Bladder Cancer in Nevada

Bladder cancer occurs when cancer cells develop in the bladder lining and grow into the bladder wall. In the United States, more than 80,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer this year. When found early, the chance of survival is greater. Since the 1980s, the survival rate has increased due to improved awareness and better treatments options.

Knowing the signs and symptoms is crucial to catching the disease early, when the chance for survival is greater. If you experience blood in the urine, frequent urination or feeling the need to urinate but cannot, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately, as these symptoms can indicate bladder cancer, and can help secure a referral to see a physician with Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

Risk Factors

  • Smoking – is the greatest risk factor for bladder cancer. Chemicals from tobacco can enter the blood stream, through the lungs, and are filtered by the liver and collect in the bladder. These chemicals damage the cells that line the inside bladder wall.
  • Work exposure – some professions are more susceptible to harmful chemicals. These occupations include: dye makers, hairdressers, truck drivers, machinists, printers, painters, leather workers and rubber manufacturers.
  • Race – Caucasians are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as African Americans or Hispanics.
  • Gender – men develop bladder cancer four times as often as women.
  • Age – the risk of developing bladder cancer increases with age.
  • Family history – the chance of developing bladder cancer rises when immediate family members have or had the disease.
  • Chronic bladder inflammation – urinary infections, kidney stones and bladder stones do not cause cancer, but they are linked to the disease.
  • Arsenic – this chemical in drinking water is linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.
  • Bladder birth defects – very rarely a connection between the belly button and the bladder doesn’t disappear as it should before birth and can become cancerous. There is another, very rare, birth defect called exstrophy which can lead to bladder cancer.
  • Inadequate liquid intake – people who drink plenty of liquids each day have a lower risk of developing bladder cancer.
  • Earlier Treatment – Some drugs or radiation used to treat other cancers can increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should consult their healthcare provider immediately.

  • Blood in the urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Feeling the need to urinate, but not being able to

Screening and Staging

Screening tests are performed to determine the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells. There are various ways to screen for bladder cancer. Each method may be used alone, or in combination.

  • Cystoscopy – allows a physician to view the inside of the bladder through a small tube with a lens and a light. The physician may perform a biopsy at this time.
  • Urine cytology – involves testing the urine or cells “washed” from the bladder.
  • Urine culture – involves testing the urine
  • Imaging tests – allows the doctors to better see your bladder and provide more information.

When cancer is found, a physician will need to determine the progression of the cancer. This classification, called staging, allows the healthcare provider to properly identify a treatment plan and to determine the prognosis. All cancers are staged on a scale of 1-4, where the higher stage represents more advanced cancer.

Treatment

There are many treatment options for bladder cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Each method may be used alone, or in combination.

  • Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs are administered orally by pills or injected directly into the bloodstream. They travel throughout the body to reach cancer cells that may have spread beyond the point of origin.
  • Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in the treatment area. It is mostly administered externally from a machine outside the body, similar to an x-ray, but for a longer period of time.
  • Surgery treats the cancer by removing the cancerous tissue. The type of surgery required depends on the stage of the cancer.
  • Tansurethral Surgery – involves removing cancer tissue through a small tube. No major abdominal incision.
  • Partial Cystectomy – involves the removal of sections of the bladder.
  • Radical Cystectomy – involves the removal of the entire bladder and the surrounding lymph nodes. Reconstructive surgery will be necessary after this procedure.

Clinical Research

At Comprehensive Cancer Centers, research and the participation in clinical research trials is a vital part of our mission. Our physicians are dedicated to finding new ways to treat this disease. We are able to offer our patients access to groundbreaking clinical research close to home. Many of the advancements being made in cancer treatment are the result of in-depth clinical research.

For more information about our research efforts, click here.

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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.