Cancer of the bladder emerges when cells in the urinary bladder begin growing out of control. When more cancer cells develop, they form a mass called a tumour. In time, the cancer can spread to other body parts.
Bladder cancer signs and symptoms may include:
Please note, however, that one or some of the above symptoms do not necessarily indicate bladder cancer because these could be due to other medical conditions. Often, this cancer is diagnosed when a person informs the cancer surgeon doctor about blood in the urine (haematuria). Gross haematuria is a condition wherein blood is visible in the patient’s urine. If small amounts of blood in the urine cannot be seen,this is microscopic haematuria, which is only detected through a urine test.
Generally, urine tests may not be used in diagnosing bladder cancer because haematuria can occur due to other conditions such as kidney stones or an infection. But a special urine test called cytology can be used in finding cancer since the urine is analysed under a microscope for detecting cancerous cells.
Occasionally, when the first symptoms appear, bladder cancer may have already spread to other parts of the body. In such situations, symptoms can vary as per the location. For instance, cancer that has spread to the lungs can cause cough or shortness in breath. In the liver, it may trigger abdominal pain or jaundice. In the bone, it may cause bone pain or a fracture. Advanced bladder cancer can also manifest as pain in the pelvis or back and inexplicable appetite or weight loss.
In case you are experiencing some of the above signs or symptoms, please consult your doctor. A series of questions and some tests (urinalysis, urine cytology and urine tests for tumour markers) can help the doctor diagnose the cause of the problem. If bladder cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms become a crucial component of cancer care and treatment.
Bladder cancer is treatable via cancer surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Do remember that early detection offers the best option for a successful treatment outcome.
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