Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BLA-der KAN-ser) is cancer that forms in tissues of the urinary bladder (the organ that stores urine).

Stages of bladder cancer

Types

• Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in cells that normally make up the inner lining of the bladder).
• Other types include squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells) and adenocarcinoma (cancer that begins in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).
• The cells that form squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma develop in the inner lining of the bladder as a result of chronic irritation and inflammation.

Risk factors

Risk factors for the condition include smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, and having chronic bladder infections. Treatment varies based on the severity of the condition and may include surgery,radiation therapy ,chemotherapy , and/or biological therapy .

Signs and symptoms

Location of bladder cancer

Signs and symptoms of the condition may include abdominal pain, blood in the urine, fatigue, painful urination, frequent urination, incontinence, and/or weightloss. Most cases of bladder cancer occur sporadically in people with no  of the condition

Bladder cancer characteristically causes blood in the urine, which may be visible or detectable only by microscope. Blood in the urine is the most common symptom in bladder cancer, and is painless

Other possible symptoms include pain during urination, frequent urination, or feeling the need to urinate without being able to do so. These signs and symptoms are not specific to bladder cancer, and may also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, including prostate infections, overactive bladder or cystitis. Some rare forms of bladder cancer like urachal adenocarcinoma produce mucin, which is then excreted in the urine causing it to be thick.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically by cystoscopy with tissue biopsies.Staging of the cancer is determined by transurethral resection and medical imaging.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.It may include some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.Surgical options may include transurethral resection, partial or complete removal of the bladder, or urinary diversion. The typical five-year survival rates in the United States is 77%, Canada is 75%, and Europe is 68%.

Prevention

As of 2019, there is limited high level evidence to suggest that eating vegetable and fruits decreases the risk of bladder cancer. A 2008 study concluded that "specific fruit and vegetables may act to reduce the risk of bladder cancer."

Fruit and yellow-orange vegetables, particularly carrots and those containing selenium,are probably associated with a moderately reduced risk of bladder cancer. Citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables were also identified as having a possibly protective effect. However an analysis of 47,909 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study showed little relation between cancer reduction and high consumption of fruits and vegetables overall, or yellow or green leafy vegetables specifically, compared to the reduction seen among those men who consumed large amounts of cruciferous vegetables.

An inverse relation between in-takes of flavonols and lignans (diphenolic compounds found in whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables) and aggressive bladder cancer has also been described.

While it is suggested that the polyphenol compounds in tea may have an inhibitory effect on bladder tumor formation and growth, there is limited evidence to suggesting drinking tea decreases bladder cancer risk.

In a 10-year study involving almost 49,000 men, researchers found that men who drank at least 1.44 L of water (around 6 cups) per day had a reduced risk of bladder cancer when compared with men who drank less. It was also found that: "the risk of bladder cancer decreased by 7% for every 240 mL of fluid added".

The authors proposed that bladder cancer might partly be caused by the bladder directly contacting carcinogens that are excreted in urine, although this has not yet been confirmed in other studies.

External links

• Cancer.gov bladder cancer

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NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a rare disease.