The bladder is a vital organ of the human body. After all, his main functional duty is to accumulate urine in himself and then remove it. In this organ, a disease can develop - bladder cancer. Symptoms of it are often associated with urination problems, it can be of two types:
- superficial, when a malignant tumor forms on the walls of an organ (bladder),
- option, when the tumor, including, extends to the tissues surrounding the organ.
According to statistics, it is bladder cancer that is the disease that occurs in 90% of cancer patients with urinary tract tumors .
Causes
Causes of bladder cancer are very different. Among them is the interaction with harmful substances. This applies to workers who work in the production of paints and varnishes, rubber or in the gas industry. A malignant tumor can also arise from excessive smoking or drinking alcohol.
An important role in this process is played by diseases. Among them, not only those that are genetically determined, but also all kinds of chronic ones: a bladder ulcer, cystitis. The cause of the appearance of a tumor may be the long-term use of potent drugs or the treatment of other diseases by irradiation of the pelvic organs.
Symptoms
The patient can not immediately find out that bladder cancer is developing. Symptoms do not appear in the early stages of the disease, but somewhat later. However, they depend on where the malignancy is located and what its nature is.
The very first sign of a fatal disease is the so-called hematuria (an admixture of blood directly in the urine). This is the most common symptom. It can be repeated and lasts from a couple of hours to several days. Moreover, blood appears suddenly and also disappears without any treatment. This does not produce any unpleasant sensations or pains when urinating , but it happens that even clots come out.
The symptoms that are associated with the rhythm and nature of urination will also help identify bladder cancer. Firstly, urination is often present, as well as urinary retention. Secondly, it becomes purulent, very muddy and a sharp unpleasant smell is felt. Finally, during urination, the patient feels constant pain and pain.
With bladder cancer, pain can occur in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, sacrum, and even genitals. They are permanent and have nothing to do with urination. The sudden development of diseases such as pyelonephritis and renal failure should also be cautious.
Treatment
As soon as the diagnosis of bladder cancer has been confirmed, the symptoms are all identified, the doctors begin the necessary treatment. At different stages of the disease, it can be different. Usually used chemical, radiation therapy or surgery.
Bladder cancer, the treatment of which involves the removal of the organ itself, is indicated only if the tumor has already grown rapidly and threatens to spread to other internal organs. True, today even for seriously ill patients there is the possibility of maintaining the bladder. For this, a surgical operation is performed, the result of which is fixed by chemotherapy.
Chemical therapy is also indicated for the disease at an early stage of development. Often, patients are completely cured of this ailment. However, the prognosis for patients with bladder cancer can be different, and it depends on a number of reasons:
- cancer development stage,
- patient’s health
- the development of metastasis,
- type of treatment
- results of activities.
Prevention
Today, scientists and doctors have precisely established a direct link between the occurrence of this cancer and the effects on the human body of various kinds of chemicals. That is why workers who work in hazardous industries should as soon as possible have direct contact with chemicals. Moreover, it is very important for them to constantly consult a doctor at the slightest sign of malaise. Of course, you must additionally undergo mandatory examinations.
People who are able to get bladder cancer due to a genetic predisposition, it is advisable to completely stop drinking alcohol and, of course, smoking. Because it is these factors that can significantly increase the chance of a tumor.