Bladder cancer is one of the common types of cancer, as the bladder is an organ located in the lower abdomen in which urine is stored. The disease often originates in the lining of the bladder, especially in the elderly. Many studies have proven that men are more susceptible to bladder cancer, and there are many reasons that increase the chances of contracting the disease, such as smoking or exposure to frequent bladder infections. Al Mousa Health Hospital offers the latest specialized therapeutic programs in cancer treatment with post-recovery follow-up.

What is bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer, especially in men. More than 80% of people around the world suffer from cancer in a superficial form that can be treated, while more than 20% of people are in advanced stages. The stage of the disease is determined according to the degree of penetration into the bladder wall. The stages of the disease are as follows:

• Papillary cancer: In this case, the disease cannot penetrate the wall of the lamina propria.
• A type that penetrates the inner half of the detrusor muscle.
• A tumor that has invaded the pelvic organs or wall.
• In situ carcinoma appears on the mucosa layer, and moreover, it is also located below the mucosa layer, which makes it difficult for doctors to detect and completely remove it.
• A tumor that has penetrated the outer half of the detrusor muscles.
• A tumor that penetrates the fatty layer around the blood vessels.

Therefore, when you feel any sudden symptoms in the pelvic area, you must consult a doctor immediately to begin the necessary tests, identify the symptoms, and find out their causes.

Causes of bladder cancer

Until now, doctors have not been able to determine the main causes of bladder cancer. However, there are some factors that increase the risk of developing the disease, and these factors are as follows:

• Smoking is one of the most important causes that may lead to bladder cancer, as cigarettes contain a large percentage of harmful chemicals that are absorbed by the body into the blood until they are transported to the kidneys and then eliminated in the form of urine. These substances cause irritation in the lining cells that cause cancer.
• Age: With increasing age, the probability of developing bladder cancer increases, and most cases are diagnosed with the disease after the age of 55 years.
• Exposure to chronic bladder infections or bladder stones may cause some changes in the bladder cells, leading to the disease.
• Direct exposure to chemicals used in the manufacture of textiles and dyes.
• Having a family history of bladder cancer, family members are more susceptible to it.
• Exposure to radiation or chemicals in the pelvic area may lead to long-term infection.

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Symptoms of bladder cancer

The symptoms that appear in people with bladder cancer vary, and these symptoms include the following:

• Blood in the urine may be seen with the naked eye, and in some cases it requires a medical examination.
• The desire to urinate frequently within a short time.
• The feeling of urinating suddenly and the urgency to urinate immediately and without waiting.
• Feeling severe pain and burning when urinating, which may be severe or mild from time to time.
• Feeling severe pain in the lower back, one or both sides.
• Swelling in one or both feet is a common symptom.
• Noticeable weight loss and loss of appetite for food.
• Severe bone pain is one of the advanced stages of the disease.
• Feeling extremely tired and exhausted for no apparent reason.

There are also some symptoms that may appear and indicate that the disease is in advanced stages, including the following:

• Difficulty urinating. This occurs as a result of an obstruction that affects urination.
• Enlarged lymph nodes near the bladder.
• The spread of the disease to organs of the body such as the kidneys and bones.

However, these symptoms may not be clear evidence of cancer and may be the result of other causes, so you must go to the doctor for a careful examination and diagnosis of the condition.

Types of bladder cancer

This disease is classified into several different types, the most important of which are the following:

• Urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma, appears in the inner part of the bladder and is the most common type.
• Glandular cancer: This type initially appears inside the glandular cells that secrete mucus in the bladder. It is a rare type of cancer.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: This type initially spreads within the inner surface cells of the bladder, causing severe irritation of the bladder.

In addition to the types we mentioned, there are some other types that are classified as bladder cancer, which are:

• Bladder cancer is the lowest grade and is the least common type among other types.
• Non-invasive cancer that appears in the inner layer of the bladder wall but does not spread to the tissues
• The highest grade bladder cancer is by far the most dangerous and common.
• Muscle-invasive cancer that spreads to deeper tissues within the bladder wall and organs as well.

