| Bladder
Cancer Information |
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Bladder cancer is one of the more common cancers
in adults. However, malignant tumors in the urinary bladder have a high
survival rate when found in early stages. Kidney cancer is rarer but also
is often treated successfully if diagnosed early.
 Bladder
cancer usually originates in the bladder lining, which consists of a mucous
layer of surface cells that expand and deflate (transitional epithelial
cells), smooth muscle, and a fibrous layer. Tumors are categorized as
low-stage (superficial) or high-stage (muscle invasive).
Symptoms - such as blood in the urine (hematuria), lower abdominal pain,
urinary frequency, bladder irriration, fever and weight loss - can mimic
those of common, benign conditions, but hematuria should always raise
suspicions until a diagnosis is confirmed.
The
choice of treatment for you or your loved one depends on the stage of
the disease, the presence of frailty or other medical conditions (given
that bladder cancer more commonly affects older people), how aggressive
the disease seems to be and the person's preferences. Treatment usually
consists of a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or
immunotherapy.
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