What
Are the Symptoms and Causes of Bladder Cancer?
What Is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is a disease that affects the
bladder, an elastic organ that is responsible for storing urine that
is released by the kidneys. It is the fifth most common type of cancer
in the U.S. and when diagnosed in the early stages, it is highly
treatable.
There are several types of bladder cancer, some being more common then
others. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial
carcinoma, accounting for about 90% of bladder cancer cases. The
remaining types of bladder cancer are considered rare. They include
squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma,
leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, and, melanoma.
Bladder Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Although researchers cannot pinpoint the exact
causes of bladder cancer, several risk factors for the disease have
been identified. The greatest risk factor for developing bladder
cancer is smoking. When people smoke, the carcinogens are absorbed
into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Our blood is then filtered
by the kidneys and the waste is then converted in urine, which is
released to the bladder to exit our body. Unfortunately, the
carcinogens from the tobacco remain in the urine and damage the cells
in our bladder, potentially causing cancer.
We also know that occupational exposure to certain chemicals increases
our risk of bladder cancer. Chemicals used in making dyes is strongly
associated to the development of bladder cancer. Chemicals called
aromatic amines at factories that produce leather, rubber, paint, and
other products are also suspected.
We also know that hair stylists, painters, those who work at printing
factories, and truck drives also develop bladder cancer more commonly
than those who work in other industries.
At this time, researchers don't know exactly
what causes bladder cancer. They have identified several bladder
cancer risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases the
chance that you may develop a disease.
Known risk factors for bladder cancer include:
Second hand smoke exposure
Race (Caucasians develop the disease more
frequently)
Gender (males develop the disease more
frequently than females
Family history of bladder cancer
A diet that is high in saturated fat
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Recurrent urinary stones
Chronic inflammation of the bladder
Cigarette smoking (smoking is attributed to
more than half of cases of bladder cancer)
Infection of a parasite called schistosoma
haematobium
External beam radiation
Use of Aristolochia fangchi ( an herb used
frequently in weigh loss products)
Bladder Cancer: Who's at Risk?
No one knows the exact causes of bladder
cancer. However, it is clear that this disease is not contagious. No
one can "catch" cancer from another person.
People who get bladder cancer are more likely
than other people to have certain risk factors. A risk factor is
something that increases a person's chance of developing the disease.
Still, most people with known risk factors do
not get bladder cancer, and many who do get this disease have none of
these factors. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets this
cancer and another does not.
Studies have found the following risk factors
for bladder cancer:
Age. The chance of getting bladder
cancer goes up as people get older. People under 40 rarely get this
disease.
Tobacco. The use of tobacco is a
major risk factor. Cigarette smokers are two to three times more
likely than nonsmokers to get bladder cancer. Pipe and cigar smokers
are also at increased risk.
Occupation. Some workers have a
higher risk of getting bladder cancer because of
carcinogens in the workplace.
Workers in the rubber, chemical, and leather industries are at risk.
So are hairdressers, machinists, metal workers, printers, painters,
textile workers, and truck drivers.
Infections. Being infected with
certain parasites increases the risk of bladder cancer. These
parasites are common in tropical areas but not in the United States.
Treatment with cyclophosphamide or
arsenic. These drugs are used to treat cancer and some other
conditions. They raise the risk of bladder cancer.
Race. Whites get bladder cancer twice
as often as African Americans and Hispanics. The lowest rates are
among Asians.
Being a man. Men are two to three
times more likely than women to get bladder cancer.
Family history. People with family
members who have bladder cancer are more likely to get the disease.
Researchers are studying changes in certain genes that may increase
the risk of bladder cancer.
Personal history of bladder cancer.
People who have had bladder cancer have an increased chance of
getting the disease again.
Chlorine is added to water to make it safe to
drink. It kills deadly bacteria. However, chlorine by-products
sometimes can form in chlorinated water. Researchers have been
studying chlorine by-products for more than 25 years. So far, there is
no proof that chlorinated water causes bladder cancer in people.
Studies continue to look at this question.
Some studies have found that saccharin, an
artificial sweetener, causes bladder cancer in animals. However,
research does not show that saccharin causes cancer in people.
People who think they may be at risk for
bladder cancer should discuss this concern with their doctor. The
doctor may suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate
schedule for checkups.
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Symptoms of bladder cancer include:
blood in the urine )either seen by naked eye
or microscopically
painful urination
frequent urination
Diagnosing Bladder Cancer
If a doctor suspects that something may be wrong with
the bladder, one of the first tests done will be a urine culture and urinalysis.
