Bladder Cancer

About Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer develops when the cells that compose the urinary bladder start to proliferate uncontrollably. A tumor can emerge when multiple new cancer cells grow; over time, that tumor may spread to other areas of the body.

Risk Factors & Prevention

Almost 70% of Bladder cancer patients are over the age of 65. Bladder cancer is four times more common in men than in women.

Some risk factors are:

• Use of Tobacco / Smoking
• Previous pelvic radiation therapy
• Persistent bladder infection
• Use of Cyclophosphamide
• Use of Pioglitazone
• People with lynch syndrome and other genetic syndromes
• Exposure to Arsenic

How can it be prevented?

• Quit Smoking
• Limited exposure to chemicals
• High intake of fluids
• Healthy diet

Screening

No prominent professional groups now advocate routine public screening for Bladder cancer.

Potential screening procedures for Bladder cancer are:

• Urinalysis
• Urine cytology
• Urine tests for tumor marker
• Ultrasound

Symptoms & Signs

• Urinary blood or blood clots
• When urinating, feeling pain or burning sensation
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Having the urge to urinate but being unable to do so
• Lower back discomfort on one side of the body

Diagnosis

Bladder cancer diagnostic tests determine whether you have the disease and how aggressive it may be.

Tools and tests include:

• Cystoscopy
• Biopsy/Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT)
• Biomarker
• CT or CAT scan
• MRI
• Bone scan
• PET-CT scan
• Ultrasound

Sub-Types and Stages

Noninvasive, non-muscle-invasive, or muscle-invasive

Bladder cancer are all possible groupings:

• Urothelial carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the bladder
• Small cell Bladder cancer

Stages

Treatment Modalities

a. Surgical Oncology

A few of the prominent surgical options for treating Bladder cancer:

• Transurethral bladder tumor resection (TURBT) – Removes the tumor using a tool called fulguration.

• Radical cystectomy and lymph node dissection – Removing the whole bladder and any adjacent affected tissues or organs.

c. Radiation Oncology

• Typically, a machine that moves around your body delivers radiation therapy for Bladder cancer by aiming energy beams at specific locations.

Coping with Treatment

Along with the medical side effects of Bladder cancer therapy, patients also deal with the financial burden of cancer care and the emotional and social impacts. MOC provides facility of psycho Onco-Counseling and Nutritional counseling to help patients.

Do’s & Don’ts During Treatment

Do’s

• Maintain a well-balanced diet
• Consume adequate protein sources
• Eat every 2 to 3 hours
• Drink plenty of water

Don’ts

• Avoid overexertion

Post-Treatment Support

Post-treatment Bladder cancer survivors can undergo long-term side effects of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. They can also have symptoms such as High-frequency hearing loss and tinnitus, low blood counts, nausea, and vomiting. Survivors require empathy, mental strength, and support from their families. They can also join Bladder cancer Post-Treatment Survivorship Support Groups.

Follow-ups Cancer Care Plan

Post-treatment, one must request a follow-up treatment plan. Doctors provide a personalized treatment plan based on the type and stage of cancer.

Surveillance and monitoring for Signs & Symptoms of Recurrence

One aim of follow-up care is checking for a recurrence, and one should never miss follow-up visits and never ignore any symptoms of recurrence. Because some cancer cells may remain undiscovered in the body in small locations that don’t respond to treatment, cancer can reoccur. A physician knowledgeable about your medical history can provide personalized information regarding your risk of recurrence during follow-up care.

FAQ's

1. What are my treatment options for Bladder cancer?

   The types and stages of cancer determine the therapy options.

2. Having my surgery done robotically would be beneficial?

   The results are the same whether the surgery was performed open or robotically.

3. Are Bladder cancer symptoms different in women than in men?

   No, In general, women and men experience the same symptoms of Bladder cancer.