Every year approximately 80,000 Americans get diagnosed with bladder cancer. Out of this number, around 17,000 people lose their lives to this fatal disease. In order to diagnose bladder cancer and be able to effectively treat it before it reaches the advanced stages, here’s what you need to understand about it. Bladder cancer symptoms can be very similar to the symptoms of other conditions like bladder infection or kidney stones. However, one needs to always be cautious about these signs as it could mean that something serious is still yet to be detected.
1. Bladder Cancer is more prominent among men
In comparison to women men are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer, as it is the fourth most common type cancer affecting mainly men. While doctors aren’t exactly sure of the reason, studies suggest that it may be connected to a group of hormones known as androgens which influence the growth of tumors within the bladder.
Although men are at a higher risk of contracting bladder cancer, women have a higher mortality rate with bladder cancer, as per the American Society for Clinical Oncology. This is one reason why people need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer.
2. What are the signs and symptoms to look out for?
The first symptom for those who are diagnosed with bladder cancer is blood being visibly present in the urine. But, this should not be confused with a urinary tract infection or menstruation. Also, blood can be present in the urine but it may not be visible to the naked eye. In this case, you should always get any blood in the urine or other symptoms such as burning or pain during urination and lower back, pelvic or abdominal pain evaluated. In doing so your doctor can then prescribe the necessary tests which you will need to take.
3. Bladder cancer detected at stage 0 gives you a 95% survival rate
David Dimick, a successful businessman, husband and father of two children, once noticed blood in his urine in 2013. It was later confirmed by his doctor that he had an aggressive form of bladder cancer for which immediate treatment was recommended. Dave was indeed shocked to receive such bad news, but he knew he needed to take action as soon as possible. The American Cancer Society states that if bladder cancer is detected at stage 0 which is its initial stage, there is 95 % five-year survival rate.
4. In case you have symptoms, here is what you should do:
When you have any such symptoms, you will have to do a series of tests as prescribed by your doctor like a urine culture test to check for any infections. For men, a digital exam will be prescribed to check for any issues with the prostate.
5. Further tests may be required like cystoscopy
Your doctor will only perform further tests once those issues are ruled out. These further tests include cystoscopy which is examining the interior of the bladder or taking small biopsy samples for confirming diagnosis.
6. The most common form of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma
The most common form of bladder cancer which is detected is urothelial carcinoma, which comprises 90% of the cases. 1 in every 3 newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients the case is usually that cancer has spread into deeper layers without leaving the bladder. It is from here onwards that cancer spreads into the lymph nodes which is then known as locally advanced, or to further areas of the body and is labeled metastasized.
7. All cancer cases are unique
Dr. Marc Matrana, M.Sc., F.A.C.P., Senior Medical Oncologist at Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center concluded that every cancer case is unique in its own way. However, there is still hope for even those with advanced bladder cancer, if they work closely with and completely cooperate with their healthcare team to find the best path to move along.
8. The proper treatment
Bladder cancer has a variety of treatment options. Depending on the type and stage of your individual cancer, your doctor will work along with you to determine the best treatment option. It’s still a fact that treatment options generally include surgery which involves removing part of the bladder, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Sometimes some treatments are done together like surgery followed by chemotherapy.
Also, it is necessary to take into account the medical history and current disease status of the patient when evaluating them for treatment, as this helps in determining the best possible treatment option for their particular type of cancer.
9. Treatment includes multiple rounds which is often necessary
People diagnosed with early-stage bladder cancer need to be concerned about the risk of new cancers forming in other parts of the bladder over time. When the cancer is locally advanced or metastatic, most of the time, cancer reappears. There is an 86% chance of locally advanced and metastatic cancer progressing within a two years’ time period.
10. Management of the disease is important
For those who have undergone and progressed beyond their first line of treatment, the treatment journey will definitely seem overwhelming and frightening. However, one should never give up, and persist throughout. Managing the disease is still possible even after progressing beyond the first line of treatment because there are other treatment options available too.
11. Patients can gain some new hope with Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment which works on the immune system, making it locate the cancer cells and destroy it. Immunotherapy directly affects your immune system by enabling it to fight against cancer. IMFINZI (durvalumab) is a currently FDA approved immunotherapy medicine. However, it does cause serious side effects such as inflammation. But, these side effects can be controlled, treatment can be resumed.
12. Consult your doctor
Bladder Cancer is pretty widespread and people diagnosed with such a disease should know that there is always hope and should, therefore, be proactive and consult a doctor regarding to learn about the treatments available.
