If you suspect that you have bladder cancer, it’s important to have it evaluated by a physician. Bladder cancers are classified by stage, which describes their growth. Stage 1 is characterized by superficial tumors, and stage 2 and 3 are characterized by invasive cancer.
Symptoms of bladder cancer can include blood in your urine, burning when urinating, and very little urination. A biopsy can help your doctor determine the type of treatment you need. Depending on its location and size, your doctor may recommend a surgical treatment or radiation therapy. While treatment may vary from case to case, early symptoms may include a change in the color of your urine. A doctor may recommend a urological procedure to diagnose bladder cancer.
Treatment for advanced bladder cancer usually involves surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is only recommended when other treatment options are inadequate. It’s also common for cancer cells to spread outside the bladder, which may make the disease more aggressive. Patients usually undergo chemotherapy before surgery, or they may receive chemotherapy before the surgery. In advanced stages, however, a full recovery is unlikely. A cancerous cell in another part of the body (called metastatic cancer) may be inoperable.
While some bladder cancers do not spread to the bladder, patients with the disease can still benefit from additional support. In addition to visiting a doctor, a nurse will help patients cope with their new condition. A nurse will help with continence problems, and a stomal therapist can help with bowel and bladder movements. A nurse will also help patients with bladder cancer. If a patient has difficulty coping with the side effects of the surgery, a nurse will refer them to a psychologist or a counselor.
Transurethral cystoscopy is used to diagnose, stage, and treat advanced bladder cancer. This procedure involves inserting a cystoscope through the urethra and removing the entire tumor. A CT scan of the abdomen and chest x-ray may be used to determine the extent of the cancer, and a chest x-ray will be taken to check for lymph node involvement. A repeat cystoscopy is recommended for patients who have advanced bladder cancer.
While no one knows exactly what causes bladder cancer, there are several known risk factors. The most common risk factor is smoking, but other factors can also increase your risk. Inflammatory diseases and certain medications may also increase your risk for bladder cancer. Smoking is the biggest risk factor, but you may be unaware of these factors. Smoking, arsenic, and certain drugs used for treating other diseases can increase your risk. A cancerous tumor that spreads to the lungs and lymph nodes is called “metastatic cancer.”
Radiation therapy is another treatment for bladder cancer. Unlike surgery, radiation therapy involves a series of treatments. In radiation therapy, high-energy radiation is delivered from outside the body. It is usually given in thirty-minute sessions over several weeks. This is less aggressive than surgery, but can still be effective in killing cancer cells that have spread to the muscular wall of the bladder. However, it is still important to remember that this type of treatment is only one of several options available to you.
