Bladder Cancer

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Bladder cancer is the most common malignant disease of the genitourinary system in men, and it is four times less common in women. People in the 45-60 age group are most at risk for bladder cancer. Among the reasons, there are long-term contact with aniline dyes and chronic diseases of the bladder - papillomatosis and cystitis. There is also evidence of a direct link between bladder cancer and tobacco smoking.

Types and stages of bladder cancer

The stages of bladder cancer differ in the depth of penetration of the tumor into the organ tissue. On this basis, it is customary to distinguish two groups of cancer: superficial and invasive. The first group includes cancer of the bladder in situ (in situ) and superficial bladder cancer, that is, located within the mucous membrane, the second - cancer of the muscle layer and cancer of the bladder that invades the surrounding tissue. More dangerous are invasive forms of the disease, which are more aggressive and often give metastases.

The following stages of bladder cancer are distinguished:

The tumor is located within the mucous membrane of the bladder.
The tumor invades the muscular wall of the bladder
The tumor invades the adipose tissue and the superficial wall of the bladder.
The tumor grows into neighboring organs: the uterus, the vagina in women, the prostate gland in men, the abdominal wall, pelvic bones.

Bladder cancer symptoms

Like most malignant diseases, bladder cancer can be asymptomatic for a long time. It should be noted that the symptoms of bladder cancer do not always depend on the stage of the tumor process. Sometimes, at a significant stage, there may be no pronounced symptoms of bladder cancer, and at the very first appearance it may turn out that the tumor has reached a significant size and metastases. The earliest and most characteristic symptom of bladder cancer is hematuria, or blood in the urine. The urine acquires an unusual "rusty" color, or the color of meat slops. This symptom does not necessarily indicate bladder cancer, it can be a sign of another disease, but it is always a formidable sign that requires immediate urological examination. The second most common symptom of bladder cancerthis is a frequent urination. As the tumor develops, its decay and the release of decay products into the blood, the general state of health worsens, there is a breakdown, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, and general exhaustion. When a tumor grows in the wall of the bladder, pain appears during urination; in advanced stages of bladder cancer, the pain becomes constant.

Diagnosis of bladder cancer

Two types of tests are used to diagnose bladder cancer: medical imaging and histological examination of a piece of tumor for the presence of malignant cells (biopsy). Of the methods of medical imaging, in this case, the most informative is cystoscopy - examination of the urinary bladder with an endoscope, a thin instrument inserted into the cavity of the organ, which has its own light source and a camera that transmits the image to the monitor. The cystoscope is also equipped with a surgical instrument that allows you to take a piece of bladder tissue in the area of the tumor for laboratory research. If an advanced stage of bladder cancer is suspected, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is done to identify metastases. Bone scintigraphy is used to detect bone metastases.

Bladder cancer treatment

Malignant tumors of the bladder are treated with surgical, therapeutic methods, as well as radiation. Treatment for bladder cancer depends on its stage. In the stage of in situ and superficial cancer, it is possible to carry out a minimally invasive organ-sparing operation - removal of the tumor by the endoscopic method, such an operation is called transurethral resection of the bladder. In the third stage, a partial resection of the bladder is performed, that is, the part of the organ affected by the tumor is removed. If the tumor is extensive, a cystectomy is performed, that is, the entire bladder is removed, followed by plastic surgery - the creation of a new bladder from the intestine. Bladder cancer is also treated with chemotherapy before or after surgery.

In organ-preserving operations, chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the bladder. In other cases, in the treatment of bladder cancer, cytotoxic drugs are administered intravenously. Radiation therapy in the treatment of bladder cancer is used to prevent cancer metastasis and recurrence, before or after surgery, and is very important. Its use in combination with surgery and taking cytostatics gives the best result. In inoperable cases of the fourth stage of bladder cancer, chemotherapy and radiation are used as the main method of treatment aimed at alleviating the patient's condition and reducing pain.

Bladder cancer prognosis

The prognosis of bladder cancer depends largely on the stage of the malignant process at which treatment was started. Oncologists use the concept of five-year survival after treatment. The five-year survival rate for stage 1 and 2 bladder cancer is 88% and 67%, respectively. At the stage of germination of the wall and surrounding tissues, after cystectomy, the five-year survival rate is about 50%. In the stage of germination of neighboring organs, the prognosis is poor. The presence of metastases, especially distant ones, also worsens the prognosis of bladder cancer.

Prevention of bladder cancer

The basis for the prevention of bladder cancer is the observance of safety precautions when working with aniline dyes and other carcinogenic substances in paint and varnish production. Timely access to a doctor, adequate treatment of inflammatory diseases, removal of bladder papillomas, rejection of bad habits, including the habit of urinary retention and adequate fluid intake - these are the preventive measures for bladder cancer that will prevent this formidable disease.

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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!