Bladder Cancer
The bladder, situated in the lower abdomen, is a muscular and flexible organ responsible for storing and releasing urine. It's possible for abnormalities to arise in the bladder, causing the cells that make up its structure to grow uncontrollably. This uncontrolled growth can lead to the formation of a malignant tumor, known as bladder cancer. Usually, bladder cancer originates from the transitional cells lining the bladder.
These bladder tumors are classified by the way they develop:
Papillary tumors look like warts and are attached to a stalk.
Carcinoma in situ tumors are flat. They are not as common, however, they are far more invasive.
The exact cause of bladder cancer is not known, but several things that may make you more likely to develop it include:
Cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk of many cancers including bladder cancer. Statistics have shown that up to half of all bladder cancers may be engendered by cigarette smoking
Family history of bladder cancer
Chemical exposure which can include but are not limited to: asbestos, nickel, cadmium, radon, vinyl chloride, benzidene, benzene, and pesticide
The chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide
Radiation therapy to the pelvis region for treatment of cancers of the prostate, testes, cervix, or uterus
A long-term bladder infection or irritation may lead to a certain type of bladder cancer
Symptoms of bladder cancer can include but are not limited to:
blood in urine, bone pain (this will occur if the bladder cancer has spread to the bone), abdominal pain, evident weight loss, urinary leakage, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, painful urination, dark urine, blood in the urine (hematuria), fatigue, chills, and/or night sweats.
Exams and tests for bladder cancer includes:
a rectal/pelvic exam, abdominal/pelvic CT scan, abdominal MRI scan, bladder biopsy, cystoscopy, intravenous pyelogram (IVP), urinalysis, and/or urine cytology.
If any of these tests corroborate that you have bladder cancer, additional tests will be performed to figure out if the bladder cancer has spread. This will determine the best possible treatment for your condition.