Five Early Signs of Bladder Cancer Not to be Ignored
More prevalent among men and the elderly
There are five early signs indicating a man might be suffering from bladder cancer.
There are five early signs indicating a man might be suffering from bladder cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, bladder cancer ranks as the eighth most common cancer type in the United States. Men are four times more likely to be diagnosed with this disease compared to women. Although risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing it in individuals of both genders, symptoms can vary from person to person. Paying close attention to certain changes, especially the presence of blood in urine, is critical.
What is bladder cancer?
Dr. Raj Satkunasivam, a urologic oncologist at Houston Methodist, explains that bladder cancer encompasses any cancer that appears in the bladder. While there are several specific and different types of bladder cancer, more than 90% of these cancers are classified as urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC). This type involves cancer in the cells lining the bladder and urethra, as well as the ureters and renal pelvis, among other organs.
Who is at risk for bladder cancer?
"With numerous risk factors for bladder cancer," says Dr. Satkunasivam, "smoking cigarettes is the most common. Other risk factors include chronic bladder inflammation and occupational hazards like exposure to certain types of dyes or solvents, and some chemotherapy treatments," he adds. Aging is another risk factor, with 9 out of 10 individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer being over the age of 55, according to the American Cancer Society.
Changes in bathroom habits linked to bladder cancer
Dr. Satkunasivam highlights that bladder cancer symptoms can vary widely depending on its stage. Early-stage bladder cancer symptoms can overlap with those of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or diabetes. It is vital not to underestimate persistent symptoms or attempt to ignore them. It is preferable for a patient to have their condition evaluated and bladder cancer diagnosed early rather than waiting until the disease progresses to a more difficult treatment stage.
Below are five early signs of bladder cancer. While some symptoms could be related to aging or other conditions, the presence of multiple ongoing symptoms necessitates a doctor's consultation. "We hope it's nothing serious, but if it's bladder cancer, the earlier it's detected, the better," Dr. Satkunasivam advises.
- Blood in the Urine: The most common symptom among bladder cancer patients is the presence of blood in urine, visible to the naked eye or under a microscope. It should always prompt a consultation with a urologist, despite the possibility of other causes like infections or kidney stones.
- Frequent Urination: An increase in bathroom visits without a corresponding increase in fluid intake should prompt a doctor's visit. Frequent urination can also indicate other conditions, such as urinary tract infections or diabetes.
- Painful or Burning Urination: Burning or painful urination should not be overlooked as it can be a symptom of urinary tract infections, diabetes, bladder inflammation, or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Changes in Urination Urgency and Flow: Any change in urination flow or an increased urgency to urinate should be assessed by a doctor.
- Nocturnal Urination: Waking up several times at night to urinate can impact both men and women with age, but it may also signal more serious conditions.
Treatment
"The treatment for bladder cancer varies significantly based on the stage at which it is diagnosed," states Dr. Satkunasivam. Early bladder cancer can often be managed with minor surgical procedures, while advanced stages might require more extensive surgery or chemotherapy. For non-invasive bladder cancer, surgery is typically the most common treatment, followed sometimes by treatments where the bladder is filled with medications to treat the cancer cells.
For more invasive bladder cancers, patients may need chemotherapy followed by either a surgical procedure to remove the bladder or radiation therapy. In the past five years, there have been several new drug treatments approved for treating more invasive bladder cancer, such as immunotherapy. Dr. Satkunasivam concludes, "We're involved in various clinical trials aiming to identify the safest and most effective new treatments for all our bladder cancer patients."
What is bladder cancer?
Dr. Raj Satkunasivam, a urologic oncologist at Houston Methodist, explains that bladder cancer encompasses any cancer that appears in the bladder. While there are several specific and different types of bladder cancer, more than 90% of these cancers are classified as urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC). This type involves cancer in the cells lining the bladder and urethra, as well as the ureters and renal pelvis, among other organs.
Who is at risk for bladder cancer?
"With numerous risk factors for bladder cancer," says Dr. Satkunasivam, "smoking cigarettes is the most common. Other risk factors include chronic bladder inflammation and occupational hazards like exposure to certain types of dyes or solvents, and some chemotherapy treatments," he adds. Aging is another risk factor, with 9 out of 10 individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer being over the age of 55, according to the American Cancer Society.
Changes in bathroom habits linked to bladder cancer
Dr. Satkunasivam highlights that bladder cancer symptoms can vary widely depending on its stage. Early-stage bladder cancer symptoms can overlap with those of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or diabetes. It is vital not to underestimate persistent symptoms or attempt to ignore them. It is preferable for a patient to have their condition evaluated and bladder cancer diagnosed early rather than waiting until the disease progresses to a more difficult treatment stage.
Below are five early signs of bladder cancer. While some symptoms could be related to aging or other conditions, the presence of multiple ongoing symptoms necessitates a doctor's consultation. "We hope it's nothing serious, but if it's bladder cancer, the earlier it's detected, the better," Dr. Satkunasivam advises.
- Blood in the Urine: The most common symptom among bladder cancer patients is the presence of blood in urine, visible to the naked eye or under a microscope. It should always prompt a consultation with a urologist, despite the possibility of other causes like infections or kidney stones.
- Frequent Urination: An increase in bathroom visits without a corresponding increase in fluid intake should prompt a doctor's visit. Frequent urination can also indicate other conditions, such as urinary tract infections or diabetes.
- Painful or Burning Urination: Burning or painful urination should not be overlooked as it can be a symptom of urinary tract infections, diabetes, bladder inflammation, or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Changes in Urination Urgency and Flow: Any change in urination flow or an increased urgency to urinate should be assessed by a doctor.
- Nocturnal Urination: Waking up several times at night to urinate can impact both men and women with age, but it may also signal more serious conditions.
Treatment
"The treatment for bladder cancer varies significantly based on the stage at which it is diagnosed," states Dr. Satkunasivam. Early bladder cancer can often be managed with minor surgical procedures, while advanced stages might require more extensive surgery or chemotherapy. For non-invasive bladder cancer, surgery is typically the most common treatment, followed sometimes by treatments where the bladder is filled with medications to treat the cancer cells.
For more invasive bladder cancers, patients may need chemotherapy followed by either a surgical procedure to remove the bladder or radiation therapy. In the past five years, there have been several new drug treatments approved for treating more invasive bladder cancer, such as immunotherapy. Dr. Satkunasivam concludes, "We're involved in various clinical trials aiming to identify the safest and most effective new treatments for all our bladder cancer patients."
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