What is bladder cancer?
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:
- Urothelial carcinoma: begins in the cells lining the inside of the bladder
- Squamous cell carcinoma: often develops as a result of chronic bladder irritation
- Adenocarcinoma: a rare form of bladder cancer in the United States that starts in the bladder’s mucus-secreting glands
The majority of bladder cancer cases are detected early and are highly treatable.
What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer causes a variety of symptoms, including:
- Blood in your urine, or hematuria
- Pain during urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Frequent urges to urinate
- Pain or discomfort in your back or pelvis
As bladder cancer progresses, it’s also common to experience fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
What causes bladder cancer?
The exact cause of bladder cancer isn’t known, but several factors can trigger abnormal bladder cell growth, such as:
- Tobacco use
- Exposure to radiation or chemicals
- Continuous bladder irritation
- Parasitic infections
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.
How is bladder cancer diagnosed and treated?
The Valley Urology Center team usually performs a variety of tests to diagnose bladder cancer, including:
- Urine sample analysis
- Vaginal or rectal exams to check for cancers growths
- Imaging tests, like X-rays or CT scans, to look for abnormalities
- Cystoscopy to check inside your bladder for signs of disease
- Biopsies to examine bladder tissue
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.
