What Causes Bladder Cancer?

If you think you may have bladder cancer, you may want to learn more about the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. Read this article to learn more about the disease. You’ll also learn how to identify the different types of this condition, as well as its early symptoms. If you’re concerned that you may have it, schedule a free consultation with your doctor. It’s important to know what causes bladder cancer so that you can start treatment as soon as possible.

Symptoms of bladder cancer

If you experience blood in your urine, you may be experiencing the symptoms of bladder cancer. This is called hematuria, and can be seen in 8 out of 10 people with bladder cancer. Depending on the type, the blood may be dark red or light, or it may be microscopic. Urinary tests can detect this symptom. If you’re not sure if you have blood in your urine, schedule a urine test.

Pain in the lower abdomen or back may be a sign of bladder cancer. These symptoms are not common, but you should see a doctor if you experience any of them. Blood in the urine should never be ignored. If you notice blood in your urine, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your physician may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. If you’re not sure, ask your doctor for a urine culture and urine urinalysis.

Treatments

Treatments for bladder cancer include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy works by using a live bacterium, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), to induce the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. A specific type of BCG is used for bladder cancer. The BCG germ is closely related to that used for tuberculosis vaccination. In this treatment, the BCG germ is injected into the bladder through a catheter. The BCG bacteria activate the immune system in the bladder and kill cancer cells.

The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial cell carcinoma, which starts in the lining of the bladder. Adenocarcinoma, a more rare type, originates in the glandular cells of the bladder’s interior lining. Squamous cell cancer, on the other hand, starts in the bladder’s squamous cells and is usually caused by recurrent infections. Patients may receive chemotherapy to shrink tumors and reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

Risk factors

There are three main pieces to the puzzle of bladder cancer: its incidence, risk factors, and its risk factor for spinal cord injury survivors. The following is a summary of some of these risk factors. If you have been affected by a spinal cord injury or have had kidney stones, you should consult your doctor. However, there are many other factors that may increase your risk. Listed below are a few risk factors for bladder cancer and ways to reduce your risk.

One of the first steps to reducing your risk of bladder cancer is to make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible. Regular check-ups are very important to detect the disease in its early stages. The risk of developing bladder cancer increases with age, but it can be decreased with regular exams. A visit to a doctor can help detect the disease before it spreads and cause further damage. Also, people with systemic sclerosis have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer than the general population.

Diagnosis

The doctor can use several tests to determine if you have bladder cancer. A physical examination may involve looking at the vagina and rectum for any abnormalities and performing a urine test to see whether any abnormal cells are present. CT scans, also known as computed tomography (CT) scans, provide detailed images of the inside of the bladder and may help determine the stage and recommended therapy. In some cases, your doctor may also perform a biopsy using a cystoscope, a long tube with a lens at its tip.

A biopsy is the most common test used to diagnose bladder cancer. A thin needle is inserted into the bladder to remove a sample for testing. This biopsy can be done under ultrasound or CT scan guidance. Additional tests may also be performed to determine whether you have spread the cancer to other organs or to distant sites in your body. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you’ll need follow-up tests for years. If you’re concerned about a discolored urine or other symptoms, you should consult a doctor.