the severity of cancer, its size and extent, and to devise an appropriate treatment plan.


Bladder cancer can have the following stages:

  • Stage 0: Cancer cells are located on the surface of the inner lining of the bladder.
  • Stage I: Cancer has spread to the connective tissue beneath the inner lining of the bladder.
  • Stage II: Cancer has spread to the muscular wall of the bladder, but hasn’t reached the fatty tissue surrounding the bladder, lymph nodes, and other organs.
  • Stage III: Cancer has grown through the muscle layer of the bladder and has spread into the prostate, seminal vesicles, uterus, or vagina.
  • Stage IV: Cancer has spread from the bladder to the distant parts of the body, such as bone, lung, or liver.

Bladder Cancer Treatment: Once the bladder cancer is diagnosed, you and your treatment team will discuss the treatment options, its benefits, possible risks and side effects. The treatment for bladder cancer is based on the stage of cancer during the time of diagnosis. Treatment modalities for bladder cancer include:


Bladder Cancer Surgery: Surgery is an appropriate treatment option for all stages of bladder cancer. Depending upon the patient’s age, stage of cancer, and side effects of the surgery, any of the following types of surgery may be recommended:


Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT)

TURBT is a common early-stage, non-invasive treatment option to remove bladder cancers confined to the inner layers of the bladder. It is performed under general anaesthesia. Once the anaesthesia sets in, a small wire loop is passed through a cystoscope (thin tube fitted with a camera) into the bladder. Through this wire loop, an electric current is passed to burn and destroy the cancer cells.


Cystectomy

This procedure involves the removal of all or a part of the bladder. It is of two types: Radical and partial.

  • Partial cystectomy is performed when the tumour is limited to one area of the bladder and can be easily removed. This procedure involves the removal of only the portion of the bladder that contains the tumour.
  • Radical cystectomy involves removal of the entire bladder, part of the reproductive organs (uterus or prostate) and surrounding lymph nodes. It is recommended when the tumour invades and spreads to larger parts of the bladder.

Urinary diversion:

It is a surgical procedure that reroutes the normal urine flow. This procedure is done when the urine flow is blocked due to the formation of tumours.


Chemotherapy: It is a treatment option that involves the use of specific drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. These drugs interfere with the process of cell division and promote cancer cell death. Chemotherapy is recommended either before the surgery to shrink a tumour (neoadjuvant therapy) or after the surgery/ radiation therapy to kill the remaining cancer cells (adjuvant therapy).


Chemotherapy for bladder cancer can be given in 2 different ways:

  • Intravesical chemotherapy: From a tube passed through the urethra directly to the bladder
  • Intravenous chemotherapy: Through a vein in the arm

Radiation therapy: It involves the use of high energy radiation beams to shrink and destroy the tumour. It can be given alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.


Radiation therapy is a localised treatment option that can be given in two ways i.e. externally through an external source or internally by placing radioactive pellets near the tumour. External radiation therapy is mostly preferred for bladder cancers.


Immunotherapy: It involves the use of substances derived from living organisms, which can fight against cancer. Immunotherapy works by either recognizing or attacking cancer cells or by boosting the natural defence mechanism of the immune system. Immunotherapy is rarely recommended for bladder cancer.


Prevention:

There is no specific way to prevent bladder cancer. However, certain measures can help you lower the risk of bladder cancer. These include:

  • Smoking cessation
  • Following safety practices, if your work involves exposure to chemicals
  • Drinking a lot of fluids, especially water
  • Eating fresh fruits and vegetables

Outlook:

The prognosis depends on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. The relative 5-year survival rate for localized bladder cancer is 70%, regional bladder cancer is 36%, and distant bladder cancer is 5% respectively.


References:

Copyright © 2022 kaizen rights reserved.