Bladder cancer is a rare cancer that begins in the bladder’s lining. We have several options for treating bladder cancer, including surgery to remove the malignancy. Proper follow-up ensures that the cancer doesn’t recur post-surgery.
There are three forms of bladder cancer. Each variety is named after the cells that line the wall of your bladder, where the cancer typically begins. Bladder cancer can be transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma of the bladder, or sarcoma.
At ILS Hospitals, bladder cancer treatment is tailored to each patient, utilizing a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Our expert oncologists use advanced diagnostic tools like cystoscopy, CT scans, and biopsy to accurately diagnose and stage the cancer. Based on the type and stage of the disease, we create personalized treatment plans that aim to improve survival rates and quality of life. We provide comprehensive, compassionate care throughout every stage of bladder cancer treatment.
Symptoms
The most prevalent symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, yet it is not the most reliable one. Other conditions can also lead to this problem. However, if you notice the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately :
- Visible blood in your pee (hematuria)
- Pain when you pee (dysuria)
- Frequent urination
- Trouble passing urine
- Persistent bladder infections
Causes
Although the exact cause is not known, there are a number of risk factors you should look out for :
- Cigarette smoke
- Radiation exposure
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Frequent bladder infections
- Chronic catheter use
Diagnosis
We perform urinalysis, cytology, and cystoscopy to diagnose bladder cancer. If results indicate bladder cancer, a few more tests will be carried out for final confirmation.
The disease can be in the early stage (limited to the bladder lining) or aggressive (perforating the bladder wall and potentially spreading to neighbouring organs or lymph nodes).
Stages II to IV denote invasive cancer:
- In Stage II, cancer has spread to the muscle wall of your bladder.
- In Stage III, the cancer has spread to the fatty tissue outside of the bladder muscle.
- Stage IV cancer has metastasised (spread) from the bladder to the lymph nodes, other organs, or bones.
Prevention
Although bladder cancer cannot be prevented, being aware of the risk factors that could raise your likelihood of getting the disease could be beneficial. Cigarette smoking, cancer therapies, exposure to specific chemicals, infections, and prior bladder cancer are all potential risk factors for bladder cancer.
