Bladder Cancer
Overview of Bladder Cancer
Bladder is the part of the urinary tract that stores urine from the kidneys before excretion. Bladder cancer is a common ‘urologic cancer’. Bladder cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrolably in the bladder. The cells that line the inside of the bladder is usually affected. The onset of the disease occurs at any age but usually affects the elderly. Bladder cancer can be cured if diagonsed at an early stage.
The kind of bladder cancer depends on the type of cell involved like:
- Transitional cell carcinoma: The transitional cells line the inside of the bladder. When these cells turn cancerous, it is transitional cell carcinoma.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: When the squamous cells of the bladder is exposed to frequent infection and irritation over the time, becomes cancerous. This is the most common type of cancer found in the world.
- Adenocarcinoma: When the mucus secreting cell of the bladder turn out to be cancerous, it is called adenocarcinoma.
Apart from this, some kinds of bladder cancers occur with more than one kind of cell being affected.
Occurence of Bladder Cancer in Different Groups
Bladder cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in males and eighth most prevalent cancer in females.1 Epidemiological studies suggest that the prevalence rate of bladder cancer varies by country, ethnicity, gender and age. Highest prevalent rates is seen in developed countries. Men have atleast three times more risk than women. Incidence of bladder cancer increases with age. People who are above 65 years of age have a prevalence rate of 110.8 per 100,000 population when compared to youngsters who have a prevalence rate of 6.4 per 100,000 population.2
Causes and Risk Factors of Bladder Cancer
Causes and risk factors of Bladder cancer...
The exact cause of bladder cancer is not known. About 80% of the causes reported were due to environmental exposure. Some of the causes may be due to change in genetic material, smoking accouts for 50% risk1,Exposure to chemicals, dyes, paints etc.
Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Symptoms of Bladder cancer
Most common symptoms are unexplained microscopic hematuria, which is not painful, irritative symptoms like dysuria, urgency of urination, pain in pelvic bone.
Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer
Diagnosis of Bladder cancer
Diagnosis is based on the symptoms. A thorough physical examination is conducted which includes examination of the rectum, prostrate for men and pelvic for women, medical history, family history of cancer, urine test, urine culture.
Treatment of Bladder Cancer
Treatment of Bladder cancer
Treatment of cancer depends on the ‘grade’ and ‘stage’ of cancer. Patients are at high-risk of recurrance. About 80% of bladder cancer cases are curable when diagnosed at an early stage.
Prevention for Bladder Cancer
Cancer cannot always be prevented, as it may affect the person without known reasons. Certain care should surely be taken by changing the lifestyles and increasing the knowledge about cancer causing agents. The following are some measures which may help us to reduce risk of getting affected with bladder cancer.
- Smoking cessation, as it contains some carcinogens.
- Following safety instructions when getting exposed to chemicals.
- Drinking plenty of fluids especially water, as it removes the toxic substances from the body.
- Diet with high vitamin A and vitamin C.10
- Consuming soy proteins, garlic extracts, green tea.
- Consuming a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Using antischistosomal agents which inhibits nitrosamine carcinogenesis.11
Living with Bladder Cancer
People living with bladder cancer will always have the fear or the stress of recurrence which can be managed by:
- Regular checkups and cytoscopy
- Having a mind set to fight the disease when it recurs
- Talking with bladder cancer survivors
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 06, 2011