Bladder Cancer Overview
Although bladder cancer is the 5th most common type of cancer, there seems to be little public awareness about this type which kills 14,700 people each year. Each year, approximately 70,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer with 52,000 of them being men, and 18,000 are women. Bladder cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer in men, and the 11th most commpon type diagnosed in women.
Bladder cancer is successfully treated with minimal side effects if detected in the early stages with a 96.6 percent survival rate over 5 years. When the cancer is more advanced, it is difficult to treat and involves extensive procedures. In the later stages, the survival rate drops and can range from 5.6 to 73 3 percent with a cure rate average of 40 percent.
Knowing what the symptoms of bladder cancer are can aid in early diagnosis and treatment, leading to a better survival rate. The most common bladder cancer symptoms include:
* Blood in the urine (slightly rusty to bright red in color).
* Frequent urination, or feeling the need to urinate without being able to.
* Pain during urination.
* Lower back pain.
* Pelvic Pain
Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer and occurs in 4 out 5 patients. This blood will be obvious to the patient by simple observation. The urine may appear darker or reddish. It can also occur one day, skip some days, and then reappear, or appear every day. The amount of blood is not indicative of the extent of the cancer. People who observe these symptoms should see their doctor right away.
Although the exact causes of bladder cancer are not clear, smoking is believed to be a leading cause of bladder cancer and accounts for 50 percent of all bladder cancer cases in men, and 30 percent of all bladder cancer cases in women. Other causes may be unsafe exposure to chemicals, and accidental exposure to arsenic. Chronic bladder infections, bladder "stones," and even excessive consumption of coffee (10+ cups a day), have also been cited as possible causes of bladder cancer.
Common treatment methods for bladder cancer include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. There are five types of surgery performed on bladder cancer patients which include: transurethral resection (TUR), segmental cystectomy, radical cystectomy, bladder reconstruction surgery, and urostomy.
Two newer treatment options include biological therapy (sometimes called immunotherapy), and photodynamic therapy. Biological therapy harnesses the body's own immune system to either fight against the cancer, or decrease the side effects of other cancer treatments. Photodynamic therapy involves injecting the patient with a special substance which is absorbed mostly by the cancerous cells. Then, a special laser light is activated on those cancerous cells which are then destroyed with the help of the special substance. Although healthy tissue is largely left intact, this type of treatment does have a few side effects which include: chronic bladder infection, bladder shrinkage, and sensitivity to sunlight.
Bladder cancer is successfully treated with minimal side effects if detected in the early stages with a 96.6 percent survival rate over 5 years. When the cancer is more advanced, it is difficult to treat and involves extensive procedures. In the later stages, the survival rate drops and can range from 5.6 to 73 3 percent with a cure rate average of 40 percent.
Knowing what the symptoms of bladder cancer are can aid in early diagnosis and treatment, leading to a better survival rate. The most common bladder cancer symptoms include:
* Blood in the urine (slightly rusty to bright red in color).
* Frequent urination, or feeling the need to urinate without being able to.
* Pain during urination.
* Lower back pain.
* Pelvic Pain
Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer and occurs in 4 out 5 patients. This blood will be obvious to the patient by simple observation. The urine may appear darker or reddish. It can also occur one day, skip some days, and then reappear, or appear every day. The amount of blood is not indicative of the extent of the cancer. People who observe these symptoms should see their doctor right away.
Although the exact causes of bladder cancer are not clear, smoking is believed to be a leading cause of bladder cancer and accounts for 50 percent of all bladder cancer cases in men, and 30 percent of all bladder cancer cases in women. Other causes may be unsafe exposure to chemicals, and accidental exposure to arsenic. Chronic bladder infections, bladder "stones," and even excessive consumption of coffee (10+ cups a day), have also been cited as possible causes of bladder cancer.
Common treatment methods for bladder cancer include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. There are five types of surgery performed on bladder cancer patients which include: transurethral resection (TUR), segmental cystectomy, radical cystectomy, bladder reconstruction surgery, and urostomy.
Two newer treatment options include biological therapy (sometimes called immunotherapy), and photodynamic therapy. Biological therapy harnesses the body's own immune system to either fight against the cancer, or decrease the side effects of other cancer treatments. Photodynamic therapy involves injecting the patient with a special substance which is absorbed mostly by the cancerous cells. Then, a special laser light is activated on those cancerous cells which are then destroyed with the help of the special substance. Although healthy tissue is largely left intact, this type of treatment does have a few side effects which include: chronic bladder infection, bladder shrinkage, and sensitivity to sunlight.