What is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer begins in the cells of the bladder, the triangle-shaped muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. Bladder cancer most often begins in the urothelial cells, the cells the line the inside of your bladder. It is also found in the kidneys and ureter that connects the kidneys to the bladder.
If left untreated, bladder cancer may grow through your bladder walls to nearby lymph nodes and then other areas of your body, including bones, lungs, and liver.
What are the symptoms of Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer signs and symptoms may include:
- Blood in urine: Your urine may appear bright red or cola-coloured, though sometimes the urine appears normal and blood is detect through lab tests.
- Frequent urination: You may find yourself urinating many times within a 24-hour period
- Painful urination: You may experience a burning or stinging sensation when you start to urinate or after you urinate.
- Having trouble urinating: The flow of your urine may start and stop or the flow may not be as strong as usual
What causes Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer begins when the cells in the bladder mutates and grows uncontrollably. This abnormal growth forms a tumor that can invade and destroy normal body tissue. Over time, the abnormal cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body.
What are the risk factors of Bladder Cancer?
Factors that may increase your risk of bladder cancer include:
- Age: Your risk of bladder cancer increases as you age, with most cases happening to people aged 55 and above.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop bladder cancer compare to women.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes causes harmful chemicals to accumulate in your urine. These harmful chemicals may damage the lining of your bladder, increasing your risk of cancer.
- Past cancer treatment: People who have received radiation treatment aimed at the pelvis for a previous cancer have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
- Chronic bladder inflammation: Chronic or repeated urinary infections or inflammations may increase the risk of squamous cell bladder cancer.
- Family history: If you've had bladder cancer, you're more likely to get it again. If any of your family members has a history of bladder cancer, you may have an increased risk of developing it.
How is Bladder Cancer diagnosed?
Biopsy
A biopsy of the bladder will be done on cell samples and tumors that may be indicative of cancer.
Cytoscopy
A small, narrow tube will be inserted through your urethra. The cytoscope has a lens that allows your doctor to see the inside of your urethra and bladder, to examine them for signs of disease.
