What is bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer begins when bladder cells grow uncontrollably. The bladder is an empty sac located in the lower part of the belly, and it stores urine. When we urinate, the bladder muscles contract, pushing the urine out through a tube called the urethra.
Bladder cancer is rare compared to other types of cancer. It is the fourth most common cancer in men or people assigned male at birth. It’s less common in women or those assigned female at birth.
Urothelial carcinoma or transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most prevalent type of bladder cancer. It begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder. If left untreated, the cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, making it more challenging to treat.
What causes bladder cancer?
Scientists are still uncovering the exact causes of bladder cancer. However, they have identified certain risk factors and are beginning to understand how they lead to the development of the disease.
Changes in the DNA, known as gene mutations, can disrupt the normal functioning of bladder cells, causing them to grow abnormally and uncontrolled. Over time, these changes can lead to the formation of cancer cells.
5 warning signs of bladder cancer
Bladder cancer can have different symptoms. Here are five warning signs to watch for:
Blood in the urine. This symptom is common in bladder cancer. Blood can range in color from slightly rusty to bright red. Sometimes, the amount of blood is small and can only be detected through a test.
Frequent urination. If you need to urinate more often than usual, it could be a sign of bladder cancer.
Pain or burning during urination. Feeling pain or a burning sensation when you urinate is another symptom to be aware of.
Urgency to urinate. You may feel a strong urge to urinate even when your bladder isn't full.
Nighttime urination. Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate could indicate a potential problem.
The symptoms above may also be caused by other conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or prostate enlargement.
When bladder cancer has advanced, additional symptoms may include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to consult your healthcare provider. Remember that other conditions like urinary tract infections or kidney and bladder stones can also cause these symptoms. Your healthcare provider may request a urine sample or other tests to help them understand the cause of your symptoms.
What are the risk factors for bladder cancer?
While the exact causes of bladder cancer are still being investigated, it's important to know the risk factors and take steps to minimize them.
How fast does bladder cancer spread?
Bladder cancer can spread at different rates, depending on several factors. The cancer stage at the time of diagnosis plays a significant role in determining how fast it spreads.
If you’re diagnosed with bladder cancer, your cancer care team will perform tests to understand how far it has spread in the body – this is called staging. Staging involves physical exams, biopsies, imaging tests, and sometimes surgery. It helps determine the seriousness of the cancer and the most appropriate treatment.
Cancer is classified based on how far it has spread. For bladder cancer, the TNM staging system is commonly used. This system assigns a stage to your cancer, such as stage I, II, III, or IV. Stage 0 is the earliest stage.
The stage number indicates the extent of cancer spread. Lower numbers mean the cancer is contained, while higher numbers, like stage IV, indicate more advanced cancer. Within a stage, an earlier letter also suggests a lower stage. For example, stage IIIB indicates a more advanced cancer than stage IIIA.
How is bladder cancer treated?
Bladder cancer can be treated using various methods, and your cancer care team will determine the best option for you based on factors such as your age, the cancer stage, and your overall health. Some common treatments for bladder cancer include:
Surgery. Surgery is often necessary for many bladder cancer cases. It aims to remove the cancerous cells and may involve removing a portion of the bladder (partial cystectomy) or the entire bladder (radical cystectomy). In some cases, other nearby tissues or lymph nodes may also be removed.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves using medications to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth. For bladder cancer, chemotherapy can be administered directly into the bladder (intravesical chemotherapy) or given through the bloodstream to target cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy).
Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It can be delivered externally from a machine (external beam radiation). Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Certain drugs, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, boost the body's immune response against bladder cancer. Immunotherapy can be effective in treating advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. BCG therapy is an immunotherapy specifically used for early-stage bladder cancer. A weakened form of tuberculosis bacteria is put into the bladder during BCG therapy. This helps to boost the immune system and allows it to recognize and destroy cancer cells in the bladder.
Targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs focusing on specific changes in cancer cells, like their genes or molecules. The goal is to stop the cancer from growing and spreading by blocking certain pathways or proteins involved in the tumor’s formation. These drugs work in a targeted way to fight against cancer and help stop its progression.
Each treatment option has its benefits and considerations, and your healthcare providers will guide you through the decision-making process to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Bladder cancer, although relatively rare, is a significant concern, especially for men or people assigned male at birth. Understanding the risk factors and recognizing warning signs make early detection and prompt treatment possible. You can actively manage your health and well-being if you’ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Don’t hesitate to discuss concerns, share your family history, and address any risk factors with your healthcare provider.
