A Simple Guide to Bladder Cancer

A Simple Guide to Bladder Cancer

-----------------

What is Bladder Cancer?

-----------------

Bladder cancer is a growth of abnormal cells forming a malignant tumour in the bladder. Most bladder cancers start in the inner lining of the bladder.

What are the different types of Bladder Cancer?

-----------------------------------------------

There are 2 main types of Bladder Cancer:

1.superficial cancer

the cancer is contained on the inner lining of the bladder.

They may occur as a small, wart-like growths on the inside of the bladder, which can be removed in a simple operation and usually will never recur.

2.invasive cancer

where the cancer has spread into the muscle wall of the bladder.

Examples are:

a.large growth in the muscle wall of the bladder, which requires major surgery to remove.

b.mushroom-like growths( papillary cancers)on the inside lining of the bladder. They have a short stem attached to the lining of the bladder and can spread into the wall of the bladder.

Treatment is different for these two types of bladder cancer.

What are the causes of Bladder Cancer?

-----------------------------------------------

There are a few factors which increase the risk of getting bladder cancer:

1.Smoking

chemicals in a cigarette have been found to contribute to bladder cancer. The more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk.

2.Exposure to harmful, cancer-causing chemicals

Certain chemicals at the workplace, for example, those used in dye factories, rubber, gasworks, plastics and other chemical industries, can cause a higher risk of contracting bladder cancer in workers.

It can take about 25 years after exposure to these chemicals before bladder cancer develops.These chemicals may have been banned in some countries.

3.Frequent bouts of cystitis

Cystitis caused by repeated bacterial infections and bladder stones can lead to the development of bladder cancer.

4.Age and Gender

Bladder cancer occurs mostly among people aged between 50 - 70 years.

It is twice as common in men as in women.

It is rare in people below age 40.

What are the symptoms of Bladder Cancer?

---------------------------------------------------

The most common symptom is

1.blood in the urine which usually occurs suddenly and is generally not painful.

The blood may not be present constantly but eventually it does recur.

In some cases, blood clots can form and these may cause painful muscle spasms in the bladder. The amount of blood present is however not related to the extent of the cancer.

2. burning feeling when they pass urine.

3. frequency of urination.

While these are also symptoms of bladder irritation, further tests would be necessary if they persist and do not clear with antibiotics.

How can Bladder Cancer be treated?

------------------------------------------

The treatment for bladder cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage and grade.

It also depends on the health of the patient.

Superficial cancers:

Superficial cancers, which can be single or multiple, are usually removed using a cystoscope. Anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) may be instilled into the bladder to try to prevent the cancer recurring.

Invasive cancers

the options are as follows:

Surgery

The most common treatment method is surgery to remove a part of the bladder.

A new bladder is sometimes constructed if it has to be removed.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy may be used instead of surgery to avoid removal of the bladder. Radiotherapy may also be used before surgery in cases of large tumours to facilitate the tumour removal or if there is a high risk of cancer cells left behind after surgery.

Chemotherapy

In some cases, chemotherapy is given before surgery or radiotherapy to shrink the tumour so that it can be treated more effectively. Chemotherapy is also applied after surgery to reduce the recurrence of the tumour.The drug can be instilled into the bladder to maximise contact with the cancer cells.

Once the cancer has spread outside the bladder, the main treatment is chemotherapy.

Removal of bladder

------------------------

In a small proportion of people with bladder cancer, the bladder may completely removed.

The surgeon will then give the patients an urostomy - an artificial opening from the urinary tract.The opening is usually formed on the abdomen, to the right of the navel. Wrinkles, scars and prominent underlying bones must be avoided, as placing the opening near them may cause problems with leakage later on.

Ensure that the bag is emptied and changed as often as necessary.

At first the opening will be slightly swollen.

It may take several weeks for it to reduce to its normal size.

There may also be mucus (a thick white substance) from the opening. The amount of mucus will gradually reduce over time but will never disappear completely.
Most people with an urostomy live a normal life. Many return to their jobs and take up their favourite pastimes again, including swimming.
Now with advancement of plastic surgery a new bladder can be constructed easily and the days of urostomy may be over.

A Simple Guide to Prostate Cancer

A Simple Guide to Prostate Cancer

-----------------------------------------

What is prostate cancer?

------------------------------

Cancer of the prostate occurs when the cells of the prostate gland mutates and turn cancerous.

Prostate cancer is a group of abnormal cells in the prostate which is a gland about the size of a walnut found in men between the bladder and rectum.

It produces and secretes prostatic fluid, one of the main components of semen.

How does prostate cancer occur?

---------------------------------------

Prostate cancer occurs when a malignant (harmful) tumour develops inside the gland. This could be caused by the male hormone testosterone.

However, the exact cause of prostate cancer is not known.

What are the types of Prostate Cancer?

----------------------------------------------

Prostate cancer can be

1.aggressive, which means it grows quickly and spreads to other parts of the body, such as the bone.

2.slow-growing, where the cancer patient can expect to live as long as men who do not have cancer. Most patients with slow-growing cancer will never have symptoms.

Three out of four cases of prostate cancer are of the slow-growing type that is relatively harmless.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

----------------------------------------------------

Those with prostate cancer may experience similar symptoms to those with enlarged prostate gland and prostatitis (infection of the prostate gland), such as:
1.Difficulty starting to urinate

2.Having an interrupted or weak flow of urine

3.Dribbling after you finish urinating

4.Urinating too frequently, especially at night

5.Blood or pus in the urine

6.Pain or burning feeling while urinating

Other symptoms include:

1.Being unable to have an erection

2.Having blood in the semen

3.Constant pain in the hips, upper thighs or lower back area

Who is affected by prostate cancer?

------------------------------------------

Prostate cancer usually develop slowly, and is seldom the sole or final cause of death.

Men over 65 years of age are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

However, men aged 50 and above with a close relative who has had prostate cancer before 60 years of age, have a higher risk and should go for screening.

How can prostate cancer be detected?

--------------------------------------------

Your doctor may examine your prostate by putting a gloved, lubricated finger a few inches into your rectum to feel your prostate gland. A normal prostate feels firm. If there are hard spots on the prostate, your doctor may suspect cancer.It is difficult to detect prostate cancer accurately.

The current approach is to measure the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) present in the blood. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate. However, this test is not always reliable. This is because infections or an enlarged prostate can also increase PSA levels and affect the test results.

Thus, a biopsy is normally used to confirm the diagnosis.

How is prostate cancer treated?

-------------------------------------

Surgery, radiation and drugs are the main treatment options.

They can cure prostate cancer if it's caught early.

However, these treatments can cause serious problems, such as impotence and incontinence.

Surgery or radiation may help treat the more aggressive cancers that are most often found in middle-aged men.

In serious cases, the tumour in the prostate gland can be removed with surgery.

After surgery, it is important that the patient has a healthy diet to build up strength and resistance. The patient must also be monitored closely, as in some cases the cancer could recur.

In rare cases,chemotherapy may be necessary for cancer which has spread to outside of the prostate.

Some mild cases may not require surgery, but require regular monitoring by doctors.

The treatment decision will depend on a combination of clinical and psychological factors.

Men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer today will likely live for many years.

Careful consideration of the different options is an important first step in deciding on the best treatment course.
Consultation with all three types of prostate cancer specialists—a urologist, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist—will offer the most comprehensive assessment of the available treatments and expected outcomes.