Talking to your doctor will help you better understand what treatments would best for you and whether IMFINZI. Without discussing all the medical option available to you with your team, you may never know about the various options that have recently emerged, and which can be used in treating your type of cancer.
1. Bladder Cancer is more prominent among men
In comparison to women men are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer, as it is the fourth most common type cancer affecting mainly men. While doctors aren’t exactly sure of the reason, studies suggest that it may be connected to a group of hormones known as androgens which influence the growth of tumors within the bladder.
Although men are at a higher risk of contracting bladder cancer, women have a higher mortality rate with bladder cancer, as per the American Society for Clinical Oncology. This is one reason why people need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer.
2. What are the signs and symptoms to look out for?
The first symptom for those who are diagnosed with bladder cancer is blood being visibly present in the urine. But, this should not be confused with a urinary tract infection or menstruation. Also, blood can be present in the urine but it may not be visible to the naked eye. In this case, you should always get any blood in the urine or other symptoms such as burning or pain during urination and lower back, pelvic or abdominal pain evaluated. In doing so your doctor can then prescribe the necessary tests which you will need to take.
3. Bladder cancer detected at stage 0 gives you a 95% survival rate
David Dimick, a successful businessman, husband and father of two children, once noticed blood in his urine in 2013. It was later confirmed by his doctor that he had an aggressive form of bladder cancer for which immediate treatment was recommended. Dave was indeed shocked to receive such bad news, but he knew he needed to take action as soon as possible. The American Cancer Society states that if bladder cancer is detected at stage 0 which is its initial stage, there is 95 % five-year survival rate.
4. In case you have symptoms, here is what you should do:
When you have any such symptoms, you will have to do a series of tests as prescribed by your doctor like a urine culture test to check for any infections. For men, a digital exam will be prescribed to check for any issues with the prostate.
5. Further tests may be required like cystoscopy
Your doctor will only perform further tests once those issues are ruled out. These further tests include cystoscopy which is examining the interior of the bladder or taking small biopsy samples for confirming diagnosis.
6. The most common form of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma
The most common form of bladder cancer which is detected is urothelial carcinoma, which comprises 90% of the cases. 1 in every 3 newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients the case is usually that cancer has spread into deeper layers without leaving the bladder. It is from here onwards that cancer spreads into the lymph nodes which is then known as locally advanced, or to further areas of the body and is labeled metastasized.
7. All cancer cases are unique
Dr. Marc Matrana, M.Sc., F.A.C.P., Senior Medical Oncologist at Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center concluded that every cancer case is unique in its own way. However, there is still hope for even those with advanced bladder cancer, if they work closely with and completely cooperate with their healthcare team to find the best path to move along.
8. The proper treatment
Bladder cancer has a variety of treatment options. Depending on the type and stage of your individual cancer, your doctor will work along with you to determine the best treatment option. It’s still a fact that treatment options generally include surgery which involves removing part of the bladder, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Sometimes some treatments are done together like surgery followed by chemotherapy.
Also, it is necessary to take into account the medical history and current disease status of the patient when evaluating them for treatment, as this helps in determining the best possible treatment option for their particular type of cancer.
9. Treatment includes multiple rounds which is often necessary
People diagnosed with early-stage bladder cancer need to be concerned about the risk of new cancers forming in other parts of the bladder over time. When the cancer is locally advanced or metastatic, most of the time, cancer reappears. There is an 86% chance of locally advanced and metastatic cancer progressing within a two years’ time period.
10. Management of the disease is important
For those who have undergone and progressed beyond their first line of treatment, the treatment journey will definitely seem overwhelming and frightening. However, one should never give up, and persist throughout. Managing the disease is still possible even after progressing beyond the first line of treatment because there are other treatment options available too.
11. Patients can gain some new hope with Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment which works on the immune system, making it locate the cancer cells and destroy it. Immunotherapy directly affects your immune system by enabling it to fight against cancer. IMFINZI (durvalumab) is a currently FDA approved immunotherapy medicine. However, it does cause serious side effects such as inflammation. But, these side effects can be controlled, treatment can be resumed.
12. Consult your doctor
Bladder Cancer is pretty widespread and people diagnosed with such a disease should know that there is always hope and should, therefore, be proactive and consult a doctor regarding to learn about the treatments available.
Talking to your doctor will help you better understand what treatments would best for you and whether IMFINZI. Without discussing all the medical option available to you with your team, you may never know about the various options that have recently emerged, and which can be used in treating your type of cancer.