Bladder cancer is cancer that attacks the interior walls of the bladder. The bladder is the organ that empties after the kidneys have processed waste from the blood. The waste is called urine. According to cancer.gov, there are three types of bladder cancer. These three types of cancer are named for the location in which they arise.
- Transitional cell carcinoma: this is cancer that grows in the innermost cells of the bladder. These cells multiply when the bladder is full and decrease when the bladder is empty.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: this cancer begins in the tiny, flat cells that line the bladder. This cancer begins after a long-term infection or inflammation.
- Adenocarcinoma: this cancer begins in the glandular cells. This cancer is most often caused by inflammation or a long-term irritation.
There are many signs and symptoms of bladder cancer, inlcuding:
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blood in the urine
- Lower back pain.
The exact cause of bladder cancer is not yet known. However, it has been said there are many contributors to bladder cancer. According to PubMed Health there are many carcinogens that can contribute to the cause of bladder cancer; these include.
- Smoking
- A person’s age
- A person’s race
- The chemicals a person is exposed to while at work.
There is remarkably little medical evidence to support theories that artificial sweeteners have contributed to some cases of bladder cancer.
After a physician has diagnosed a person with bladder cancer, that physician will start the staging process of the cancer, which ranges from stage zero to stage five. Depending on the severity of the cancer, the doctor will recommend one or a combination of several types of treatment. Treatment can comprise:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy.
Sometimes chemotherapy will be given directly into the cancer cells, and sometimes it will be given through the veins. How the chemotherapy is administered will depend on the state of the person's cancer. If the cancer is noninvasive, meaning it has not spread to the lymph nodes and surrounding organs, the chemotherapy will be given directly into the bladder. However in advanced stages when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and surrounding organs, chemotherapy will be given intravenously through the veins. If cancer has spread, chemotherapy is given through the veins because the drugs are expected to attack cancer cells throughout the body. Quitting smoking will reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Stacey Gaubatz - I was born in North Carolina. I began writing in high school. I was first published in my district writing publication. I just began, late ...
