Bladder Cancer
Introduction
The bladder is part of the urinary system that stores and expels urine. Bladder cancer is a common cancer.
What causes a bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer occurs in individual in the ages between 50 and 70 years.
It is associated with exposure to some chemicals. Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for bladder cancer. The more an individual smokes, the more they increase their long-term risk of getting bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is more common among the white than black people. Some infections like Bilharzia also increase risk of bladder cancer.
What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?
Passage of blood in urine is usually the first symptom. The blood can be obvious to the eye or may only be detected on routine urine tests done for other purposes such as medical insurance. The presence of blood in your urine does not however imply that you have bladder cancer. Other causes of blood in your urine include urine infection and kidney stones. Sometimes the cause of blood in the urine is not detected.
How is bladder cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor will perform the following test to confirm the diagnosis of bladder cancer.
- Urine tests for infections and to detect cancer cells in your urine.
- Blood tests to check how your kidney is functioning
- A look inside your urinary bladder with a cystoscope (special camera) to assess for any growth within the bladder. Your doctor may also take a sample during cystoscopy to confirm the presence of cancer.
- Ultrasound of the bladder and kidney to check for presence of cancer in the bladder or kidney or blockage of the kidneys.
- CT scan is sometimes done to give a more detailed examination of the urinary system.
- Chest xray will be done if there is suspicion that the cancer has spread to the chest.
What to expect during bladder cancer surgery?
The initial treatment of bladder cancer is called transurethral resection. You need to be admitted at least one day in advance before the surgery. Special tests are done to assess your fitness for surgery. Resection is done using a camera system that allows your doctor to cut the tumor from the inner lining of your bladder.
Resection is usually done under spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia. Your stay in the hospital lasts between 1 to 3 days after resection. Your bladder is continuously rinsed with water via a catheter after surgery until the urine is clear. The catheter is removed as soon as your urine becomes clear. Thereafter you are discharged.
What happens after resection?
The aims of the resection include: to test the aggressiveness of the bladder cancer, to assess the depth of growth of the cancer and lastly to attempt to cure the bladder cancer. The samples of bladder collected during resection are taken to the pathologist.
Ultimate treatment of bladder cancer depends on how advanced the bladder cancer is. It may include:
- Resection with or without chemotherapy or BCG rinsing of the bladder.
- Cystectomy, which is the surgical removal of the bladder
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy.
Normally, your doctor will give you a follow up appointment to discuss with you the options of your treatment. The optimal option is based on your general health condition and the degree of advancement of the cancer.
Follow up after bladder cancer treatment
Bladder cancer has a tendency to recur. Strict follow up is required for early detection of problems and consists of:
- Regular cystoscopy
- Regular ultrasound check up
- Regular CT scan or x-rays
Your doctor will decide the schedule of follow up based on your individual status and the level of advancement of the cancer.