Urological Cancer
Urinary Bladder Cancer begins when cells in the urinary bladder start to grow uncontrollably. It is a type of malignancy arising from the epithelial lining (the urothelium) of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder. The most common type of bladder cancer recapitulates the normal histology of the urothelium and is known as transitional cell carcinoma or more properly urothelial cell carcinoma.
The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen (pelvis), which collects and stores urine produced by the kidneys.. Bladder cancer occurs mostly among older individuals although it has been noted to appear among the younger age groups as well. The average age of diagnosis is in the 60s. The cancer has a high rate of recurrence.
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Early stage tumour may not give any symptoms. Common symptoms of bladder cancer include:
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning during urination
- Feeling as if you need to go right away, even when the bladder is not full
- Having trouble urinating or having a weak urine stream
- Frequent urination or feeling the need to urinate without results
These symptoms are not sure signs of bladder cancer. Infections, benign tumours, bladder stones or other problems also can cause these symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor so that the doctor can diagnose and treat any problem as early as possible. If there is blood in the urine, then one should be careful and should not neglect it.
Risk Factor of Urinary Bladder Cancer
- Smoking: Smokers are more than twice as likely to get bladder cancer as those who do not.
- Chemicals: Working in the dye, rubber, leather, textile, paint or print industries, or working with organic chemicals or chemicals called aromatic amines, increases a person's chances of developing cancer if appropriate safety measures are not followed.
- Race: Caucasians are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as African-Americans.
- Age: Most people found to have this disease are in their late 60's
- Long-Standing (Chronic) Bladder Problems: Bladder infections and kidney or bladder stones have been linked with bladder cancer, although they are not causes of the cancer.
- Previously diagnosed with bladder cancer: Recurrence of bladder cancer occurs in 60% of patients. For this reason, follow-up is very important
- Not drinking enough fluid
- Whites are about twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as African Americans and Hispanics
- About 9 out of 10 people with bladder cancer are older than 55
- Whites are about twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as African Americans and Hispanics
- More common in men than in women
- Urinary infections, kidney and bladder stones, bladder catheters left in place a long time
- Personal history of bladder or other urothelial cancer
- Bladder birth defects
- Genetics and family history
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy
