Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer Service

Bladder cancer is a cancerous tumor in the bladder.

Causes

• Cigarette smoking.
• Chemical exposure at work. Dye workers, rubber workers, aluminum workers, leather workers, truck drivers, and pesticide applicators are at the highest risk..
• Radiation and chemotherapy. Women who received radiation therapy for the treatment of cervical cancer have an increased risk of developing transitional cell bladder cancer. Some people who received the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) are also at increased risk.
• Bladder infection.
• Parasite infection.

• Blood in the urine
• Painful urination
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Abdominal pain
• Anemia
• Bone pain or tenderness
• Lethargy
• Urinary incontinence
• Weight loss

• Physical examination
  • Abdominal CT scan
  • Bladder biopsy (usually performed during cystoscopy)
  • Cystoscopy
  • Intravenous pyelogram - IVP
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine cytology

• The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the tumor, and the presence of other medical conditions.
• Stage 0 and I treatments:
  • Surgery to remove the tumor without removing the rest of the bladder/li>
  • Chemotherapy or immunotherapy directly into the bladder
• Stage II and III treatments:
  • Surgery to remove the entire bladder (radical cystectomy)
  • Surgery to remove only part of the bladder, followed by radiation and chemotherapy
  • Chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery
  • A combination of chemotherapy and radiation (in patients who choose not to have surgery or who cannot have surgery)
• Most patients with stage IV tumors cannot be cured and surgery is not appropriate. In these patients, chemotherapy is often considered.

• If you have blood in your urine or other symptoms of bladder cancer, including:
  • Frequent urination
  • Painful urination
  • Urgent need to urinate

• Quitting cigarette smoking and eliminating environmental hazards.