when treatment can be difficult or impossible. If you have certain risk factors for the condition, your doctor may suggest periodic screening tests. If you notice any changes in your urinary habits or the color of your urine, you should see a doctor for a diagnosis. Symptoms of bladder cancer may not be obvious until the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs.
Early detection can make a big difference in survival. Detecting cancer in its early stages is crucial to your chances of recovery. While cancers in the early stages are less likely to spread, high-grade tumors are more likely to recur or progress to distant organs. Treatment options will differ for each stage. Although it is difficult to know the outlook for each type of bladder cancer, early detection will greatly increase the chances of recovery.
While early detection is the best way to prevent bladder cancer, it is never too late to get a diagnosis. While most forms of cancer have metastasized, the cancer cells in the bladder wall are most vulnerable to becoming cancerous. Different types of cancer are named after their cell type. While some types of bladder cancer spread to lymph nodes, others remain within the bladder, not spreading to other organs. The cancer cells that grow in a cancerous state may be benign or malignant.
Although the exact cause of bladder cancer is still unclear, there are a few factors that are thought to be connected to the development of the disease. For instance, there is a genetic component. Changes in the bladder’s DNA may turn on genes that control the function of the cell. Those genes may turn on oncogenes, or tumor-causing genes, while others control the function of the body’s cells. Genetics may be passed from parents or acquired from certain risk factors.
Treatment of bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the extent of the tumor. If the tumor is not deeply invasive, radiation therapy may be the most effective treatment. However, the side effects of radiation therapy include increased susceptibility to infection and nausea. Patients will also have decreased white blood cell count, easy bruising, and tingling. They may even experience impotence. This treatment is not for everyone. But if you are diagnosed with bladder cancer, it is imperative to get the best treatment available.
After the TURBT procedure, your doctor may use intravenous chemotherapy through a catheter. This treatment may also include Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. This vaccine stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells. Alternatively, you may opt for an urostomy in which the urinary tract is bypassed. These are the most common treatments for bladder cancer. So, if you suspect that you have cancer, see a doctor for a diagnosis.
