Bladder Cancer

Understanding Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer originates in the lining of the bladder, the organ in the pelvis that holds urine. It is one of the more common types of cancer, with the majority of cases occurring in older adults, though it can occur at any age. The most prevalent form of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma, which starts in the urothelial cells lining the bladder.                                  

Types of Blood Cancer

Bladder cancer is generally categorised by how it grows, which directly influences treatment decisions:                     

• Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC):
  
  • Also known as superficial bladder cancer, this type is confined to the lining of the bladder and does not invade the muscular bladder wall.
• Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): 
  
  • This type has spread into or through the muscle layers of the bladder and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body and requires more aggressive treatment.

Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is:               

• Blood in urine (hematuria): 
  
  • Usually painless and the first warning sign.

Other symptoms may include:       

• Frequent urination
  
• Painful urination
  
• Urinary urgency, even when the bladder is not full
  
• Pelvic pain
  

Risk Factors

Factors that can increase the risk of bladder cancer include:

• Smoking:
  
  • The greatest risk factor, as smoking causes harmful chemicals to accumulate in the urine.
• Age:
  
  • Most people are diagnosed with bladder cancer after age 55.
• Gender:
  
  • Bladder cancer is more common in men than in women.
• Chemical exposure::
  
  • Exposure to certain industrial chemicals used in the manufacture of dyes, textiles, rubber, and leather.
• Chronic bladder inflammation:
  
  • Chronic or repeated urinary infections or inflammations could increase your risk.
• Previous cancer treatment:
  
  • Treatment with anti-cancer drugs known as cyclophosphamide increases your risk of bladder cancer.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of bladder cancer might involve several steps, including:

• Urine tests:
  
  • Check for blood, cancer cells, or other signs of problems.
• Cystoscopy:
  
  • A small tube with a camera is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to examine the inside of the bladder.
• Imaging tests:
  
  • Ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans might be used to determine whether cancer has spread beyond the bladder.
• Biopsy:
  
  • A sample of bladder tissue (taken during cystoscopy) may be analyzed to confirm the presence of cancer cells

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, and might include:

• Surgery:
  
  • To remove cancerous cells or the bladder itself.
• Intravesical therapy:
  
  • For NMIBC, chemotherapy or immunotherapy drugs are introduced directly into the bladder.
• Chemotherapy:
  
  • Used before or after surgery, or as a primary treatment for advanced cancer.
• Radiation therapy:
  
  • Often used alongside chemotherapy if surgery isn't an option.
• Immunotherapy:
  
  • Uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

Bladder cancer, while common, can often be treated successfully, especially when caught early. Awareness of symptoms, regular check-ups, and understanding risk factors are key to early diagnosis and effective treatment. In the UK, numerous resources and support systems are available to help individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer navigate their treatment and recovery.          

 Cancer Portal

Support Links