Bladder Cancer Treatment
What is Bladder Cancer?
The bladder is an organ in the lower pelvis which performs the function of collecting and storing the urine produced by the kidneys. Urinary Bladder Cancer is a condition in which the bladder cells begin to grow rapidly. Many people are affected with Bladder cancer, being more common in industrialized countries. Although it detects in the younger age group, most of the cases were seen in the older age group. Cancer mostly sees in the age group of 60 plus and has a high chance of recurrence. Bladder cancer occurs when the epithelial cells of the bladder become malignant. The condition characterizes by the rapid growth of cells in the bladder. Bladder cancer is also known as transitional cell carcinoma or urothelial cell carcinoma.
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer does not show any early signs. Later, the following signs could observe:
- Blood in the urine
- A burning sensation while urinating
- Feeling the urge to urinate even when the bladder is not full
- Facing trouble urinating
- Experiencing a weak urine stream
- Frequent urination or the urge to urinate but not passing any urine
- Advice on contraception
These symptoms are not definite symptoms of bladder cancer. Many other conditions can also show these symptoms. Many conditions like tumours, bladder stones, and infections can also cause these symptoms. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should see the doctor as soon as possible to be sure about his status.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis performs by using the following methods:
- For the Primary diagnosis, tests like Cystoscopy, Biopsy, and Urine Cytology will perform.
- For Advanced diagnosis, Imaging like Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans will use.
Treatment
The method of treatment depends on many factors including the stage of the disease, the type of tumour, and the health and age of the patient. The personal preference of the patient will also consider.
Surgery
Transurethral resection is the most common treatment for tumours. It is a surgical technique that is minimally invasive. It involves the removal of tumours with the help of an endoscope which passes through the urethra and performs the excision of the tissue.
Radical Cystectomy
It involves the excision of the balder and replacing it with a new bladder made up of bowel or urinary diversion to eth skin. Open surgery or robotic surgery can be used to achieve it.
Radiation Therapy
Primary radiation therapy generally involves a radiation dose of 6,000 to 7,000 rad to the bladder in patients not fit or not willing to undergo surgery
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy used to treat bladder cancer can be either local or systemic.
- Intravesical chemotherapy places directly into the bladder, and is, therefore, considered local chemotherapy.
- A combination of chemotherapy drugs injected in the veins (systemic chemotherapy) uses in the treatment of more advanced bladder cancers. The combination used most often for bladder cancer is M-VAC [methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin (doxorubicin), and cisplatin] and GC (gemcitabine and cispl
Immunotherapy
BCG is the most prescribed immunotherapeutic agent for use in bladder cancer treatment to prevent recurrences in superficial bladder cancer.
Progression
- Stage I: Most bladder cancers start in the innermost lining of the bladder.
- Stage II/III: Cancer grows into or through the other layers in the bladder wall
- Stage IV: Cancer grows outside the bladder and into nearby structures (lymph nodes, bones, lungs, liver)
Preventive Measures
- Choose a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid dehydration. Increase your fluid intake, particularly water. Water dilutes cancer-causing chemicals.
- Choose a diet rich in a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables may help reduce your risk of cancer.
- Keep a check on the risk factors.