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Complications of bladder cancer

Cancer patients are exposed to many complications, especially patients in the advanced stages of the disease. These symptoms include the following:

• Some people develop an enlarged ureter as a result of obstruction in the urethra and this is due to cancer.
• Some men suffer from sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction, and some women may suffer from impotence.
• Feeling severe pain, especially in the pelvic area and lower back, in addition to pain during urination.
• Exposure to radiation therapy to treat bladder cancer results in inflammation and irritation of the bladder lining.
• Another complication of cancer is the spread within the lungs, causing difficulty breathing.

Despite all the complications we mentioned, the complications of cancer may vary from one person to another, and some other complications may appear depending on the nature of the case.

Bladder cancer diagnosis

If the previous symptoms that indicate bladder cancer appear, the doctor first diagnoses the condition according to some steps, which are as follows:

• The doctor uses an endoscope to examine the bladder from the inside. The doctor begins by inserting a thin tube through the urethra, and through the lens in it, the doctor can follow the urethra and bladder and examine them carefully to look for any indicators of the disease.
• The doctor may take a sample of bladder tissue during the endoscopic examination in order to examine it. This diagnosis is called transurethral resection of the tumor (TURBT).
• The disease can be diagnosed by examining a urine sample to examine all the urinary cells under a microscope and check for the presence of any cancer cells.
• Diagnosis can be made using imaging tests, whether by imaging the urinary system or through a pyelogram, and the doctor examines it carefully.

After the doctor confirms the presence of bladder cancer, the doctor asks the patient to perform some tests to determine the extent of the disease.

What is the treatment for bladder cancer

Choosing a method of treating bladder cancer depends on some factors, such as the type and degree of cancer and the patient’s health condition. The treatment method includes the following:

• Treatment is through surgery and the tumor is completely removed.
• Intravesical chemotherapy to treat cancer cells in the lining of the bladder and prevent their progression to advanced stages.
• Chemotherapy for all organs of the body helps increase the chance of recovery from cancer.
• Radiation therapy helps destroy cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy, where the necessary treatment method is followed to stimulate the immune system so that it attacks cancer cells, and the patient receives some vaccines, including BCG, in addition to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
• There are some cases in which doctors use heat therapy, depending on the patient's health condition.

You should discuss it with your doctor to choose the appropriate treatment method, but you should know that all treatment methods may cause some side effects over time.

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How to prevent bladder cancer

In order to avoid exposure to bladder cancer and prevent the disease, there are some steps that must be followed, which are as follows:

• Stop smoking, as it is one of the most dangerous factors that cause many diseases, the most important of which is bladder cancer.
• Stay away from exposure to chemicals, so be careful if you are exposed to them while working.
• Make sure to follow a healthy, balanced diet, eat vegetables and fruits, and drink plenty of water, which helps prevent cancerous diseases.

FAQs

What are the signs of bladder cancer?

There are some signs that appear on the patient indicating bladder cancer, such as blood coming out with the urine, or feeling tired and exhausted, in addition to the appearance of pain in the bones and loss of appetite. In some cases, those suffering from the disease in advanced stages may suffer from difficulty urinating and swelling in the feet as well.

Can bladder cancer be cured?

Of course, bladder cancer can be cured specifically if the disease is discovered early before it spreads, but it must be taken into account that after recovery, periodic follow-up with the doctor and examinations must be performed from time to time to ensure that the disease does not reoccur again, as some people may become infected with the disease again after recovery.

Does bladder cancer cause death?

Yes, bladder cancer is deadly and causes many deaths. It is no less harmful than other types of cancer, but whenever the disease is discovered in the early stages, it can be controlled, and by following appropriate treatment and continuous examinations with the doctor, the disease is cured and its spread throughout the body’s organs is prevented.

Bladder cancer is one of the types of cancer that affects some people, and the disease is discovered at an advanced stage, which makes it difficult to recover from it. Therefore, doctors always advise when feeling one of the previous symptoms to go to Al Mousa Health Hospital, consult a specialist doctor, and do the necessary tests to confirm the disease, and in the event of infection, the necessary treatment methods are followed.

Sources:

Bladder cancer – clevelandclinic