Bladder Cancer - Treatments, Symptoms, Causes
What is bladder cancer? What are the treatment options?What are the causes and symptoms?
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the bladder, the organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine. It is the fourth most common cancer in men and the ninth most common in women, with an estimated 84,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. This article will discuss the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and treatments for bladder cancer, as well as some of the latest developments in targeted therapy and immunotherapy for this disease.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown, but several factors can increase a person's risk of developing the disease. These include:
- Smoking: Smoking is the single most significant risk factor for bladder cancer, accounting for about half of all cases.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: People who work with certain chemicals, such as those used in the dye and rubber industries, may have an increased risk of bladder cancer.
- Chronic bladder inflammation: People with long-term bladder infections or inflammation may be at higher risk for bladder cancer.
- Age: The risk of bladder cancer increases with age, with most cases occurring in people over 55.
- Gender: Men are about three to four times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women.
- Race: White people are more likely to develop bladder cancer than people of other races.
Symptoms
The symptoms of bladder cancer can be similar to those of other urinary tract conditions, such as bladder infections or kidney stones. Some of the most common symptoms of bladder cancer include the following:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria): This is the most common symptom of bladder cancer, and it usually occurs suddenly and without pain.
- Painful urination: Some people with bladder cancer may experience pain or burning when they urinate.
- Frequent urination: People with bladder cancer may need to urinate more often than usual.
- Urgent urination: People with bladder cancer may feel a sudden, intense urge to urinate, even if they have emptied their bladder.
- Back pain: In some cases, bladder cancer can cause pain in the lower back or pelvis.
Diagnosis and Staging
Bladder cancer is usually diagnosed with imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, and a biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of tissue from the bladder for examination under a microscope. Once bladder cancer has been diagnosed, it is staged to determine how far it has spread. Staging is based on the size and location of the tumor, as well as whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs.
Treatments for Bladder Cancer
The treatment of bladder cancer depends on the stage and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health and preferences. Some of the most common treatments for bladder cancer include:
- Surgery: Surgery is often used to remove early-stage bladder cancer and some cases of advanced bladder cancer. In some cases, the entire bladder may need to be removed, and the patient may need to use a bag to collect urine.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is sometimes used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with surgery or radiation therapy.
New Generation Drugs: Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy
In recent years, there have been significant advances in the treatment of bladder cancer with new-generation drugs, mainly targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. These treatments are designed to target specific molecules or cells involved in signals that promote the growth and survival of cancer cells. They work by interfering with specific molecules involved in the development and spread of cancer cells, such as proteins or enzymes. One example of a targeted therapy drug used to treat bladder cancer is Erdafitinib, which targets FGFR3 mutations in a subset of bladder cancers.
Immunotherapy drugs, on the other hand, work by boosting the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. These drugs target specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells or immune cells, such as PD-1 or PD-L1. Immunotherapy drugs can help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively by blocking these proteins. Some examples of immunotherapy drugs used to treat bladder cancer include atezolizumab, durvalumab, and pembrolizumab.
PET-CT Scan for Imaging
In addition to traditional imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, doctors may also use a PET-CT scan to help diagnose and stage bladder cancer. A PET-CT scan is an imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive material to produce detailed images of the body. The radioactive material is injected into the patient's bloodstream, and a special camera is used to detect the radiation emitted. This allows doctors to see detailed images of the body's internal organs and tissues, including any areas of cancer.
Conclusion
Bladder cancer is common cancer caused by various factors, including smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, and chronic bladder inflammation. Symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, painful urination, frequent urination, and back pain. Bladder cancer is usually diagnosed with a combination of imaging tests and biopsy and is staged to determine how far it has spread. Treatments for bladder cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and new-generation drugs like targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In addition, PET-CT scans can help diagnose and stage bladder cancer, providing doctors with detailed images of the body's internal organs and tissues.