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Bladder cancer – Its types and silent signs

Bladder cancer – Its types and silent signs

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer in which the cells in the bladder region grow uncontrollably. This organ stores urine in the body and works together with the kidneys to remove toxins from the body. Bladder cancer starts to affect the functioning of this organ, and as it spreads, it starts to affect the other tissues and organs nearby. Some symptoms can help diagnose the disease at an early stage. Here is what to know:

Signs and symptoms
Usually, bladder cancer can be detected early on because it causes blood in the urine, which can easily be spotted. Other uncomfortable urinary symptoms can help identify the disease early on. Here are a few signs and symptoms to know about:

  • Blood in urine
    This is one of the first signs of bladder cancer. Hematuria, or blood in the urine, can easily be spotted during a bathroom visit, making it easy to recognize the symptoms. Sometimes, the color of the urine may change to orange, pink, or even dark red depending on the amount of blood in the urine, so always be observant of the same. However, there are times when the amount of blood is too low, so only blood spots are found during a urine test but not otherwise when using the bathroom and relieving the bowel.

    Blood doesn’t need to be observed during every trip to the bathroom. It may appear once, and then for the next few weeks, the urine may remain clear, and the blood may reappear after some days. Usually, there is no pain or very little pain if the bladder cancer is at an early stage. As the disease progresses, other symptoms may come up. Also, blood in urine may be caused by other illnesses, so always get a thorough diagnosis before jumping to conclusions.

  • Change in bladder habits
    Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, there are other signs to observe that point toward an issue with the organ. There can be changes in bladder habits due to irritation and improper functioning of the organ due to cancer cells. These signs include urinating more often than usual. This means the frequency of using the bathroom increases as the disease spreads. There may also be some pain or burning sensation during urination. Even when the bladder isn’t full, the urge to relieve oneself may force one to rush to the bathroom. A weak urine stream or trouble urinating may be another prominent sign. Additionally, getting up several times during the night to urinate is something to be observant of.

    These signs and symptoms may point to bladder cancer. Still, they also overlap with other urinary conditions like urinary tract infection, or UTI, bladder stones, enlarged prostate in men, and an overactive bladder. So, a detailed diagnosis is required to ensure all other overlapping ailments are eliminated from the case.

  • Advanced bladder cancer symptoms
    When cancer has spread to other tissues and parts of the body, some other signs and symptoms can be recognized. It is important to seek emergency help immediately to get all the tests done to determine what is causing these symptoms. A treatment plan can be charted accordingly to manage these symptoms. Some other major advanced bladder cancer symptoms include being unable to urinate or relieve oneself, experiencing lower back pain on one side of the body, loss of appetite that may lead to loss of muscle mass over time, feeling weak or exhausted throughout the day, experiencing pain in the bones, and noticing swelling in the feet.

    It is important to note that these symptoms may also overlap with some other urinary infection conditions, so one should always get the necessary tests done to know the exact cause of these conditions.

Types of bladder cancer
There are three types of bladder cancer, and they are as follows:

  • Urothelial carcinoma
    This was previously known as transitional cell carcinoma. It is a type of bladder cancer that develops in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. The urothelial cells found in the lining of the bladder function by expanding when the bladder is full and contracting when the bladder is empty. These are the same cells that are also found in the urethra and ureters, so this type of cancer can form in these areas, too. According to statistics, this is the most common type of bladder cancer among individuals in the country.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
    This type of cancer is associated with chronic irritation of the bladder. So, usually, it is developed or formed from an infection or can also be triggered by the long-term use of the urinary catheter. While this type of bladder cancer is rare in the country, it is present in those countries where the parasite infection called schistosomiasis is prevalent. This parasite is the common cause of bladder infections, which may lead to the development of this type of cancer.
  • Adenocarcinoma
    This is a very rare type of bladder cancer. It develops in the cells that make up the mucus-secreting glands in the bladder.

According to studies, some bladder cancers include more than one type of cell, which may make it even more complicated. Depending on the stage or grade of the cancer, health professionals devise treatment options accordingly. Some options to treat this condition involve surgery needed to remove the cancer cells, chemotherapy in the bladder or intravesical chemotherapy, chemotherapy for the whole body or systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. Some health professionals may also refer to a combination of treatments to help manage the symptoms and pain experienced by some individuals. Each case is different, so always consult the doctor about the possible risk factors of the treatments. One should ask questions involving side effects, preventive measures, and recovery time.

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