As we all know, the bladder is the organ responsible for storing the urine and helps us maintain continence, so that we can empty it voluntarily. The urine reaches the bladder through the ureters after the kidneys have filtered the blood. The wall of the bladder is made up of layers of transitional cells. The tumor originates in these cells is called transitional carcinoma and more than 90% of bladder cancers are this type. The other two types are squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Depending on the layers affected by the tumor. We are faced with an invasive carcinoma (when the tumor reaches the bladder wall) or non-invasive (if it does not reach the wall).
Causes of Bladder Cancer
We can not talk about the direct causes of cancer because they are unknown. It is more convenient to talk about risk factors. These are those that increase the chances of developing a disease. But they are not definitive, a person can have several risk factors and never get to have the disease, while another may have none and they suffer. The typical example is the smoker who claims that his grandfather smoked until he was 90 years old and never had lung cancer. Quite right, smoking is not the direct cause of lung cancer but it does increase the chances of having it.
| Bladder cancer is more common in men over 50 |
Bladder Cnacer Risk Factors
So now we will discuss the risk factors for bladder cancer:Smoking. The chances of having bladder cancer are multiplied by 2 when the person is a smoker. Because the harmful substances are filtered from the blood by the kidney and finally accumulate in the bladder through the urine. These substances will damage the transitional cells lining the bladder.
Age, Race, and Sex. Being a man of more than 50 years increases the possibilities. Also, white people are more vulnerable to this type of tumor than other races, the reasons are unknown.
Exposure to aromatic amines. Bendicin and beta-naphthylamine are substances used as dyes that have been linked to bladder cancer. Therefore, working in factories that use these materials could be a risk factor for developing the disease. Some factories that use these substances are fabric factories, rubber products, paints, inks, and leather. Therefore, people working with these materials have to be especially careful. Also hairdressers and painters.
Chronic infections or irritation of the bladder. They have been linked to an increased likelihood of a tumor. Bilharziasis (infection of parasites that enter the bladder) has also been linked, although it is not common in developed countries.
Congenital disorders. When we are still fetuses our navel and bladder are united, it usually disappears before birth, but there are times when this union remains. If the abdominal wall and bladder do not close properly before birth, people with this problem will be more likely to suffer from irritation and bladder cancer.
Chemotherapeutic substances. Some drugs like Cytoxan produce used in bladder irritation and are also a risk factor. Patients are advised to consume lots of fluids to keep toxins from accumulating.
Genetics. There are some genetic mutations that are inherited from parents to children that make their bodies more clumsy when it comes to eliminating toxins, so the risk is greater.
Have undergone a previous uroterial tumor. If you have had a cancer of this type, the appearance of a second tumor is much greater, even if the former has been correctly removed.
Symptoms of a possible tumor
Some may be confused with cystitis, an enlarged bladder or kidney stones, that is why it is vital to go to the doctor always, to diagnose and propose a treatment for bladder cancer.
Hematuria. It is the appearance of blood in the urine. It occurs in 70% of cases and the color of the urine is variable. Also, having greater or lesser amounts is generally not proportional to the size of the tumor. In addition, the blood in the urine may be due to other causes (stones, urine infection, etc.). Anyway, to leave doubts it is best to go to the doctor.
Urinary irritation. Some symptoms are similar to cystitis. Feeling like urinating but not being able to do it (or if very little), going to the bathroom frequently, pain when urinating, loss of force in the jet.
Other symptoms not related to urine. Less appetite and consequently weight loss. It is also common to notice pain in the back and bones in general.
Bladder Cancer Treatment
The treatment of bladder cancer has to be multidisciplinary and not the same for all people. You have to adapt it according to each one. The main issues are:
- the type of bladder cancer.
- the stage in which it is found.
- the degree of involvement of the cells.
- whether the tumor has spread beyond the bladder.
| Eating vegetables and hydrating well will help reduce the chance of having bladder cancer |
Bladder Cancer Treatment Options
Surgery. After a preoperative study, the patient is informed of everything related to the intervention:- the technique to be used to treat.
- what risks exist in the treatment of bladder cancer.
- side effects of bladder cancer treatment.
- Transuteral resection. which is the extirpation of small chunks of the bladder wall
- Cystectomy. It consists of partially or totally excising the bladder.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves the administration of drugs to eliminate cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments. For example, it may be used before surgery to dwarf the tumor. Or after the intervention or radiation therapy to prevent the tumor from reappearing in the future (as there may have been some cancer cells left).
Immunotherapy. The immune system is stimulated to attack the cancer cells by administering drugs directly to the bladder.
How To Prevent Bladder Cancer?
We can not prevent it 100% but we can reduce the risks of bladder cancer. Some tips are:
- Diet rich in vegetables: consumption of fruits and vegetables have a protective effect against various types of cancers.
- Drink and hydrate well.
- No smoking .
- Avoid exposure to aromatic amines to prevent bladder cancer.
