It is important to detect the symptoms of bladder cancer in time so that the treatment will be more successful, so it is good to remember them.
On average, about 75,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When detected at an early stage, bladder cancer can be successfully treated. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as avoiding tobacco smoke and certain chemicals, can greatly reduce the risk, and knowing the symptoms of the disease can sometimes also save a life.
dr. Ahmed Eldefrawy, a specialist in urological oncology reveals which four symptoms you must pay attention to because they can also detect bladder cancer.
What do you need to know about bladder cancer?
dr. Eldefrawy states that bladder cancer can be divided into two types: non-muscle-invasive cancers and muscle-invasive cancers. Non-muscle invasive cancer is often less aggressive and can be treated endoscopically. It often comes back again, so it is necessary to monitor the condition. Another type of bladder cancer grows deep in the bladder tissue and spreads to the bladder muscle. This form is extremely aggressive and deadly.
The most important risk factor is smoking.
“It is believed that 30 to 40 percent of all bladder cancers are directly related to smoking. More than 50 harmful compounds were found in cigarette smoke that promote the formation of tumors, the most important of which are amines and tar,” explained Dr. M.Sc. sc. Antonio Plešnar, MD, specialist urologist for the portal Ordinacija.hr, and added that frequent urinary infections, either with bacteria or viruses, as well as frequent radiation can lead to the appearance of tumors.
1. Blood in the urine
dr. Eldefrawy explains how this can be a symptom of a serious disease: “Blood in the urine can be a symptom even if it occurs only once and the problem disappears. The blood does not have to be bright red, it can be brownish. Be sure not to ignore this symptom.”
2. Red blood cells in the urine
Visible microscopically, they can be a symptom of a disease. “If, after analyzing the urine, the doctor determines that red blood cells are present in the urine, even though the blood is not visible, this can be a symptom,” says Dr. Eldefrawy.
3. Loss of appetite
“Loss of appetite and weight, fatigue, weakness or pain in the lower back can be symptoms of bladder cancer as well as cancer in an advanced stage. If you notice any of these symptoms, especially a combination, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible for an examination.
4. Frequent urination
According to the doctor, a change in urination, and if it is a symptom that does not go away, such as frequent urination, may indicate bladder cancer.
“Common symptoms of bladder cancer are often related to urination. These symptoms can be frequent urination, pain while urinating or a constant feeling that the bladder is full. Patients can also notice a change in the strength of the stream when urinating, which may indicate that the tumor is close to the ureter or symptoms such as the feeling of constantly having to go to the toilet.
Diagnostic
Unfortunately, several months can pass before the start of therapy, partly due to the patient’s lack of response and partly due to unrecognized symptomatology, which is considered to be inflammation of the urinary bladder, explained Dr. Plešnar and added:
To diagnose a tumor, it is necessary to perform laboratory or cytological/flow cytometry DNA gene content, absorption cytophotometry/urine examination. In addition, it is necessary to perform an ultrasound examination, a cystoscopic examination/direct examination with a camera/, sometimes CT, MRI or PET CT. After that, pieces of tissue are taken from the bladder for pathohistological diagnosis.
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