When you’re facing a bladder-cancer diagnosis, there are many things to keep in mind. These can be dangerous, but they are also highly treatable. These treatments are based on the type of cancer and what stage the cancer is in. In some cases, bladder cancer may not spread to other parts of the body, making treatment much more effective. In other cases, bladder cancer may spread and recur after treatment. Here are the most important things to keep in mind when considering bladder cancer treatment.
During the initial appointment, your doctor will most likely recommend a chemotherapy treatment. This treatment involves chemotherapy drugs that enter your bloodstream and travel throughout your body. This is called systemic chemotherapy, and is usually given before surgery. However, not everyone is a good candidate for chemotherapy. Certain health conditions or previous treatment for bladder cancer may prevent you from receiving this treatment. Therefore, some people opt to skip chemotherapy before surgery, while others choose not to undergo it altogether. However, if you are diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may still need to have chemotherapy after surgery, depending on your stage.
When you have blood in your urine, see your doctor as soon as possible. While gynecologists and primary care physicians follow their own guidelines, they may not be able to diagnose bladder cancer. It is important to remember that the American Urological Association has specific guidelines for blood in urine. Seeing a urologist, however, is the best option for bladder cancer treatment. This way, you can get the best treatment options possible and avoid any unnecessary treatments.
Some bladder cancer symptoms may be confused with a urinary tract infection. Patients suffering from bladder cancer may experience increased frequency of urination, burning and difficulty while urinating. In addition, they may experience weight loss, fatigue, and weakness, which may also be symptoms of the cancer spreading to other areas of the body. The symptoms of bladder cancer will depend on the stage at which it has spread. When it’s advanced, you may feel unsure about your treatment options.
While there are many risk factors for bladder cancer, smoking tobacco is one of the most important. Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than non-smokers. The chemicals in tobacco smoke pass through the kidneys and collect in the urine, damaging the bladder. Bladder cancer is rare in people under the age of 40. It typically affects people over the age of 65. Asians are the least likely to develop bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer has three main types. One type, transitional cell carcinoma, accounts for ninety percent of cases. The other type, adenocarcinoma, accounts for just one percent. These cancers begin in the urothelial cells that line the urinary tract. In addition to the bladder, the cancer can develop in other parts of the urinary tract. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma, which also accounts for about 10% to 15% of all bladder tumors.
