Have you ever been scared when your urine suddenly changes color, turns pink, or has blood in it? Or do you feel like you need to urinate more often? It is normal for anyone to feel a little nervous when they see a symptom like this. But if we understand all this correctly, we can successfully cope with this situation. Today we are going to talk about a topic that many people are reluctant to talk about, but we all need to be aware of, that is, bladder cancer.
What exactly is bladder cancer?
Simply put, bladder cancer is when cells in our bladder start to grow abnormally and out of control. Did you know that our bladder is a small sac-like organ. The urine produced by our kidneys is temporarily stored in this bladder before it leaves the body.
So, the cells in the inner wall of this bladder change abnormally, and they divide uncontrollably and form a tumor. This is what we call bladder cancer. Over time, these cancer cells can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other organs. In some severe cases, there is a risk of spreading to distant organs such as the bones, lungs, or liver.
What are the main types of bladder cancer?
There are several main types of bladder cancer. Your doctor will decide on your treatment based on the type of cancer you have.
| Cancer type | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Transitional Cell Carcinoma | This is the most common type. It arises from cells called urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder. Since these cells are also found in other parts of the urinary system, the doctor will examine the entire urinary system. |
| Squamous Cell Carcinoma | This is a bit rare. Most often, this type is caused by long-term bladder infections or pressure from continuous use of a catheter. |
| Adenocarcinoma | This is also a very rare type. This cancer begins in the glandular cells of the bladder. |
| Small Cell Carcinoma | A very fast-growing, rare type of cancer that starts in nerve cells and is usually treated with chemotherapy. |
| Sarcoma | These are a very rare type of cancer that starts in the muscle cells of the bladder. |
What are the risk factors for developing bladder cancer?
Although it is difficult to pinpoint a specific cause of cancer, doctors have identified several factors that increase the risk of developing this disease.
The most important thing is smoking. Studies have shown that smoking is the cause of 50% of bladder cancers. Every time you smoke a cigarette, a lot of harmful chemicals enter your body.
Other risk factors are:
- Age and gender: Men over the age of 55 are at higher risk of developing this disease.
- Family history: If someone close to you, such as your parents or siblings, has had bladder cancer or cancer of the urinary system, you are also at higher risk.
- Exposure to harmful chemicals: People in certain professions, such as the paint industry, printing industry, beauticians, and truck drivers, have to be exposed to harmful chemicals for long periods of time. This is also a risk.
- Frequent urinary tract infections: Having bladder infections or other inflammatory conditions for a long time also increases the risk.
- Certain diabetes medications: There is some evidence that long-term use of certain diabetes medications, such as pioglitazone, may slightly increase the risk.
- Previous cancer treatment: If you have received radiation therapy to the pelvic area or chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide, your risk may be increased.
What are the symptoms? How can you recognize it early?
The symptoms of bladder cancer can vary depending on the stage of the disease. The most important thing is to see a doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms.
| Symptoms of bladder cancer | |
|---|---|
| Early stage symptoms (Stage I) | |
| The main feature | Blood in the urine (hematuria). The urine may be pink, orange, or dark red. This may not always be noticeable. |
| Other features |
|
| Symptoms that occur when the disease progresses (Advanced Stages) | |
| |
Women, especially, may ignore blood in urine, thinking it's just a menstrual cycle or another gynecological problem. Therefore , it's important to talk to a doctor about any unusual bleeding.
How is cancer diagnosed?
If you have symptoms, your doctor will order several tests to confirm whether you have bladder cancer.
- Urinalysis: Check for blood in the urine or infection.
- Cytology: A urine sample is examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
- Cystoscopy: This is the most important and accurate test. In this, a thin tube with a camera attached is inserted through the urethra and directly into the bladder. If there is a tumor, it can be clearly seen.
- Biopsy: During a cystoscopy, a small piece of suspicious tissue is taken to confirm whether it is cancerous.
If cancer is confirmed, tests such as a CT scan , MRI scan , or chest X-ray may be required to determine how far it has spread (staging).
What are the treatments?
Don't worry, bladder cancer is a very treatable disease, especially if detected early. Treatment depends on the type of cancer, its stage, and your overall health.
Surgery
This is the most commonly used treatment.
- TURBT (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor): Similar to cystoscopy, a device is inserted through the urethra to cut out only the cancerous tumor from the bladder wall. This is done for early-stage cancer.
- Partial Cystectomy: If the cancer is limited to one part of the bladder, only that part of the bladder is removed.
- Radical Cystectomy: If the cancer has spread to the muscle layer of the bladder, the entire bladder may need to be removed. In this case, a urinary diversion is created to allow urine to drain from the body.
Other treatments
- Chemotherapy: Giving drugs to kill cancer cells. Sometimes, after TURBT, drugs are given directly into the bladder through a tube (intravesical chemotherapy) to kill any remaining cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: Destroying cancer cells using high-energy rays.
- Immunotherapy: Stimulates our body's own immune system to fight cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: Using drugs that attack specific targets necessary for the growth of cancer cells.
Take-Home Message
- The biggest risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking. If you smoke, try to quit today.
- Blood in the urine is the most common and earliest symptom of this disease. If you notice anything like this, do not delay and see your doctor immediately.
- If diagnosed early, this disease can be treated very successfully. The 5-year survival rate is as high as 77%.
- Drink plenty of water and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. These can help reduce the risk.
- In the event of any health problem, it is wise to seek medical advice without fear or doubt.
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