Bladder Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms and Treatment
Bladder cancer is a difficult diagnosis to receive. The available treatment options can be devastating and the chance of a recurrence of cancer is high. It is important to know the risk factors associated with bladder cancer. Persons with known risk factors need to watch for symptoms of bladder cancer because early detection of bladder cancer can significantly affects a person’s chance of recovery.
Risk Factors
Cancer of the bladder has been linked to certain risk factors (activities that increase a person’s chance of developing an illness). These risk factors include smoking cigarettes, working around hazardous chemicals, and having a family history of bladder cancer.
This year, the federal Food and Drug Administration announced an association between the diabetes drug Actos and bladder cancer.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. The amount of blood found varies. It may be sufficient to discolor the urine, making it brown or red. In others, the presence of blood can be detected only through laboratory tests.
The following symptoms also are common:
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Urgent need to urinate
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Frequent urination
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Feeling a need to urinate without result
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Needing to strain to urinate
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Feeling pain during urination
Stages of Cancer and Treatment
Which treatment option is available depends on the stage of the cancer. Tests are performed to determine whether the cancer is limited to the bladder or if it has spread. Generally, the cancer stages are divided as follows:
Stage 0 – Cancer cells found only on the surface of the lining of the bladder.
Stage 1 – Cancer penetrates into the lining of the bladder.
Stage 2 – Cancer has progressed further into the muscle layer of the bladder.
Stage 3 – Cancer moves beyond the bladder to other tissue and organs, such as the prostate, uterus or vagina.
Stage 4 – Cancer is found either in (1) the pelvis or abdomen or (2) a lymph node or distant part of the body such as the liver, lungs or bones.
Treatment Options
Which treatment option is right for a patient depends on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s age and general health. Common treatment plans include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. Surgery can be limited to removal of cancerous cells or complete removal of the bladder and nearby tissues and organs.
Survival rates vary based on the stage of cancer detected. The National Cancer Institute has published these rates:
By stage, the 5-year Survival Rate: Stage 0 is 98%, Stage 1 is 88%, Stage 2 is 63%, Stage 3 is 46%, Stage is 15%
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