Bladder Cancer - More FAQs You Should Know!

(Image credit to ‘Getty Images’)

As the name implies, bladder cancer is a kind of cancerous tumor (abnormal cells) that begins /occurs in the bladder. However, not all cases of this cancer are derived from the original cells of bladder. There are also a type called ‘secondary type’ - it is a cancer from other parts of the body (particularly nearby sites) that spread into bladder. In many cases, the cancer in this organ begins from the cells of the inside bladder. 

Before continuing, you might also like to read the previous articles about early bladder cancer treatment options! 

Bladder is a crucial organ to store your urine. It is a balloon-shaped organ located in the pelvic area of our body. Cancer can significantly impair the function of this organ - even when the disease is diagnosed at later stage or very later stages, it can be potentially life-threatening! Although the disease is more common in adults, but it also can occur in children, young adults, or even at any age!

Symptoms in men and women - does bladder cancer cause pain?

The initial symptoms may not occur, but if they do occur blood in urine (doctors often call it ‘haematuria’) is usually the most common sign. According to the Cancer Research UK -- about 4 out 5 patients experience this symptom. For this sign, the color of urine is characterized by bright red (in many cases) or dark brown (in rare cases). Read more detailed information about symptoms of bladder cancer!

Sometimes, blood in the urine is not noticeable - there may be only small amounts! For this case, an appropriately urine test is usually needed. Moreover, the blood may not be always noticed in the urine, because it may come and go.

(Male & female urinary system -image credit © to MayoClinic)

Since the bleeding is often painless, patient may often ignore it. If you notice this sign, don’t choose ‘watchful waiting’ - see your GP or doctor promptly for clearly diagnosis and more advice! 

The following are other signs that may be present:

1. Painful urination (you feel pain when you pass urine).
2. Frequent urination problem (you pass some small amounts of urine, but more often than usual).
3. Uncontrollable urination /you often need to pass urine in urgency condition (it often occurs suddenly).

In many cases, these urgency urination, frequent urination, and painful urination are also often associated with a kind of urine infection. Therefore, having these symptoms doesn’t mean you definitely have a bladder cancer. However, if you experience one or some of them - make sure you tell to your doctor! 

How do you get bladder cancer - what is the cause of the disease?

The cause of cancer in the bladder cannot be exactly pinpointed. But experts confirm that there are some conditions or factors (risk factors) that may put you at higher risk of having this kind of cancer. These factors include:

1. Family history /personal history of bladder cancer. 
2. Having a history of other cancers. The cancer itself (for any cancer of any site of the body) has a chance to spread into the bladder. Furthermore, the previous cancer treatment (such as Cytoxan - a kind of anti-cancer drug) also can increase the risk.
3. Cigarette smoking! Unfriendly chemicals from tobacco can accumulate into the bladder which then can increase the risk of altering healthy cells to become abnormal cells.
4. Exposure to certain chemicals (particularly such as polycyclic hydrocarbons and arylamines). O-toluidine, Xenylamine, Benzidine, 2-Naphthylamine, 4-Aminobiphenyl, Aniline dyes are some chemicals of arylamines group.
5. Menopause that comes earlier - a study found that women who have menopause normally (at the age of 48 or over) are less likely to develop bladder cancer than women with early menopause (menopause comes before the age of 42-45).
6. Age! Your risk increases as you get older. As mentioned before the disease is more common in adults and older adults - the disease is rarely found in individuals with younger than 40 of age.
7. Gender - men are more likely than women to develop this disease.
8. Diabetes! Individuals with type-2 diabetes are at higher risk (40 %) to develop bladder cancer. There is also a theory that certain medication for diabetes (like pioglitazone) may increase the risk.
9. Chronic /repeated bladder infections and inflammations.
10. Poor diet! Keep on a balanced diet (such as adequately eating fresh vegetables and fruit) may significantly keep lower your risk of developing this disease. Drinking alcohol in moderation is also important, some experts believe that this way may also help keep lower your risk. 
11. Hair dye! Some studies found that the use of hair dye may increase the risk of bladder cancer, while other research still not find the clearly answer. To keep safe, it is much better to avoid it if you actually don’t need it.
12. Bladder stone! It is a condition to describe little lumps of Ca (calcium) that form in tract of urinary. If you have it, you are also at high risk of developing squamous cell bladder cancer.
13. Certain condition of prostate surgery! Men who got a surgery to partially remove their prostate gland as an option to treat benign (non-cancerous) overgrowth of prostate have higher risk of developing bladder cancer.

What is bladder cancer metastasis?

It is a term used to describe a condition when the cancer from bladder has spread to other parts or distinct organs of the body. 

Urethra, ureters, prostate (in men) and kidneys are some nearby sites that often affected in patients with bladder cancer. At later stages, cancer also can spread to distinct organs /parts of the body (such as bones, distant lymph nodes, lungs, and liver).

Is bladder cancer curable - can it be cured?

The answer is very complex, because in general each case of cancer is unique. But the stage of the disease (how far the cancer has spread or whether it has not spread) is usually the significantly factor that influences the prognosis and outlook of patient. 

Read more detailed information about stages of this cancer and prognosis of patient in here! Other factors that affect the prognosis are age of patient, type and grade of cancer, and overall health of patient.

In general, patients with early bladder cancer have better prognosis than others at later stages. Even for very early stage of this cancer, the chance to successfully cure the disease is pretty good and the cancer usually also will not come back after the treatment. 

Fortunately, there are now more cases of bladder cancer that are diagnosed early - when the cancer is at most treatable stage. Consult more with a doctor /specialist for in-depth information!

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Reference: MayoClinic and articles published on the Cancer Research UK