Bladder cancer, like any other cancer, can affect anyone regardless of age, race, and gender. However, studies show that white men are more prone to bladder cancer.
The bladder is responsible for storing the urine before it is expelled from your system. If cells in your bladder spread uncontrollably to the surrounding bones and tissues, it leads to metastasis. Even though it is the sixth most common type of cancer in America, only a few people are aware of the disease and its symptoms. In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know about bladder cancer, its causes, and its symptoms. Let’s get started.
Causes and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
The exact causes of bladder cancer are not known, but research shows that genetic mutation is the primary cause of the disease. People who smoke cigarettes and tobacco are at higher risk of bladder cancer, and so do those expose to the hazardous chemicals. Scientists have discovered that smokers are three times more prone to bladder cancer than non-smokers.
Symptoms
● Visible blood in the urine
● Sharp pain during urination, frequent urination, and a burning sensation
● Sudden weight loss
● Back and bone pain
● Swollen feet
● Difficulty in urination
These symptoms may also indicate a serious bladder infection or kidney stones, so it is better to visit a urologist in Navi Mumbai and take the prescribed tests for proper diagnosis.
How is Bladder Cancer Diagnosed?
The bladder cancer specialist in Navi Mumbai, India performs cystoscopy (a medical procedure where the doctor looks into the bladder of the patient to detect abnormal cell growth). Here are a few other tests for bladder cancer diagnosis:
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- Urine cytology
- Biopsy
In most cases, it is a low-grade and small tumor that could be removed easily. However, if cancer spreads to the surrounding bones and other organs, it requires more aggressive and invasive treatment.
What are the Treatment Options Available?
The treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage of cancer and the patient’s health. Usually, it is a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical removal of the tumor.
If the cancer is spreading aggressively into the bladder and nearby tissues, the doctor might remove the entire bladder or the affected tissues.
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
If it is a stage 0 and 1 cancer, the doctor will use a medical device to cut and burn and the cancerous cells in your bladder. Chemotherapy is prescribed either before or after the surgery to kill cancerous cells. For patients who are not fit for the surgical removal of the cancerous tissues, radiation therapy is used as an alternative treatment.
Bladder cancer is likely to recur after the treatment, which is why regular monitoring and follow-up are a must for patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. In some cases, cancer becomes a chronic medical condition that needs regular monitoring. For more information about symptoms and treatment plans, consult a urologist in Navi Mumbai.