ABSTRACT – Bladder is an organ at the lower pelvis. The main function of bladder is to store and...
Bladder cancer
Bladder is an organ at the lower pelvis. The main function of bladder is to store and control urine because of its flexible muscular wall, it can be extended whenever required by the body. There are different layers on the bladder wall and the bladder cancer mainly starts with urothelium or transitional epithelium which is the inside lining of the bladder. Transitional cells carcinoma is cancerous that forms in the cells of urothelium. The cancer might spread to lymph nodes and can also affect liver, lungs, bones and other parts of the body. These cells develop mutation, keeps on dividing unstoppably which results into tumor cells.
Types of Bladder Cancer:
Transitional Cell Carcinoma – Occurs in the inner lining of the bladder. These cells are also present in ureters and urethra and tumors can be developed in those cells as well.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma – It grows only in response to some irritation or infection in the bladder which can sometimes turn into cancerous cells.
Adenocarcinoma – It initiates in the cells that produce mucus-secreting glands in the bladder.
CAUSES –
Genetic defects
Smoking
Parasitic Infection
Chemical exposure
Exposure to carcinogens(cancer causing agents)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
Hematuria – Blood in the urine
Pain during urination
Frequent Micturition
Back pain
Pain in lower abdomen
DIAGNOSIS –
Cystoscopy-A thin tube is inserted inside urethra to examine bladder cavity.
CT Scan
Urine Cytology
Imaging Tests
Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT) -Tumor sample is taken to test the presence of bladder cancer and its stage.Adrenal Destruction
Blue Light Cystoscopy -Catheter is used to put imaging solution into the bladder and after an hour, cystoscopy is used to inspect bladder with white light and blue light. Since, only blue color can detect cancer cells, blue light helps in the diagnosis of cancer.
TREATMENT-
Surgical Treatment
TURBT
Intravesical Therapy- The drug is directly put inside the bladder with the help of catheter.
Surgery for urine to pass out from the body-
Immunotherapy
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) drug
Interferon alfa-2b – It is a synthetic form of interferon which is a protein to fight against infections.
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
PREVENTIONS –
Quit smoking
Safe working with chemicals
Consume more amount of water
Consume more fruits and vegetables in diet.
RISK FACTORS –
Smoking
Aging
Exposure to harmful chemicals/carcinogens
Side effects of certain diabetic medications
Bladder inflammation
Hereditary factors
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
Being the 10th most common cancer globally, it is 6th most occurring in men and 17th most in women.
In a year, approximately 5, 00,000 new cases reports bladder cancer.
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