About Bladder Cancer Treatments

Cancer of the bladder is usually diagnosed at early stages and has high survival rates. Effective treatments for bladder cancer depend on the stage of cancer and include surgery to remove the tumor and may also include immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation. People with symptoms of bladder cancer should see a doctor right away so that diagnosis and treatment can begin as quickly as possible.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of bladder cancer include frequent painful urination, blood in the urine, and abdominal and back pain.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for developing bladder cancer include smoking, exposure to chemicals in rubber, paints, textiles and arsenic, as well as chemotherapy and radiation medications. Other factors include
  the long-term use of a urinary catheter, age, being male or Caucasian, and a family history of cancer.

Transitional Cell Carcinoma

• The most common type of bladder cancer in the United States is transitional cell carcinoma, which is cancer of the cells that line the inside of the bladder, ureter and urethra.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder is caused by irritations and infections of the bladder, particularly by schistosomiasis, which is a parasitic infection.

Adenocarcinoma

• Adenocarcinoma is cancer of the cells of the bladder that secrete mucus and according to the Mayo Clinic is rare in the United States.

Features

• According to the Mayo Clinic, bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence and requires survivors to undergo regular follow up testing.

Prevention/Solution

• Eating a healthy diet, including foods like fruits and vegetables with antioxidants, avoiding smoking, having your well water tested for arsenic and avoiding exposure to chemicals can lower the risk of developing bladder cancer.