Baldder Cancer

Bladder cancer begins in the bladder lining. It mostly affects older adults, and is more common in men than women.

Causes of bladder cancer

Factors that may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer include:

Smoking
Exposure to certain chemicals like dye and paint
Excessively consumption of fried foods, red meats, and animal fat
Chronic bladder inflammation such as frequent bladder infections and urinary tract problems
Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that a person will definitely develop bladder cancer.

Symptoms of bladder cancer

Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Burning or pain during urination
Increased frequency of urination

Diagnosis of bladder cancer

Urinalysis
Urine cytology, which is a specific test that examines the cells of the bladder lining that are shed during urination under a microscope to detect any malignancies
Cystoscopy
Biopsy of the bladder lining
CT scan of the pelvis and abdomen
Other tests to screen for spread of the tumor such as a bone scan, chest X-ray and CT scan

Treatment of bladder cancer at KHCC

Superficial tumors that have only affected the inner lining of the bladder are treated with BCG immunotherapy, which is the use of bacteria to induce a strong immune response against cancer cells. Bladder cancer is the only cancer in which BCG is used effectively.

For more invasive tumors that have penetrated the muscle wall of the bladder but have not yet spread to distant sites, treatment includes surgical removal of the entire urinary bladder (radical cystectomy). Some patients may be offered chemotherapy before surgery. For a minority of patients, conservation of the urinary bladder can be done and the disease can be treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.

For bladder cancer that has spread to other organs (metastatic disease), treatment may include intravenous chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or supportive care only. Metastatic bladder cancer is not curable and treatment is intended for palliation and slowing down the progress of the disease.