What is Bladder Cancer ?

Bladder cancer is a frequently occurring cancer that starts in the cells of your bladder. The bladder is a bag-like, muscular organ located in your lower belly area, and it's responsible for holding urine.

Bladder cancer predominantly affects individuals over the age of 55, with a notably higher incidence among men compared to women.

About 75 percent of bladder cancer cases are detected in the superficial stage.

Types of Bladder Cancer :

Bladder tumors can be broadly classified into two categories : benign and malignant.

Benign tumors are non-cancerous growths that typically do not invade surrounding tissues and rarely recur after treatment. In contrast, malignant tumors are cancerous and can regrow even after successful removal. They possess the capacity to invade nearby organs, such as the prostate in men or the uterus in women.

In more severe cases, these cancerous cells can break away from the primary tumor and spread through the bloodstream, leading to the formation of new tumors in different parts of the body, this process is known as metastasis.

Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

• Presence of blood in urine (often appearing as a rusty color).
• Frequent and urgent need to urinate.
• Increased frequency of urination.
• Sensation of needing to urinate without results.
• Straining or discomfort during urination.
• Pain during urination.

It's important to remember that these symptoms could be caused by various health conditions, including infections. If you experience any of these signs, it's crucial to seek timely medical attention. You can consult with Dr. Varun Agarwal for guidance.

Risk Factors of Bladder Cancer

• The most significant risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking which increases with the long-term duration.
• Certain occupational exposures, including industries involving dyes, rubber, paint, metals, textiles, and leather, elevate the risk of bladder cancer.
• Individuals who have undergone cancer treatment with specific drugs, such as cyclophosphamide, or radiation therapy in the abdominal or pelvic region, face a higher risk.
• Bladder cancer risk generally rises with age, with a higher incidence among individuals over 55.
• Some studies suggest that diets lacking sufficient fruits and vegetables may contribute to an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Certain occupations with a higher likelihood of chemical exposure include dry cleaners, painters, autoworkers, truck drivers, paper manufacturers, metal workers, plumbers, hairdressers, tire and rubber workers, and chemical and petroleum workers.

Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer

Diagnostic tests is done to confirm the presence of bladder cancer or determine its extent which include:

• Urine Cytology : to identify cancer cells in urine directly collected from the bladder.
• Ultra-sonography : initial screening investigation to detect the presence of tumour
• CT-Scan : to detect the exact details of the tumour including it's size, number, location, dimensions along with presence of lymph nodes & extent of spread in the body.
• Cystoscopy: In this procedure, a thin, illuminated tube called a cystoscope is used to directly inspect the interior of the bladder. Local anesthesia may be necessary, as the cystoscope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder.
• Biopsy: A cystoscope can also be utilized to extract tissue samples for examination by a pathologist. Biopsy is often the most definitive method to confirm the presence of cancer