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Bladder cancer develops when cells in the bladder begin to divide uncontrollably. These cancer cells grow into a tumour, which may spread to other parts of the body over time. Bladder cancer is more likely to strike men than it is to strike women.
Bladder cancer is one of the diseases that can be detected early since it causes blood in the urine as well as other urinary issues that require quick medical attention.
Smoking is the leading cause of bladder cancer, with research indicating that smokers are two to three times more likely to get the disease than non-smokers.
HCG houses the best bladder cancer specialists in India who are trained to treat bladder cancers with customised and result-oriented treatment plans that lead to positive clinical outcomes.
Based on the type of cells that they originate from, bladder cancers are classified into the following types:
1. Urothelial Carcinoma: Urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), accounts for 90% of bladder cancer cases. This type arises from the urothelial cells of the urinary tract.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinomas arise from the bladder lining and are almost always invasive.
3. Adenocarcinoma:Adenocarcinomas, which arise from the glandular cells, account for around 1% of all bladder malignancies. Almost all bladder adenocarcinomas are invasive.
4. Small-cell Carcinoma: Small-cell carcinomas are of rare occurrence and account for less than 1% of all bladder cancers. It is a neuroendocrine epithelial tumour that is poorly differentiated.
5. Sarcoma: Also called urinary sarcoma, this rare type arises from the bladder’s muscular cells
Urinary bleeding is the first and most common symptom of bladder cancer. Aside from bleeding, there are a few more signs and symptoms that suggest bladder cancer development:
A person’s risk of acquiring bladder cancer is increased by a number of variables. The following are some of the most important bladder cancer risk factors:
A myriad of testing methods is available for the detection and diagnosis of bladder cancer. The following are some of the most often utilised bladder cancer diagnostic methods:
a. Urinalysis: Urine cytology is performed to look for any abnormal cells that could point towards tumour growth in the bladder. This is not a very effective testing method as it misses many early-stage tumours. Therefore, urine cytology is recommended along with other tests for a conclusive diagnosis.
b. Urine Cytology:Mammography uses low-dose X-rays to detect precancerous and cancerous growth in the breasts. It helps in detecting the smallest tumours that are not detected during breast examinations.
c. Ultrasound: Bladder tumours can also be detected via ultrasound scans. It is a non-invasive method and does not need a contrast medium to be injected.
d. CT scan/MRI: A CT scan or MRI provides comprehensive information on the tumour growth and may find tiny tumours in the bladder that an ultrasound might have missed.
e. Cystoscopy: This is one of the crucial diagnostic methods recommended for bladder cancer. During this procedure, a thin tube-like optical tool that is equipped with a camera and light source is introduced into the bladder through the urethra. The interior surface of the bladder is made visible on a video monitor. Those small tumours that go undetected during other tests are easily detected when a cystoscopy is performed.
f. Biopsy :The biopsy sample may be collected during the cystoscopy. The biopsy sample is further examined under the microscope for the presence of abnormal cells. A biopsy can help specialists in obtaining a definitive diagnosis of bladder cancer.
At HCG, our bladder cancer specialists strive to deliver the best bladder cancer treatment in India via superior quality diagnostic support and innovative treatment approaches.
Bladder cancer can be treated in many ways. However, treatment decisions are made depending on a number of parameters, including the stage, grade and exact location of the tumour along with the overall health condition of the patient.
a. Surgery: Surgery removes the tumour along with a small portion of the healthy tissues surrounding it, called the margin. There are several surgical approaches that specialists use to manage bladder cancer:
Urine diversion, or a new method for urine to be expelled from the body, is required once the bladder is fully removed. Neobladder reconstruction may be considered in these cases. During the procedure, the urethra is connected to a reservoir made from a piece of the patient’s intestine. This neobladder is nearly identical to the original bladder in terms of functionality.
b. Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy employs potent drugs to kill cancer cells. Bladder cancer is treated with a combination of two or more chemo drugs. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously to eliminate any leftover cancer cells, or directly into the bladder to treat superficial bladder cancer, which arises from the lining of the bladder.
c. Radiation Therapy :Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by using intense energy beams, such as X-rays and protons. For better results, radiation therapy is used in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery.
Yes, bladder cancer is one of the few cancers that can be detected in the early stages when it is more easily treatable. There are multiple treatment approaches to treat and manage early to advanced-stage bladder cancers with positive clinical outcomes.
2. Can I live a normal life after bladder cancer?It is not uncommon for survivors to worry about not being able to return to their normal life after their bladder cancer treatment.
Bladder cancers can be challenging, yet, returning to routine activities and continuing to have a normal life is possible. However, the survivors need to keep up their follow-up appointments with their doctors and
follow their expert team’s recommendations.
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for bladder cancer, and it increases one’s risk of getting bladder cancer risk by three times.
Therefore yes, quitting smoking can reduce one’s bladder cancer risk.
No, removing the bladder is not the only treatment option for bladder cancer. Treatment planning is made based on multiple factors such as the stage and grade of the tumour, its size, exact location and the patient’s overall condition.
In the early stages, only the tumour and a small portion of the healthy tissues surrounding it are removed. The surgery may be followed by chemotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
In advanced stages, bladder removal may be recommended in order to improve the survival rates for the patients. The removal may be followed by neobladder reconstruction, wherein a part of the patient’s intestine is
excised to build a reservoir and it is attached to the urethra. Neobladder functions in a similar way to your original bladder.
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