Bladder Cancer

One kind of cancer that starts in the cells lining the urinary bladder—the organ in charge of storing pee—is bladder cancer. More often found in older persons, especially men, it is strongly linked to smoking, industrial chemical exposure, and persistent bladder irritation. Although other forms, including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, can occasionally arise, urothelial carcinoma—transitional cell carcinoma—is the most common variety.

Typical symptoms include lower abdomen pain, frequent or painful urination, haematuria—that is, blood in the urine—and the need to urinate. Often the first obvious symptom is haematuria; hence, it should never be disregarded.
Urine tests, cystoscopy—a process whereby the bladder is seen using a thin camera—and imaging modalities including CT urogram or ultrasonic are part of the diagnosis. Under cystoscopy, a biopsy aids in the confirmation of the cancer's type and stage. Treatment varies depending on the stage and grade of the cancer as well as whether it advanced and calls for radical cystectomy or transurethral resections (TURBT), intravesical therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment.