What Is Bladder Cancer? What Are The Symptoms And Treatment Of Bladder Cancer?

Being a cancer victim or survivor is your mindset or lifestyle choice. Nowadays, the cases of cancers are at their peak. Among all types of cancer, Bladder Cancer is the 9th most commonly diagnosed cancer, challenging and expensive to diagnose and treat. But before you get afraid of it, you need to understand that, if diagnosed early, it can be cured to the possible extent. Therefore, if you are unsure of your symptoms, do not wait for the disease to be disastrous act upon it immediately. We understand that the term cancer evokes fear among people and tremble their soul from the inside. However, it's time to stand and take diagnosis and treatment seriously to increase your lifespan or chances of survival.

Before going ahead, do you know what it is? How does it spread? What are the symptoms, and what can be done to cure the disease and control the damage? No worries, here we have shared all the answers to your queries.

What is Bladder Cancer?

Often begins in the cells inside your bladder, Bladder Cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect normal bladder functioning and uncontrollably spread to surrounding organs. It starts in the tissues of the bladder, and if left untreated, it can spread to other parts and cause life-threatening problems.

Types Of Bladder Cancer:

There are three types of Bladder Cancer, and understanding is essential to know your risks, identify the signs, and act. Its three types are:

• Urothelial Carcinoma: Previously called Transitional Cell Carcinoma, Urothelial Carcinoma is by far the most common form of bladder cancer that starts in the line inside the bladder.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: It usually begins in the bladder lining in response to bladder inflammation or irritation. At first, it is not life-threatening but can be aggressive, spread to other body parts, and lead to complications.
• Adenocarcinoma: Develops in the mucous-secreting gland lining your organ; Adenocarcinoma is a rare type of cancer.

Apart from the above, there are other less common types of bladder cancer, including micropapillary, plasmacytoid, small cell bladder cancer, etc. Addressing the problem at the earliest is essential to increase your chances of recovery, limit damage and improve your quality of life. And identifying the signs is the first and foremost step.

Warning Symptoms Indicating Bladder Cancer:

The human body is the best mechanism that gives us hints whenever anything goes wrong within our body. All we need to do is listen to those signs and pay attention. Here are the common symptoms you need to take seriously.

• Blood In The Urine: Blood in the urine is the first and foremost common symptom indicating bladder cancer. It might turn the color of urine into orange, pink, or red or can be detectable through a microscope.
• Painful Urination: Sting-like pain or burning sensation while peeing during urination is another common sign indicating that something might not be suitable with your bladder that needs immediate attention.
• Frequent Urination And Trouble Urinating: When you are feeling the urge to pee more frequently than normal or experiencing problems while urinating, it should be considered a warning sign for bladder problems.
• Persistent Bladder Infection: If your bladder is experiencing trouble like infections over and over again, there is a possibility that something is not right. Your healthcare professional may immediately call for a few tests or screenings to confirm the condition and improve your recovery chances.

What Causes Bladder Cancer?

Although the exact cause of bladder cancer is still unknown, certain factors contribute to the disease and increase your risk of developing it. Such risk factors are:

• Smoking: Cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke increases your risk for bladder cancer. It is responsible for almost half of all bladder cancer.
• Exposure To Certain Chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals or substances, like rubber, dyes, hairdressing supplies, etc., increases risks. However, it is not a confirmed cause but puts you at more risk than an average person with no exposure.
• Infections: Bladder stones, chronic bladder irritation, and urinary tract infections significantly elevate your risk of developing bladder cancer.
• Previous Cancer History: If you have had bladder cancer in the past, you are more likely to develop it again, increasing the chances of recurrent bladder tumors.
• Family History: People with a family history of bladder cancer are at higher risk of getting bladder cancer.

Whether you have symptoms or not, if you are at risk, your doctor may ask you to get tested to diagnose and treat the condition at the earliest. Now the question is how to diagnose the problem.

Read Our Other Blog On Pancreatic Cancer Causes, Symptoms & It's Treatment- https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/lab-test/cancer-tests/pancreatic-cancer-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

Tests To Diagnose Bladder Cancer:

If your healthcare suspects bladder cancer, they will run a series of tests to diagnose and confirm the condition. Some tests that you may be asked to get done are:

• Blood Test: Some blood tests can be done to measure certain substances released into the blood, and the unusual spike in such substances could be a sign of the disease.
• Urine Test: Doctors may also suggest a urine test to check the blood or other content in the urine indicating bladder cancer to confirm the condition.
• Imaging Test: Your healthcare professional may ask you to go for CT Scan & ultrasound based on your symptoms to determine the tumor and check if it has spread into the nearby organs or tissues.
• Biopsy: Other than that, Cystoscopy or other biopsies are recommended to confirm bladder cancer.

After confirming cancer, your doctor may run several tests confirming the stage of cancer, which directly affects a person’s treatment options.

Treatment For Bladder Cancer:

There are many treatment options available such as:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy

The treatment decision relies on your age, gender, stage of cancer, and other factors. Your doctor may observe your condition and suggest treatment accordingly.

Bladder Cancer – How Fatal It Can Be?

If left untreated, the cancerous cells can spread to other body parts and cause severe health impacts. Early diagnosis is undeniably a game-changer. Therefore, considering Cancer Screening is essential to confirm the condition and take treatment before the eleventh hour. Regular screening is recommended for those who have had bladder cancer in the past, as they are at higher risk of developing it again.

Your health is in your own hands. Be the driver and take it in the direction of improvement. Acting early can save you from unfavorable consequences. Embrace early diagnosis to embrace wellness for life.

Redcliffe Labs is a reliable diagnostic center that you can consider for Cancer Screening. Packed with state-of-the-art diagnostic labs, we promise an excellent diagnostic experience to every individual looking for prescription-based and preventive health checkups. So, book now!