What Is Bladder Cancer?
Understanding, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder, the organ responsible for storing urine. It is one of the most common cancers, affecting both men and women. Bladder cancer can develop in different layers of the bladder, and there are several types of bladder cancer, including:
Transitional Cell Carcinoma (also known as Urothelial Carcinoma) is the most common type, accounting for the majority of bladder cancer cases. It starts in the cells lining the inside of the bladder and can also affect other parts of the urinary tract.1
Squamous Cell Carcinoma develops in the squamous cells, which are flat cells that can form in response to irritation or infection. Squamous cell carcinoma is less common and often associated with chronic irritation or infections in the bladder.1
Adenocarcinoma is rare and begins in the glandular cells that produce mucus. It typically forms in areas of the bladder that have been replaced by mucus-producing cells, such as after bladder inflammation or long-standing bladder stones.1
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Early detection of bladder cancer is crucial for successful treatment. Common symptoms of bladder cancer may include2:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Frequent urination
- Painful urination (dysuria)
- Pelvic pain
- Back pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with your doctor. They may conduct various diagnostic tests, such as3:
- Urinalysis: A urine sample is analyzed to check for blood and other abnormalities.
- Cystoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the bladder to examine any abnormal areas.
- Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans may be used to get a detailed view of the bladder and surrounding areas.
- Biopsy: If abnormal cells are found, a small sample of tissue may be taken for further examination.
Treatment Options
At Apex Cancer Care, we offer the most experienced multidisciplinary approach to prostate cancer treatment, personalized to each patient’s specific needs.
Surgery
Surgical options, such as radical prostatectomy or minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery, may be considered to remove the prostate gland or cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy
Medications are used to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing and spreading. Chemotherapy can be given before or after surgery, or in cases where surgery is not an option.
Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy is a common approach that can be used to target and destroy cancer cells. We utilize a linear accelerator, which is a new automated technology that enables us to deliver the most accurate treatments possible.
Active Surveillance
For some cases, particularly in early-stage and slow-growing cancers, active surveillance may be recommended, which involves monitoring the cancer’s progression without immediate intervention.
Hormone Therapy
Prostate cancer cells often rely on hormones for growth. Hormone therapy aims to block the effects of hormones on cancer cells or reduce hormone levels to slow down the cancer’s progression.
Immunotherapy
Innovative immunotherapy treatments may be utilized to enhance the body’s immune response against cancer cells.
1American Cancer Society. (n.d.). What is bladder cancer?
Cancer.org. from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bladder-cancer/about/what-is-bladder-cancer.html
2National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Bladder cancer—symptoms. Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/symptoms
3National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Bladder cancer—diagnosis. Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/diagnosis
