Surgery for bladder cancer can be performed using different types of technology, such as a CT scan and MRI. CT scans use a computer and x-ray machine to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body. A small dye is injected into a vein or swallowed to help organs show up better on the x-ray. Both CT scan and MRI are used to stage bladder cancer and to determine the location and extent of the cancer.
While chemotherapy may be an effective treatment for many forms of bladder cancer, it is not as effective in treating some types. A doctor must determine the type of cancer before deciding how to proceed. In some cases, a doctor may recommend an alternative treatment. Aside from surgery, bladder cancer may be treated with chemotherapy. Patients with these less common types of the disease may be better candidates for this type of treatment. However, cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer and how advanced it is.
A doctor may recommend a course of treatment to help relieve the symptoms. Chemotherapy can be combined with surgery and radiation therapy. The aim of these treatments is to control the cancer and alleviate symptoms. Patients with bladder cancer may undergo chemotherapy alone or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy. Several other treatments are available. These treatments may include immunotherapy, surgery, or other forms of treatment. But none of them guarantee a cure. A physician should always consult a urologist before beginning any treatment.
Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer. Blood in the urine may appear in small amounts and be red or brown. The patient may have a single or two instances of blood in the urine. Other symptoms include burning during the passage of urine, frequent urination, and pain while passing urine. If you suspect you have bladder cancer, visit a doctor immediately. You may also experience pain in the pelvis or back, and you may lose your appetite.
Men are four times more likely than women to develop bladder cancer. The risk of developing this disease is high in people with certain genetic changes. Radiation to the pelvis, certain anticancer drugs, and exposure to parasitic infections may increase the risk. Other potential risk factors include drinking arsenic or cyclophosphamide-containing water. In addition, some herbs can increase the risk of bladder cancer in a person.
There are two primary types of bladder cancer. Urothelial cell carcinoma accounts for 80-90% of all bladder cancers and is also known as transitional cell cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the squamous cells of the bladder. Squamous cell carcinoma is rarer than urothelial cell carcinoma and is much less aggressive. Invasive forms of bladder cancer include small cell carcinoma, plasmacytoid carcinoma, and microppillary cancer.
