What You Need to Know About Bladder Cancer
/Bladder cancer is often associated with being a higher risk in men, but it's also a risk for women. The number of new cases and deaths was 20.3 per 100,00 men and women per year in 2012. Approximately 2.4 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with bladder cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on 2010-2012 data and an estimated 577,403 people living with bladder cancer in the United States.
The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower part of the abdomen that stores urine until it is passed out of the body. The most common form of the disease is called transitional cell carcinoma. Those who smoke have and increased risk of developing bladder cancer. If you're exposed to certain chemicals and have chronic bladder infections, this can also increase your risk for bladder cancer. Blood in the urine is the most common sign but there are other symptoms to be aware of. This cancer is often diagnosed in the early stages, making the cancer much easier to treat.
BLADDER CANCER SYMPTOMS:
- Hematuria, or blood in the urine; urine may appear dark yellow, bright red or cola-colored. May also appear normal, but blood may be detected in a microscopic examination of the urine aka urine culture.
- Frequent urination
- Painful urination
- Back pain
- Pelvic pain
Bladder and Urine Tests for Detecting Bladder Cancer
- Physical exam and assessment of family history
- Internal exam: the doctor inserts lubricated, gloved fingers into the vagina and/or rectum to feel for lumps
- Urinalysis: A specific test to check the color and state of the urine
- Cystoscopy: This procedure allows the doctor to look inside the bladder, in order to identify abnormal areas.
- Intravenous Pyelogram: A series of x-rays of the kidneys, ureters and bladder to determine if cancer is present.
- Biopsy: This removes cells or tissues from the organ to be viewed closely under a microscope by a pathologist. Signs of cancer are carefully looked at and a biopsy for bladder cancer is usually done at the same time of a cystoscopy.
Treatment Options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Intravesical therapy
Study shows Chronic UTIs Could Mean Bladder Cancer
A new study suggests that urinary tract infection symptoms that persist and don’t improve over time or with treatment could indicate bladder cancer. The research was recently presented at the American Urological Association 2015 Annual Meeting. The lead researcher Kyle Richards, MD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison said the findings apply to both men and women.
Urinary Symptoms Can Mean Bladder Cancer
Urinary symptoms aren’t necessarily cause for alarm, but since bladder doesn’t always give us warning, it’s best to take symptoms seriously. The good news is that, like prostate cancer, bladder cancer can be effectively treated through robotic surgery.
Using the da Vinci Surgical System, I perform robotic cystectomy to remove part of the bladder or the entire bladder, and even the surrounding lymph nodes and organs when necessary. As with prostate cancer, robotic surgery can improve recovery results and provide realtime diagnostic confirmation of the extent of the disease. Whether or not male or female reproductive organs must be removed can be expertly determined during the procedure thanks to the enhanced surgical view.
Bladder Cancer Quick Facts
1) Radiation risk. Prostate cancer radiation is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer*. When selecting a prostate cancer treatment, this should be carefully explored. There is no evidence that robotic prostatectomy surgery increases risk of bladder cancer.
2) Watch your urine. Painful urination and blood in urine require medical attention, but you might not get such a vivid warning of bladder cancer. Blood can be present in urine without being visible to the naked eye so don’t wait till you see it if you think there’s an issue. Any urinary discomfort or changes in urine flow should be explored through urinalysis. If further exploration is needed, a urine cytology will be used for microscopic evaluation.
3) Smoking causes many cancers. Smoking is the number one cause of bladder cancer and it doubles your risk of developing the disease. Other bladder cancer risk factors include a family history of the disease and consistent exposure to certain chemicals.
4) Chronic urinary infections. Repeat bladder infections or urinary stones could indicate a more significant problem. A cystoscope allows for a thorough exploration and biopsy of the bladder to check for the presence of cancer.
5) Preventing bladder cancer. What your bladder processes each day does matter. Stay hydrated and reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.
The surgical improvements afforded by robotics are instrumental in the success of my SMART (Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique) prostate removal surgery and my bladder cancer surgery. Robotic-assisted cystectomy can improve bladder cancer removal rates by 14% and my nerve-sparing technique helps restore sexual potency in just 11 months after the procedure.
The surgical world of urinary oncology continues to be improved through robotics, experienced surgeons, and educated patients.
* According to a 2008 study conducted at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine