There are many diagnostic procedures for bladder cancer, including cystoscopy and surgery. These procedures usually involve local anesthetic and can be performed at your physician’s office or at the hospital. During the procedure, a physician may inject a contrast dye into a vein or catheter to outline the bladder and associated organs. This dye makes tumors visible on an X-ray, making it possible for the doctor to accurately diagnose your condition. Additionally, ultrasound and CT scans may also be performed to determine the size of the cancer and whether it has spread to other areas of the body.
Transurethral resection is a popular option for early-stage bladder cancer. A thin lighted tube called a cystoscope is inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. Once inside, a tool with a small loop attached is used to scrape the cancer from the bladder wall. High-energy electricity is then used to burn the cancer away. This surgery is effective in removing the cancer and ensuring that the rest of the bladder remains healthy.
Other forms of bladder cancer include TCCs and sarcomas, which develop in the muscle cells of the bladder. Both TCCs and sarcomas are treated the same way, although chemotherapy may be more effective in treating the rarer types of bladder cancer. However, treatment for these cancers may differ. The tumors in the bladder wall are composed of several layers. Each layer contains different types of cells. Depending on the type of cancer, your doctor may recommend treatment that targets the type of cancer.
One of the greatest risk factors for bladder cancer is smoking tobacco. Research suggests that people who smoke cigarettes are two to three times more likely to develop this type of cancer than those who do not smoke. Tobacco smoke contains chemicals that are absorbed into the blood and excreted in urine. As a result, smoking causes a cancer-causing mutation in the cell that lines the bladder. Most people with bladder cancer are older than 40, but Asians and Caucasians have the lowest risk.
Chemotherapy is a type of drug therapy that is commonly used for bladder cancer. This treatment is used to kill rapidly multiplying cells and slow their reproduction. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered intravenously through a vein or in the ureter. These treatments may be administered alone or with other procedures, such as surgery and radiation. If a tumor does not respond to one type of treatment, chemotherapy may be your only option.
It is important to note that bladder cancer is very treatable. If caught in its early stages, the survival rate is over ninety percent. However, if you develop the disease later, your chances of survival decrease to just 15 percent. There are also treatments available for all stages of bladder cancer, so it is important to discuss your treatment options with your doctor. There are many lifestyle changes that can reduce the chances of getting bladder cancer. So, if you or someone you love is suffering from bladder cancer, don’t wait any longer.
