If detected in its early stages, bladder cancer is highly treatable and can be successfully treated. The cancer develops in the innermost layer of the bladder, where it is constantly in contact with carcinogens that enter the bloodstream and filter through the kidneys. As it progresses, however, the cancer can spread to other parts of the bladder, making it invasive. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. To understand the options, it helps to know more about cancer.
There are several types of bladder cancer. Typically, the most common type is called urothelial carcinoma and accounts for more than 90% of all cases. Depending on its location, it may be invasive or flat. Treatment options for this type of cancer vary. However, they are still treatable. Some of the available treatments depend on whether or not the cancer cells are malignant. If the cancer is benign, however, the patient will likely only need surgery or a combination of surgeries.
Most bladder cancers start in the bladder’s urothelial cells. These cells line the interior wall of the bladder. As they grow, they can invade deeper layers of the bladder, including fatty tissues and thick muscle layers. Squamous cell carcinoma, on the other hand, starts in the muscles of the bladder and is more aggressive than urothelial cancer. While squamous cell cancer is rare, it accounts for five percent of bladder cancers.
Treatment for bladder cancer involves a variety of different treatments. Surgery is the most common treatment option, but some people may choose to undergo chemotherapy instead. This treatment involves boosting the immune system, which can help fight the cancer. One of these treatments is the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, which is often used for tuberculosis. Patients who are diagnosed with bladder cancer should be sure to consider these treatments before they undergo any type of surgery.
Many people are at increased risk for bladder cancer due to their job. People who smoke are up to four times more likely to develop the disease than nonsmokers. Many chemicals commonly found in the dye industry are linked to bladder cancer, including benzene and aromatic amines. Non-manufacturing jobs also increase bladder cancer risk. Taxi and bus drivers, for example, are at risk because they breathe diesel fumes.
When cancer cells develop in the bladder, the tumor can spread to distant organs, including the bones, lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. It is the fourth most common cancer in men and eighth most common in women. People who smoke and have a family history of bladder cancer are at high risk for developing the disease. Treatment options for bladder cancer include surgery and biologic therapy, which boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Smoking and exposure to other types of tobacco smoke are also risk factors. Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens that contact the bladder lining. Smokers are at risk for bladder cancer, and genetics have been linked to increased likelihood. Certain types of radiation in the pelvis, such as chemotherapy, may also increase the risk of bladder cancer. In addition, drinking water with high arsenic content increases risk of bladder cancer. While smoking is a risk factor, many other environmental factors contribute to the occurrence of bladder cancer.
