General Information About Bladder Cancer
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a malignancy where the cells lining the inner surface of the balloon-shaped organ (the bladder) that stores urine filtered from the kidneys transform into cancer and grow into the lumen or the muscle tissue of the organ.
By far the greatest enemy and cause is SMOKING! Carcinogenic substances in tobacco pass from the lungs into the blood, are filtered by the kidneys, and pool in the bladder with the urine for hours. Because the inner lining of the bladder is in continuous contact with these toxic chemicals, it begins to generate cancer cells.
The most alarming and important symptom of the disease is the sudden appearance of visible, bright red, tea-, or cola-colored BLOOD IN THE URINE without any pain or burning (Painless Hematuria). Even if it bleeds once and returns to normal for months, this is an essential alarm that must never be ignored.
Bladder cancer is divided into two stages: If the cancer is only located in the mucosa lining the surface of the bladder (Superficial - Non-muscle invasive), it is easily scraped out and cured with closed surgery. However, if the cancer has taken root in the deep MUSCLE LAYER of the bladder, a risk of spreading (metastasis) to the lymph nodes and lungs arises, requiring removal of the entire bladder.
Cauliflower-like masses inside the bladder are seen via ultrasound. The definitive diagnosis is established through a Cystoscopy procedure. The urologist inserts a thin led-light scope with a camera through the urinary opening to examine the inside of the bladder in HD quality and obtains a tissue sample (biopsy) from the mass.
At an Early Stage (TUR-B): Entering through the urinary tract, the cancerous mass is scraped off from the inside using electricity/laser (without creating an open wound). To prevent recurrence of the disease, chemotherapy solutions are instilled directly into the bladder.
At an Advanced Stage (Muscle-Invasive): A Radical Cystectomy is performed to save the patient's life; meaning the bladder and surrounding lymph nodes are completely removed. To replace the removed bladder, a new urinary reservoir (Neobladder) is created using a segment of the patient's own small intestine, allowing the patient to urinate through the natural pathway, or the urine is diverted to a pouch (stoma) on the abdominal wall.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
