Dr Varinder Attri – Urologist, Andrologist and Laparoscopic surgeon

Bladder is a hollow organ in body that stores urine. Both kidneys drains it’s urine via hollow pipes called ureter into the bladder. The function of bladder in body is to stores urine and evacuate it at regular time interval by urination.

May month is observed worldwide as the bladder cancer awareness month. In this post, we will go through the basic information regarding bladder cancer and it’s prevention.

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is the cancer arsing from the inner lining cells of the bladder. It’s prevalence is more in men as compared to women.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in urine (hematuria). This blood in urine can cause urine to appear red or cola coloured and patients can pass blood clots along with it. Bleeding in urine can be present in nearly 95% of patients having bladder cancer. Read various causes of Hematuria

Beside this, patient can have burning micturition, frequent urination, loin pain etc. In cases, in which the cancer has advanced, symptoms of back pain, lower limb swelling, weight loss etc can be present. Read how symptoms are different from prostate cancer Prostate cancer

What are the risks factors of developing bladder cancer ?

Tobacco smoking is the most common single attributable factors leading to bladder cancer.

Exposure to certain chemicals in industries such as arsenic, paints, dyes, rubber, leather etc increases the risk of bladder cancer.

Prior radiation to pelvis region increase risk of getting bladder cancer

Family history of bladder cancer in certain individual can increase risk of bladder cancer

Chronic cystitis (secondary to stone or other reasons) can cause formation of squamous cell carcinoma in long run.

Besides these factors, increasing age and men are prone to get this cancer.

How to diagnose bladder cancer ?

Once patient present to urologist with their complaint, initial ultrasound assessment gives us the gross picture that what’s wrong inside the urinary tract. If it shows some mass in bladder, the same can be assessed with either cystoscopy or sometimes CT or MRI is being done. Urine sample is also sent sometimes to look for abnormal cancer cells in it.

Once mass is confirmed in bladder, it’s resection is done using endoscopic technique called TURBT (Trans urethral resection of bladder tumor) and complete check up of bladder inner lining is done to rule out any other tumor inside.

The resected sample is sent for examination and the cancer diagnosis is established.

What is the treatment for bladder cancer ?

Once bladder cancer diagnosis is made, the extent of its spread is determined by CT / MRI or recently PET scan. Further treatment of bladder cancer is based on stage of bladder cancer. Regular check up is of utmost important in any stage of bladder cancer.

If the bladder tumor was superficial, it’s resection can be sufficient in few cases. In other cases, drug therapy or immunotherapy into the bladder is given at regular intervals.

If the tumor was deep, complete removal of bladder is done. Patient may need chemotherapy along with it.

Once the cancer spreads to other body parts, options of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy exist.

What are preventive ways for bladder cancer development ?

Avoid smoking

Follow all safety guidelines if working in chemical industries

Add lots of antioxidant containing fruits and vegetables in your diet

If there is familial history of certain cancer, get yourself evaluated by doctor.

Read how to maintain good urological health at Ten tips to improve urological health

Whom to consult if there is blood in urine or bladder mass in ultrasound ?

Meet your nearby urologist if having such symptoms or finding on USG.