Bladder Cancer

Signs and Symptoms

The following symptoms may indicate bladder cancer, although they can also be associated with other health conditions:

• Blood in the urine, which may cause the urine to appear orange, pink, or dark red.
• Difficulty urinating or a weak urine stream.
• Painful or burning sensation during urination.
• Frequent urination or the feeling of urgency without being able to urinate.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of developing bladder cancer:

• Age: The risk increases with age, with nearly 90% of cases occurring in individuals over 55.
• Family History: A family history of bladder cancer raises the risk, as can certain inherited genetic conditions.
• Personal History: Individuals who have had bladder cancer previously are at a higher risk of recurrence.
• Gender: Men are three to four times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking is a significant risk factor, with smokers being about three times more likely to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers. Approximately half of all cases are linked to smoking.
• Chemical Exposure: Workers in industries such as dye, leather, paint, textiles, and rubber are at higher risk due to exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. Exposure to arsenic in drinking water and certain chemotherapy drugs, like cyclophosphamide, also increases risk. Additionally, long-term use of the diabetes medication pioglitazone hydrochloride may raise the risk.
• Parasites: Infections with certain parasites can increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Bladder Cancer Treatment

Specialists offer advanced treatment options for bladder cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. The treatment approach will depend on the stage of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

In about 90% of cases, treatment involves surgery, often combined with other therapies.

Surgical Treatment

Several surgical options are available, depending on the stage and extent of the cancer. These range from a Transurethral Resection (TUR), which removes small portions of the bladder through a cystoscope, to a Radical Cystectomy, the complete removal of the bladder, typically in advanced cases.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill or damage cancer cells by preventing their growth and division. While radiation therapy alone is less commonly used for bladder cancer, it is often combined with chemotherapy, particularly in stages II-III or recurrent bladder cancer. However, Radical Cystectomy remains the primary treatment for stages II and III bladder cancer.