Written by Onyiyechi Roseline Agwu

Main Points

• Bladder cancer mostly affects elderly men (average age ~73) and is rare below 50 years.

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• Key symptoms include painless blood in urine, difficulty urinating, pelvic pain, and urinary retention.

• Major risk factors are smoking, chemical exposure, chronic bladder infections (e.g., schistosomiasis), bladder stones, and family history.

• Diagnosis and prognosis depend on early detection through tests like cystoscopy, scans, and biopsy; outcomes are better with early treatment.

• Treatment and care involve surgery (mainstay), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a multidisciplinary medical team with ongoing follow-up.

 

What is Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer is of the cancers that can occur in the genital tract. It usually occurs in the elderly age group with average of age around 73 years and it is rarely below 50years. It is more common in men compared to women.

What are the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?

The symptoms of bladder cancer include:

• Blood in urine, known as hematuria.
• Difficulty passing urine.
• Pain in the pelvis.
• Retention of urine. Etc

What are the Risk Factors of Bladder Cancer?

The following factors can increase the risk for bladder cancer:

• Smoking: There are over 70 chemicals in tobacco and cigarettes. These chemicals can affect cell growth and lead to rapid cell proliferation, This causes tumors to grow and these tumors lead to cancers. Nearly 50% of bladder cancers are associated with smoking.
• Work that includes exposure to paint, dyes, arsenic etc. This is another notable risk factor for cancer. This is because they contain Benzidine, a powerful carcinogen.
• Bladder infection on account of exposure to rivers infected with Schistosomia hematoniu: There are clear links between bladder cancer and Schistomiasis. Schistomiasis leads to chronic irritation and inflammation in the bladder. This then leads to premalignant lesions and then making the premalignant lesions now malignant.
• Chronic bladder stones.
• Genetic predisposition. As with other cancers, there is a genetic component to Bladder Cancer. There is an increased risk of contracting bladder cancer when there is a family history of it.

DIAGNOSIS

Certain tests are used to diagnose Bladder Cancer. These tests include:

Cytoscopy: This test is a procedure in which a cytoscope is inserted into the Urethra to enable the doctor check for abnormal areas in the bladder and urethra.

Biopsy: This involves the removal of a sample of cells or tissue to be examined in the lab.

Urine Tumor Marker Test: This involves testing the urine of the patient for chemicals that are produced by tumors or by the body in response to a tumor.

Computed Tomography: This involves taking a series of pictures of the urinary tract with the aid of a contrast.

PROGNOSIS

The prognosis of bladder Cancer is dependent on some factors. In cases where it is discovered early, there is a high chance of survival. If discovered late, and the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, then the chances of survival go down. Survival rates also go up if the patient has a good state of health. Another factor is the age of the patient. Younger patients are often able to withstand the strain of more aggressive treatments while those older in age may not be able to do so.

PREVENTION

Smoking is highly related to bladder cancer, therefore quitting smoking is helping.

Using protective equipment in a work environment exposed frequently to harsh chemicals.

Identifying familiar history and screening for early detection will be helpful.

 

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the aggressiveness of the cancer.

• Surgery (main stay)
• Chemotherapy.
• Radiotherapy.

It is important to note that care and follow up with managing doctors is very important.

It is multiple disciplinary team care and doctors will include:

• Urologist
• Radiologists
• Oncologists
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologists
• Nursing team
• Support groups etc

The prospect of hiring a qualified team may seem confusing and sound very expensive. But there is an easy way to get the care you need at reasonable prices. Yo can book consultations with DoctorOnTap, hire qualifed caregivers, and if you need to travel for treatment, DoctorOnTap facilitates medical tourism. We provide support before, during and after your treatment.

NOTE

Although, it is  common in the elderly age group, large volume of blood in the urine that is painless is concerning and needs to be investigated. Prolonged genital tract infections should not be  neglected. However, unless proper investigations are carried out, Bladder cancer cannot be diagnosed blindly. Hence it is important to be seen by professionals and specialists to be cared for properly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can it occur in young people?

Although not common in young people, it can also happen in rare cases

Do people recover from bladder cancer?

Yes. It depends on how aggressive or how early it is detected. Also access to necessary care and medications can be beneficial.

Can it occur in women?

Yes, although it is more common in men.

Do all smokers end up with bladder cancer?

No but there is a strong association between smoking for a long period and developing bladder cancer.

Further Reading

Prostate Cancer is another form of cancer that men need to take proactive steps to prevent. To learn more about it and see how you can prevent it, this article is a great place to start. Read Prostrate with Prostate Problems: The Cancer Men Can’t Ignore

REFRENCES

1. EMedicine Medscape. (n.d.). Bladder Cancer Overview. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/438262-overview

2. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Bladder Cancer — Causes & Risk Factors. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/causes-risk-factors

3. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Bladder Cancer — Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/diagnosis

4. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Bladder Cancer — Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/treatment

5. Ploeg, M., Aben, K. K. H., & Kiemeney, L. A. L. M. (2012). The present and future burden of urinary bladder cancer in the world. PMC3388449, section 7. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3388449/#sec7

6. Pryor, J. (n.d.). Bladder Cancer — Epidemiology and Pathophysiology. PMC88908, section 20. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC88908/#sec20

7. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Bladder Cancer — Survival Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/survival