While women can also develop bladder cancer, it’s the fourth most commonly occurring cancer in American men. In Renton, Washington, the Valley Urology Center team brings the most advanced diagnostic tools and treatment to the area for treating urological conditions such as bladder cancer. To find treatment solutions for bladder cancer if you’re in western Washington or the Pacific Northwest, call Valley Urology Center or schedule an appointment online today.
Bladder cancer is a common cancer that generally develops in the cells lining the inside of your bladder, but can also originate in other areas of the urinary tract.
There are different kinds of bladder cancer, including:
The majority of bladder cancer cases are detected early and are highly treatable.
Bladder cancer causes a variety of symptoms, including:
As bladder cancer progresses, it’s also common to experience fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
The exact cause of bladder cancer isn’t known, but several factors can trigger abnormal bladder cell growth, such as:
Several factors can also increase your risk of bladder cancer, especially if you’re older than 40, Caucasian, or male. Additional conditions that can increase your chances of this type of cancer include smoking, exposure to chemicals like arsenic, and undergoing cancer treatment.
There are also higher rates of bladder cancer among people who have a family history of the condition or nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, also known as HNPCC or Lynch syndrome.
The Valley Urology Center team usually performs a variety of tests to diagnose bladder cancer, including:
Your urologist develops a personalized treatment strategy based on your type of bladder cancer and the extent of your condition. Most bladder cancer therapies include surgically removing the entire bladder or a portion of it, as well as radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or clinical drug trials.
For more information on bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment, call Valley Urology Center or schedule an appointment online today.