All responses to bladder cancer

Bladder tumor is caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of a group of mucosal cells, the so-called transitional cells.

The tumor may be confined to the mucosa or may infiltrate the next layer, the muscle. Depending on the aggressiveness of the tumor, we can classify them into low-grade tumors (not very aggressive) or more aggressive tumors.

Risk factors for bladder cancer

Smoking is the most common risk factor for bladder cancer. For this reason, if a patient is diagnosed with this type of cancer, it is vitally important to stop smoking. Working with enamels, paints or varnishes is also a risk factor.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

The most common and visible sign of bladder cancer is painless hematuria, blood in the urine. Sometimes tumors do not produce enough blood to be observed by the patient himself (microscopic hematuria) and can only be detected with the aid of a microscope. Therefore, it is advisable for smokers and workers in contact with the substances described above to undergo an annual urological examination with urinalysis and ultrasound.

On the other hand, the appearance of blood in the urine does not necessarily imply bladder cancer, but can be caused by infections, kidney stones, medication or overexertion. However, irritation when urinating, urgency and the constant need to urinate may be symptoms of bladder cancer.

Diagnosis

After ultrasound and urinalysis (sediment and cytology) a cystoscopy is necessary. The UROSALUD center has a flexible cystoscope, which allows to see the inside of the bladder and urethra through a flexible silicone telescope on an outpatient basis. This procedure minimizes the discomfort of the test performed in the office. The cystoscope is introduced through the urethra, after administration of lubricating gel with anesthetic and antiseptic to reduce possible discomfort. During cystoscopy, we examine in detail the urethra, prostate and bladder.

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Treatments

Depending on the type of bladder cancer or tumor, urohealth will recommend one of the following alternatives:
Transurethral Resection of Bladder Lesion (TURBT): it is a non-invasive surgery that is performed transurethrally to remove blood and possible tumor lesion. There is less than a 10% risk of infection or injury with this technique which is easily correctable.

  • Intravesical therapy: These are local chemotherapies or immunotherapies for non-invasive tumors in urohealth we have the most advanced modalities thermotherapy or electrotherapy, to prevent relapse of these tumors.
  • Excision and reconstruction of the bladder or radical cystectomy: Consists of the complete removal of the bladder and the lymph nodes surrounding it (in men the prostate and in women the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix). Once the bladder is removed, a new pathway will be created for the urine to be expelled from the body. This procedure can be done either by classic open surgery or by a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach.
  • Chemotherapy: Intravenous drugs are used to treat the cancer systematically when it is metastatic.
  • Bladder-conserving therapy: This is a therapy based on the use of chemotherapy and close follow-up with CT and Cystoscopy in the operating room that allows bladder preservation in a subgroup of patients with infiltrating bladder tumor.