Surgical procedures, including transurethral resection of the tumour (TURBT), may help to reduce the risk of cancer returning. Other treatments may include chemotherapy drugs and vaccinations against Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).
Some individuals may be at increased risk of developing bladder cancer if they have genetic mutations. Inherited genetic predispositions have been associated with about seven percent of cases. These mutations may also occur in individuals who are exposed to a certain type of carcinogen. Genetic predispositions to the disease have also been linked with bladder cancer. This article will outline the various risk factors for bladder cancer. The risks for each type of cancer are based on the person’s genetic make-up.
In men, the risk of bladder cancer is higher than for women. In men, more than half of new cases occur in those 75 and older. While women are more likely to develop bladder cancer, men are at an increased risk because they smoke. Historically, men were more likely to work in the manufacturing industry. In both genders, the risk of developing bladder cancer is increased by exposure to cyclophosphamide, arsenic, and parasitic infections.
Occupational exposure is the second-highest preventable risk factor for bladder cancer. Chemicals, such as tobacco smoke, can cause bladder cancer, so precautions should be taken to limit exposure to these agents. Chemical exposure is most common among workers in industrial settings, where chemicals are used on a daily basis. Occupational exposures also increase mortality. Firefighters, gardeners, and farmers, for example, have a lower risk of developing bladder cancer than people in other occupational fields.
Various research programs are currently underway to determine the best treatments for patients with bladder cancer. One such initiative is the bladder cancer genome atlas, which analyzed the genetic makeup of 131 muscle-invasive urothelial carcinomas. The aim of this project was to better understand the mechanisms behind the tumor growth and identify agents that can target those mutations. Other bladder cancer clinical trials are evaluating alternative methods of treatment, such as surgery, radiation, or surveillance schedules.
One of the most important factors in developing bladder cancer is cigarette smoking. Research shows that smokers are at a 2-to-3-fold higher risk than nonsmokers. These substances accumulate in urine and are filtered by the kidneys. As the body processes the urine, the filtered chemicals can damage the bladder wall cells, causing cancer. It is important to note that the risk for bladder cancer is largely age-related, which means that the early detection of the disease may be crucial.
While a high percentage of bladder cancers is asymptomatic, early diagnosis and treatment is the best method of curating it. Surgical treatment for bladder cancer is based on invasive surgery or resection of the tumor. Most patients who have bladder cancer are treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical treatment may include intravesicular cytotoxic therapy. Surgical resection of the tumor may involve transurethral resection.
