Bladder cancer: symptoms, causes and how to treat it

Definition

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that initially appears in the bladder. The bladder itself is a hollow organ located in the lower pelvis, has a flexible muscular wall so it can stretch.

The main function of this organ is to store urine, which is liquid waste that results from filtering the kidneys. When you urinate, the muscles in the bladder contract, and the urine stored in it is pushed out through the urethra.

Cancer of the bladder can be divided into several types, namely:

• Urothelial carcinoma (transitional cell carcinoma). The most common type of cancer and attacks the urothelial cells that line the entire lining of the urinary tract.
• Squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer, when the cells look like flat cells on the surface of the skin.
• Adenocarcinoma. This type of cancer cell has many similarities with the gland-forming cells in colon cancer.
• Small cell carcinoma. This type of cancer occurs in nerve-like cells called neuroendocrine cells and can grow rapidly.
• Sarcoma. This type of cancer first occurs in muscle cells and is very rare.

How common is this cancer?

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that is quite common in Indonesians. There were 6,716 new cases recorded in 2018, with the death toll reaching 3,375 people, reported from Globocan.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer?

This type of cancer can cause symptoms early in the disease progression. Then, other symptoms will appear indicating that the cancer from inside the bladder has begun to spread to other areas.

Some of the symptoms that are commonly felt are:

Bloody urine

This characteristic of bladder cancer is also known as hematuria, which is an early symptom. The presence of blood can change the color of urine to orange, pink, or even dark red.

Blood color can return to normal, but can change back. Bleeding in the urine can be accompanied or without pain.

The habit of defecating has changed

Besides there is blood in the urine, urination habits will also change. Generally, the complaints you feel are:

• Urinating more often than usual, especially at night
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Often experience the urge to urinate, but the urine is difficult to pass

In addition to the above symptoms, some people also experience other signs of bladder cancer, such as:

• Can't urinate at all
• Pain on one side of the back
• Decreased appetite and decreased weight dramatically
• The body feels weak
• Swollen feet and bones ache

When to see a doctor?

If you experience symptoms of cancer, see a doctor immediately. Especially if you experience it for more than 2 weeks, it gets worse, and is accompanied by other symptoms not mentioned above.

Cause

What causes bladder cancer?

The cause of this cancer is not known with certainty. However, most scientists believe that this disease has something to do with gene mutations.

Gene mutations throw a series of commands for the cell into chaos. This allows cells to divide uncontrollably, grow faster, and not die. As a result, cells will accumulate to form abnormal tissue called a malignant tumor.

Scientists discovered the type of gene mutation that can be inherited by parents, thus making the risk of this cancer even higher, that is TP53 and RB1.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of bladder cancer?

Although the cause of this cancer is not known with certainty, several factors that increase the risk are known, namely:

• Have a smoking habit.
• Work in the chemical industry.
• Use of certain herbal medicines containing aristolochic acid.
• Drinking water that is contaminated with arsenic or drinking less water.
• Are over 55 years of age.
• You have a bladder problem, have an imperfect bladder from birth, or have a congenital syndrome, such as Lynch syndrome.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What tests can be done to diagnose bladder cancer?

In order to make a diagnosis of this cancer, the doctor will ask you to perform the following series of medical tests:

• Cystoscopy, which uses a cystoscope to examine the inside of your bladder.
• Biopsy, which is cutting some of the abnormal tissue that is suspected of being cancer to be observed in the laboratory in more detail.
• Urine cytology, which is observing cancer with a urine sample.
• Imaging tests, which are taking a more detailed view of your bladder with a CT scan or retrograde pyelonogram.

What are the treatment options for bladder cancer?

Treatment of this type of cancer for stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be done in the following ways:

• Surgery to remove cancer cells

Types of surgery performed are transurethral resection of bladder tumor / TURBT (cutting or burning abnormal cells), cystectomy (removing all or part of the bladder), and neobladder reconstruction (creation of a new urine pathway).

• Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy to kill cancer cells or reduce tumor size with the help of radiation rays.

• Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is also done to kill cancer cells as well as shrink tumors. Cancer treatment for this type with chemotherapy can use drugs, such as cisplatin, fluorouracil (5-FU), mitomycin, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat bladder cancer?

Home remedies for cancer sufferers are adopting a healthy and appropriate lifestyle. For example, start following a cancer diet, drink lots of water, and exercise regularly as recommended by your doctor.

Until now, there is no traditional medicine or herbal medicine that is effective for treating bladder cancer. So, consult your doctor first if you want to undergo alternative medicine.

Prevention

How do you prevent bladder cancer?

This cancer is a type that can be prevented, although not 100 percent. How to prevent bladder cancer you can do is:

• Quit smoking. Most cases of this type of cancer are related to smoking. Therefore this habit must be stopped.
• Limit your exposure to certain chemicals. Avoid exposures typically used in the rubber, leather, printing, textile and car industries and diesel fumes.
• Just drink water. Drinking lots of water can keep the bladder healthy. At least drink 8 glasses of water per day.
• Take care of your diet. Increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts for your daily diet, even for snacks.