Your doctor will want to see if an infection is the underlying cause of
symptoms. A urine culture looks for the presence of bacteria in the urine, while
urinalysis checks for the presence of blood. Note: If you are being treated for
a urinary tract infection or cystitis and are not feeling better after taking
all of your medication, it is important that you let your doctor know.
Your doctor may also want to check your urine for the presence of tumor markers,
proteins that are increased in the urine of people with bladder cancer.
Another test used is diagnosing bladder cancer is urine cytology. In this test,
a sample of your urine is screened for abnormal cells. These cells are then
looked at under the microscope to screen for cancer. While it may sound like a
non-invasive way to easily diagnose bladder cancer, it isn't. The test is known
for false-negatives and false positives.
If bladder cancer is suspected, then the doctor will want to get a better look
at your bladder. This can be achieved through a cystoscopy, a procedure where
the doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube equipped with a microscopic camera into
the urethra to the bladder. The camera projects live feed to a monitor allowing
the doctor to see see inside the bladder. If any suspicious areas are found, a
biopsy can be done during a cystoscopy. A biopsy is the removal of small amount
of bladder tissue to be examined further for the presence of cancer. It is the
only way to confirm if cancer is present.
Bladder Cancer Treatment
Once bladder cancer is confirmed and the type and stage
have been identified, a treatment plan is developed. Treatment depends on the
type and stage of bladder cancer, as well as general health.
Surgery is the most common type of treatment for bladder cancer. Surgery can be
as minor as removing small superficial tumors during a cystoscopy to surgery to
remove the entire bladder (cystectomy). Surgery may be done alone or in
conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation.
Chemotherapy may be recommended for both early and advanced stages of bladder
cancer, but they may be administered differently. Chemotherapy treatment for
those with early stage bladder cancer is delivered directly into the bladder.
This is called intravesical chemotherapy. More advanced cases of bladder cancer
that have spread to beyond the bladder are treated by standard intravenous (IV)
chemotherapy.This type of treatment uses certain types high energy beams of
radiation to shrink tumors or eliminate cancer cells.
Radiation therapy can be prescribed to treat the disease and also to ease
symptoms caused by the bladder cancer (palliatively). This type of treatment
uses certain types high energy beams of radiation to shrink tumors or eliminate
cancer cells. Radiation therapy works by damaging a cancer cell's DNA, making it
unable to multiply. Although radiation therapy can damage nearby healthy cells,
cancer cells are highly sensitive to radiation and typically die when treated.
Healthy cells that are damaged during radiation are resilient and are often able
to fully recover.
Preventing Bladder Cancer
Unfortunately, there are no proven methods that
guarantee prevention of bladder cancer. By avoiding what risk factors we can for
bladder cancer, we may be able to reduce our chances of developing it.
Quit Smoking or Don't Start. Smoking is the
number one risk factor for bladder cancer. As soon as you quit (it's never too
late!), your body reaps the benefits of being tobacco free. Quitting smoking is
one of your best defenses against bladder cancer. Need help kicking the habit?
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Be Aware of Your Workplace Chemical Exposure. If you are exposed to
fumes, dust and chemicals in the workplace, you have a right to know what you
are being exposed to. Talk to your employer about limiting your exposure.
Drink Plenty of Fluids. Some studies suggest that keeping well hydrated
may reduce your risk of developing bladder cancer. The more liquids you intake,
the less time toxic substance remain in the system, potentially causing damage.
Tests Commonly Used To Diagnose
Bladder Cancer Urine Culture
A Urine culture is usually ordered first to rule out infection. A sample of
urine is taken, either by the patient giving a sample, or by catheter. The
sample is then sent to a pathology lab.
Urine Cytology
This test looks for cancer cells in urine. A sample of urine is given, and then
sent to a lab for further examination.
Cystoscopy
A cystoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor inserts a lighted tube that has a
tiny camera attached into the bladder through the urethra. The tool used in this
procedure is called a cystoscope. The image from the cystoscope is projected on
a monitor, allowing the doctor to see the bladder thoroughly. A cystoscopy is
done under local anesthesia.
Biopsy
If anything abnormal is found during a cystoscopy, a biopsy is done. During a
biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed for further examination.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests allow a physician to visualize organs either on a monitor or on
films. These tests can include: a CT scan, bone scan, x-rays, MRI, and
ultrasounds.
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Bladder cancer is a disease that affects the
bladder, an elastic organ that is responsible for storing urine that
is released by the kidneys. It is the fifth most common type of cancer
in the U.S. and when diagnosed in the early stages, it is highly
treatable. 
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