Primary Symptoms and Understandings Concerning Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer symptoms are often not apparent until the disease has progressed to an advanced and sometimes fatal stage. This means that if you're genetically susceptible to bladder cancer, you must be diligent about testing and early detection. To learn more about the risks of bladder cancer, its causes and its symptoms, keep reading.

The Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

The most common bladder cancer symptoms include bloody urine (should be a deep or brownish red) and painful or frequent urination. Incontinence can also be sometimes associated with the disease.

These symptoms, though almost always present in bladder cancer, are also always present in other urinary and bladder problems like urinary tract infections, prostate issues, prostrate infections, gall stones, cysts and more.

Diagnosing and Detecting Bladder Cancer

If a patient is at risk for developing bladder cancer (typically indicated by a genetic family history of the disease), then the person is often referred to a urologist who can test for the disease using cytology. While cytology can be an effective way to assess potential danger, it's not a sensitive test and can sometimes produce negative results even when cancer is present.

There is also the cytoscopy, which is essentially a flexible tube with a small camera that is inserted into the urethra and bladder. Urologists then look for suspicious lesions which, if found, are then removed and biopsied.

Treating Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer treatment options vary depending on the type of bladder cancer and how far the disease has advanced. For example, a small tumor that has yet to infiltrate the bladder muscular wall can actually be shaved off in what is a fairly simply procedure. This step is typically followed by a small round of radiation therapy.

However, tumors or lesions that are not considered superficial must be removed by removing all or part of the bladder. Some skilled surgeons can even construct a new bladder out of the remaining skin. This is done either in conjunction with or as an alternative to radiation and chemotherapy - often used to finish off any remnants of the cancer.

Are You At Risk for Developing Bladder Cancer?

Though genetic disposition is the most common factor in determining a patient's risk for developing the disease, most urologists agree that environmental factors can play a huge part. For example, holding excessive amounts of toxins and carcinogens in the bladder can become a major cause of bladder cancer.

This is why flushing out the system by drinking lots of water (at least eight glasses) every day can dramatically reduce your chances of developing the disease.

It's important to remember that bladder cancer symptoms may not always be evident or appear until the advanced stages of the disease. So, if you have a family history of members experiencing this affliction, it's important to tell your family doctor and to see a urologist regularly.

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