However, fortunately, the disease is highly treatable and can be successfully treated if detected at an early stage. Your doctor will use the TNM staging system to determine the stage of the disease, which refers to the size and extent of the tumor as well as the presence of nearby lymph nodes. In most cases, bladder cancer will be detected at an early stage, so there’s no need to worry about this diagnosis.
If the tumor is located in the bladder, the doctor will likely perform a resection surgery using a resectoscope. After this, the removed tissue is sent to a pathology lab to be analyzed. Once the tumor has been removed, the doctor may attempt to destroy any remaining cancer cells by burning the area with an electrical current. Other options for treatment include chemotherapy, which is administered through a catheter or inserted into the bladder.
Radiation cystectomy – During this operation, your surgeon will remove the entire bladder and lymph nodes, as well as part of the urethra. Sometimes, the cancer may also spread to nearby organs, including lymph nodes. A small piece of bowel is removed along with the bladder to serve as a urinary reservoir, called a stoma. The patient will have a bag attached to the stoma, which will collect urine and will have to be emptied as needed.
Stage 4 of bladder cancer is often diagnosed when the original tumor has spread to nearby organs. The disease may have spread to distant organs as well. A standard treatment for stage 4 bladder cancer is chemotherapy. This drug helps slow down the growth of cancer cells but affects healthy cells. Side effects from chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. These symptoms will generally go away when the treatment has finished. However, some people may experience tingling or numbness in their hands or feet.
Other symptoms of bladder cancer include increased frequency or urgency of urination, fever, and night sweats. Men may experience pain when urinating, bone pain, and a loss of appetite. Smoking and exposure to chemicals are the leading causes of bladder cancer, and up to 60 percent of all cases are caused by cigarette smoking. When combined with the symptoms, these signs may be difficult to diagnose without a doctor’s help.
During follow-up care after treatment, it’s important to stay on top of your health. Your doctor will discuss the risk of recurrence during follow-up appointments. Continue to consult with your doctor for any new symptoms you may have, including pain. Remember, bladder cancer is curable when caught early. And, as long as you follow up care, your doctor will keep a close eye on your condition. And if you do have symptoms, your doctor can monitor the progress of the disease and offer new treatment options.
If a cystoscopy shows any suspicious lesions, you should undergo further testing to rule out other causes of the problem. Urine cytology is a diagnostic test that examines samples of urine under a microscope to determine whether or not you have cancer. Your doctor will also look for any unusual cells in the urine. Afterward, he or she may perform other tests that will determine if bladder cancer has spread. If the test shows evidence of cancer, your doctor will decide to proceed with further treatment.
