When the cells in the bladder become abnormal and grow out of control leading to the formation of a tumour, the condition is bladder cancer. The location of the bladder, which is a flexible hollow pouch, is in the pelvis. The kidney produces urine and ureters carry it from there to the bladder. When you urinate, the muscles in your bladder push the urine out of the body using the urethra. It can spread to other organs and nearby lymph nodes.
Symptoms
If you have the following symptoms, you must consult an oncologist in Kolkata.
- Painful urination
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Urgent urination
- Pain in the lower back
- Pain in the abdominal area
Types Of Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer has three types. They are:
- Urothelial carcinoma: This type occurs in the cells that line the inside of the bladder.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: There is a connection of this type with chronic irritation of the bladder.
- Adenocarcinoma: The cells that form the mucus-secreting glands in the bladder are where this type begins.
Risk factors
The following factors may increase the risk of bladder cancer:
- Smoking: Harmful chemicals accumulate in the urine due to smoking and this increases the risk.
- Increasing age: As you age, the risk increases.
- Gender: The risk of is more in men than in women.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: Arsenic and chemicals used in the manufacture of rubber, leather, dyes, textiles and paint products increase its risk.
- Chronic bladder inflammation: The risk of squamous cell bladder cancer may increase due to chronic bladder inflammation.
- Personal or family history: If you or any of your close family members previously had bladder cancer, you have an increased risk.
Diagnosis Of Bladder Cancer
A cancer doctor in Kolkata recommends the following tests for the diagnosis of bladder cancer:
- Cystoscopy: During this procedure, the doctor inserts a narrow, small tube (cystoscope) through the urethra. He/she can check the inside of your urethra and bladder for signs of disease with the help of a lens in the cystoscope.
- Biopsy: The doctor may collect a cell sample (biopsy) for testing by passing a special tool through the tube during cystoscopy.
- Urine cytology: The doctor analyses your urine sample under a microscope to check for cancer cells in this procedure.
- Imaging tests: The doctor can examine the structures of your urinary tract through imaging tests.
Treatment Of Bladder Cancer
There are various factors that a cancer doctor in Howrah considers while deciding the treatment option for bladder cancer.
Surgery
Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT), cystectomy, neobladder reconstruction, ileal conduit and continent urinary reservoir are the different surgical procedures.
Chemotherapy
This procedure involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy
The doctor destroys your cancer cells using high-energy beams in this procedure.
Immunotherapy
This procedure makes use of your body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.