Know about Cancer

What is Bladder Cancer?

The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that lies in the area surrounded by the hipbones, an area called the pelvis. The bladder acts as a reservoir to collect urine from the kidneys. The muscles of the bladder assist in the passing of urine from the lower urinary passage (urethra). The cells lining the bladder can develop abnormally and result in bladder cancer.

How common is Bladder Cancer?

In India, bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer in men. This cancer usually occurs after the age of 40 years and is seen mostly in people between 50 to 70 years of age. It is about three times more common in men than in women.

Causes and Risks

This cancer has been associated with smoking, the exposure to certain chemicals related to the aniline dye industry, and chronic infections with schistosomiasis (a parasite) which is common in the Middle East and Africa.

Sypmtoms

The most common symptom is passing out bloodstained urine. This is usually not painful. Blood in the urine associated with pain is usually due to infection or stone disease. Bleeding in bladder cancer is usually more severe and linked with the passing out of blood clots. Occasionally, the cancer can cause blockage in the bladder and give rise to difficulty in passing urine. If there is blood in the urine, especially if a person is above 40 years old, it is important not to rule out bladder cancer.

Diagnosis

If bladder cancer is suspected, the doctor will arrange for a cystoscopy, an examination where a flexible fibre-optic tube with a light source is used to look at the urethra and the bladder. This can be done under local or general anaesthetic. Removal of a small amount of tissue from the lining of the bladder can also be done. Scans of the pelvis and abdomen may be arranged to look at the other areas that may be affected by the cancer. A bone scan may be ordered if the bones are suspected to be affected by the cancer.