Bladder cancer

 

Bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor situated in the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder in practically all cases. This is where cells form, which are adapted so that they divide faster than healthy and normal cells. There is a great danger that the changed cells can be wash away out and form daughter tumors in other parts of the body. 

In addition to painful urination, the most important symptoms for recognizing bladder cancer include blood in the urine. Affected people should consult a doctor in any case if they notice such changes in themselves. Incidentally, men are significantly more often affected by bladder cancer than women. The proportion of bladder cancer in all cancers is around 1.8 percent, while it is about 4.5 percent in men.

The symptoms of bladder cancer

It is characteristic of bladder cancer than those affected initially suffer from no or only general symptoms. The primary signs of this include urine that is brown or reddish, which is a symbol that there is blood in it. However, those affected are pain-free. Other signs include an increased need to urinate without actually urinating. A feeling of pressure on the bladder, which is similar to that of cystitis, can indicate bladder cancer.

 

The pain usually only occurs when the bladder cancer has reached an advanced stage or when the tumor obstructs the ureters or urethra. In this case, the kidneys may also become inflamed, which is also associated with pain.

What causes bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is caused by degenerate cells in the urinary bladder whose genetic make-up has changed. These degenerate cells begin to divide in an uncontrolled manner without dying. A possible consequence can be a tumor.

 

Bladder cancer can so arise from external effects that cause a change in the cells. About bladder cancer, the drug knows various risk factors, but this form of cancer can also grow without clearly recognizable causes. These are the risk factors :

 

Smoke is considered to be the most significant risk factor. The longer a person smokes, the greater the risk of developing bladder cancer. Incidentally, this risk also exists for passive smokers.

Various chemicals used in the aniline and rubber industries may also cause bladder cancer. If contact with the relevant substances can be proven, bladder cancer is an occupational disease.

If cystitis is left untreated for years, it increases the risk of developing bladder cancer considerably. The reason: Chronic bladder infections can lead to bladder stones or conditions in the urinary tract.

Various drugs that contain the active ingredient cyclophosphamide, for example, can also promote the development of bladder cancer.

Also, genetic factors are likely for the growth of bladder cancer play a part since it occurs more frequently in some families. The risk of developing the disease for children increases if one parent has bladder cancer.

How common is bladder cancer?

In 2013, almost 30,000 people in Germany were diagnosed with bladder cancer, with men being affected three times as often as women. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common tumor in men after prostate, lung, and colon cancer.

 

Typically, bladder cancer only occurs at an advanced age. In men, the disease is recognized on average at the oldness of 72, and in women two years later.

 

The diagnosis of bladder cancer

If bladder cancer is so-called, the medic will do a thorough examination. He examines the kidneys, the lower abdomen, and the genital organs using a tactile exam. This is drawn by an ultrasound examination of the lower abdominal region, the bladder, and the kidneys. The doctor can use a test strip to determine any hidden blood in the patient's urine.

 

If necessary, the doctor will also order a cystoscopy, which is usually not associated with pain. During the cystoscopy, the specialist can take a quick look at the mucous membranes of the urinary bladder with the help of visual tools. If necessary, tissue samples are occupied during the cystoscopy, which is then examined by a specialist.

 

Another diagnostic aid is the microscopic examination of the urine, which determines whether there are malignant cells in the urine. If the suspicion of bladder cancer is confirmed, an X-ray examination is agreed out, possibly also a computer or magnetic resonance tomography.

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