An Introduction To Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the fourth most typical cancer in males in the United States. It also occurs in females, although it is less common than in males. Though numerous elements are thought to elevate the risk of developing bladder cancer, using cigarettes is definitely the principle single risk factor. Symptoms of bladder cancer can include blood within the urine, painful urination, and greater frequency of urination.

Diagnosis and Preliminary Treatment

Most bladder cancers are recognized by using cystoscopy, a process where the urologist views the inside of the bladder using a fiberoptic scope. When a tumor has been seen, it will usually be gotten rid of with a procedure referred to as Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor or TURBT.

Superficial or Invasive?

Whenever a bladder cancer is completely removed, the urologist and pathologist decide whether the tumor is superficial (restricted to the lining of the bladder) or invasive (the cancer extends underneath the lining into the wall of the bladder). It's an important distinction, since a superficial cancer cannot disperse past the bladder, whilst invasive bladder cancers can very quickly spread to other parts of the body. Thankfully, four out of 5 bladder cancers are superficial whenever first diagnosed.

The Chance of Recurrence

Even though a superficial bladder tumor presents no immediate threat of spread, it may, if unattended, come to be invasive. Total elimination of a superficial bladder cancer thoroughly cures that specific tumor, but the bladder remains at risk for repeated cancers in other places. Once the bladder lining has cultivated one superficial cancer, there is a 60 % to 80 percent risk that additional cancers will emerge down the road. Your individual danger of recurrence is based on a number of factors, including the tumor grade (speed of growth), number (single versus multiple tumors) and dimensions of the first cancer.

Monitoring for Recurrence

After a superficial (non-invasive) cancer has been removed, the urologist will from time to time perform cystoscopy to check out the bladder for recurrences. In the first two years following the removal of a tumor, the cystoscopies are usually performed every three months. If no recurrences can be found in those two years, the time interval is raised to six months for the following two years. If four years pass with no recurrences, most urologists suggest that the procedure be done yearly thereafter.
 
Lessening the Chance Of Recurrence

There are actions that can be taken to decrease your danger of superficial bladder cancer recurrence. These include medical treatments provided by your urologist, as well as nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes you can pursue yourself.