Bladder cancer- What you should know about it.
Bladder cancer is cancer that occurs in the bladder. As with any cancer, it requires early detection and prompt treatment for best results.
The bladder is a vital organ located in your pelvis that stores urine. It can become a target of cancerous cells, causing serious complications. In this blog, we’ll discuss bladder cancer, the symptoms to watch out for, and the available treatment options.
Cause of bladder cancer
Knowing the cause of any disease will help you take preventive action to reduce the risk. Unfortunately, the exact cause of bladder cancer is not known. We do however know risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing bladder cancer.
Some of the known risk factors are smoking, exposure to harmful chemicals like arsenic and benzene, chronic bladder inflammation, a family history of bladder cancer, and advancing age. Knowing these risk factors can help you make informed choices to protect your bladder health.
Symptoms of bladder cancer
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in urine or hematuria. If you notice blood in the toilet bowl or toilet paper after using the restroom, you should consult a doctor at the earliest.
There are other symptoms that may accompany hematuria. Other warning signs include painful, frequent, or urgent urination, pain in the abdomen or back, fatigue, weight loss, and swelling in your legs.
While these symptoms may indicate bladder cancer, they may also be caused by other urinary tract conditions. Consult a urologist to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and take suitable treatment.
Diagnosis of bladder cancer
During your consultation, the urologist will take down details of your medical history, your lifestyle and history of symptoms, will conduct a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, and may order a few diagnostic tests.
You may have to take certain diagnostic tests including:
Urine test to check for blood or abnormalities in urine
Cystoscopy that involves inserting a catheter with a camera through the urethra to check for abnormalities inside the bladder
Biopsy that collects tissue sample during a cystoscopy to microscopically examine for cancerous cells
Imaging tests such as CT scans, Ultrasound and MRI to determine the stage and spread of cancer
Blood tests to check for cancer markers
Treatment for bladder cancer
If you have bladder cancer, treatment will be customised to suit the stage and severity of the disease. Treatment options at Zymus Hospital include onco-surgery to remove cancerous cells, chemotherapy to destroy cancer with powerful drugs and radiation therapy to kill cancer cells with radiation. We also offer immunotherapy, an advanced treatment option that stimulates your immune system to fight cancer cells effectively. Our oncologist will recommend the best treatment or combination to suit your condition for best results. Rehabilitation is also provided to help you cope with the after effects of surgery. Palliative care is also provided to improve quality of life.
Bladder cancer is a serious condition that requires early treatment. Be aware of the symptoms and consult our urologist at the earliest to avoid complications. We offer the most comprehensive treatment in a compassionate environment to help improve the outcome.
