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Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer around the world. It is the 6th and 17th most prevalent cancer in men and women, respectively, and commonly occurs in people aged 55 and above. Other lifestyle factors that increase one's risk of bladder cancer include smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, and previous chronic and repeated bladder infections and inflammations.
It is important to note that bladder cancer can cause several symptoms and not all of them have to do with urinary complications. Some symptoms can be unrelated, which is why it is important to seek professional help in diagnosing the condition on time. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Prem Kumar, Consultant - Urology, Uro-oncology, Andrology, Transplant and Robotic Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, shares both common and uncommon symptoms of bladder cancer.
Also Read: The Vitamin That Can Reduce Your Risk Of Prostate Cancer: How To Get Optimum Levels
What Is Bladder Cancer?
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that develops when abnormal cells in the bladder's lining grow uncontrollably, explains Dr Kumar. “It is often categorised into two main types: non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC),” he adds.
NMIBC refers to a tumour that stays within the bladder's inner lining, whereas MIBC is a cancer that spreads into the detrusor muscle of the bladder, which is the thick muscle present in the bladder wall
Other types of bladder cancer include:
- Urothelial carcinoma or transitional cell carcinoma start in the urothelial cells lining the urethra, bladder, ureters, renal pelvis, and some other organs.
- Squamous cell carcinoma begins in squamous cells and is caused after long-term irritation or infection with schistosomiasis, a tropical parasite.
- Adenocarcinoma occurs in glandular cells found in the bladder lining.
- Small cell carcinoma of the bladder originates in neuroendocrine cells, which are like nerve cells that release hormones into the blood.
Common Urinary Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer
Some of the common urinary symptoms of bladder cancer include:
- Hematuria, also known as blood in the urine - a hallmark symptom of bladder cancer
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning during urination
- A strong urge to urinate
- Lower back pain, particularly when the cancer has advanced
Bladder Cancer Also Cause Non-Urinary Symptoms
It is important to recognise the non-urinary symptoms of bladder cancer, as they may often be overlooked, delaying diagnosis and treatment. These include:
- Fatigue due to the body's effort to fight the disease
- Unintentional weight loss, often occurs when the cancer is in an advanced stage
- Bone pain, fractures, and other skeletal issues when bladder cancer metastasises (spreads) to the bones
Early Detection Is Key
According to Dr Kumar, early diagnosis of bladder cancer is critical for several reasons.
He says, “When detected early, bladder cancer is often confined to the lining of the bladder, making it more treatable with less aggressive therapies.” This also helps preserve bladder functions.
In addition, the prognosis is generally more favourable when the cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage. Prognosis is the likely course of the condition, which can be good or poor.
Most importantly, early intervention significantly reduces the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body, which can be problematic.
What To Do
Dr Kumar recommends getting regular check-ups, especially if you have certain risk factors of bladder cancer, including smoking or a family history of bladder cancer. Tests, such as cystoscopy, urine cytology, and imaging studies, can help in early detection and therefore, if you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, it's essential to seek prompt medical attention, the doctor concludes.