The treatment for bladder cancer will include chemotherapy. The treatment will usually start with several days of consecutive chemotherapy, followed by a break of a few weeks and then repeated for several months. Chemotherapy treatments will often involve chemotherapy medication that is injected directly into the bloodstream. This type of treatment can have side effects, but should stop after a few weeks. Patients should schedule follow-up appointments to ensure their disease has not returned. After the treatment, the patient should expect to experience periodic cystoscopy examinations.
Depending on the stage of the cancer, patients may receive radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is a form of treatment that involves the use of radio waves or a magnet to produce detailed images. X-rays and bone scans can also be performed to detect whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body. These tests are performed selectively. The results of the tests will determine the course of treatment for a person with bladder cancer.
Cystoscopic examination of the urinary tract is often the first step in diagnosing bladder cancer. A lighted telescope is inserted into the urinary tract, where a biopsy is taken. The pathologist will examine the tissue sample for signs of cancer. A local anesthetic gel is injected into the urethra before the procedure. In some cases, the tumor may be removed for more detailed staging. A repeat cystoscopy may also be recommended.
The stages of bladder cancer are classified according to their severity. Depending on the stage, the cancer may spread to the bladder’s muscle wall, the fatty tissue surrounding it, the lymph nodes, and/or the bones. Invasive cancers can spread to other organs and tissues, as well. A bladder tumor that is T2 or higher is considered muscle-invasive. When it spreads to other parts of the body, it may become metastatic.
The primary risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking, which accounts for fifty to sixty percent of cases. Environmental exposure to carcinogenic chemicals is another major risk factor. The prevalence of bladder cancer is growing in the developing world and is largely caused by a protozoal infection, schistosomiasis. The second risk factor is environmental exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, which contributes to about 81% of cases. Prevention strategies include quitting smoking and improving diet.
The survival rate for bladder cancer is 77.1% in the US. This rate is higher if the disease is caught early, but drops to forty-three percent when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. However, the risk of developing bladder cancer is still higher in people who have a uterus connection. This connection connects the bladder to the belly button. This connection between the bladder and the abdomen is also prone to becoming cancerous.
While there are several risk factors for developing bladder cancer, some of them are genetic. People with a family history of the disease are at a higher risk. Another factor is Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Individuals with Lynch syndrome are at a higher risk for bladder cancer and other types of cancer. If you have a family history of bladder cancer, it is important to seek medical attention for any potential symptoms.
