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Bladder Infection Vs Bladder Cancer

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What Will Happen After Treatment

Dr. Richards on Urinary Tract Infections Associated With Worse Bladder Cancer Outcomes

You’ll be glad when treatment is over. But its hard not to worry about cancer coming back. Even when cancer never comes back, people still worry about this. For years after treatment ends, you will see your cancer doctor. Be sure to go to all of your follow-up visits. People who have had bladder cancer are at high risk of having a second bladder cancer.

If you have no signs of cancer, most experts advise seeing with your doctor every 3 to 6 months. These visits might include urine tests, blood work, and other tests. If you still have your bladder, you will need regular exams of your bladder, too. The time between doctor visits may be longer after a few years if no new cancers are seen.

Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be hard, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. You might be thinking about how to improve your health. Call us or talk to your doctor to find out what you can do to feel better.

You cant change the fact that you have cancer. What you can change is how you live the rest of your life making healthy choices and feeling as well as you can.

Key Difference Uti Vs Bladder Infection

Urinary tract infections are commonly seen in women, children and elderly men. The occurrence of UTI in men is fairly uncommon and a male getting recurrent UTIs is more likely to have an abnormal urinary tract. These infections in the urinary tract can give rise to acute complications like gram negative septicemia and acute renal failure. Clinically UTIs can be divided into two categories as upper UTI and lower UTI. Bladder infections are a type of lower urinary tract infections. Thus, the key difference between UTI and bladder infection is that UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary tract while bladder infection is an infection in the lower urinary tract. It is also important to note that bladder infection is a subset of UTI.

What Causes A Uti

The most common cause of UTIs is bacteria. While more than one type of bacteria can cause a UTI, Escherichia coli is often the culprit. When bacteria get inside of the urinary tract, your body takes steps to protect you from the threat and fight it off. This results in inflammation that you may perceive as pain or pressure.

Inflammation also leads to swelling, making it difficult for urine to move through the urinary tract. Thats why you may feel like you need to urinate often or like you cant completely empty urine when you go to the bathroom.

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Who Is Most Susceptible To A Bladder Infection

UTIs are more common in women than men. This is partly due to their anatomy in women, the urethra is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder and cause an infection.

Other risk factors for bladder infection include:

  • Any medical condition or injury that prevents you from emptying your bladder completely

  • Any medical condition that weakens your immune system

  • Being a woman in or after menopause

  • Having a UTI in the past

  • Needing to have a bladder catheter

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent UTIs. These include the following:

  • Drink plenty of water.

  • Empty your bladder immediately after sex.

  • Dont hold it when you feel the need to go.

  • Think about switching to a different method of birth control if you currently use one with spermicide.

  • Consider vaginal estrogen if youve gone through menopause.

Some people may benefit from cranberry supplements or antibiotics, especially if recurrent UTIs are a problem. You can learn more here about preventing UTIs.

Whats The Difference Between A Bladder Infection And Uti

Repeated UTIs &  Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

As the name suggest, a urinary tract infection affects your urinary tract, which is made up of two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra, according to the US National Library of Medicine . A UTI happens when bacteria get into the urethra and begin multiplying. Most commonly, its a strain of bacteria called Escherichia coli , which normally lives in the intestines and anus .

Once the bacteria makes its way into your urethra, anywhere in your urinary tracts becomes fair game for an infection. If the bacteria infect your urethra, for example, its called urethritis if it makes its way to your ureters or kidneys, its called pyelonephiritis.

The most common type of a UTI, however, is a bladder infection , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . In fact, a bladder infection is what most people think of when they hear about a UTIthats the easiest way to interpret a bladder infection,Michael Herman, MD, urologist and director of urologic oncology at Mount Sinai South Nassau, tells Health.

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How Are Utis And Bladder Cancer Different

Though UTIs likely won’t cause bladder cancer, they do produce similar symptoms, which makes it difficult to tell them apart. Both bladder cancer and urinary tract infections cause symptoms like blood in the urine, a frequent need to urinate, difficulty urinating or painful urination. Unlike cancer, however, bladder infections can also cause foul smelling urine, fever and confusion.

Because bladder cancer and UTIs appear similar, you should seek medical help if you have any concerning symptoms. If UTI symptoms persist after a course of antibiotics, return to your doctor and ask for a bladder cancer test.

Getting tested is the best way to differentiate between a common infection and a more serious illness. Cxbladder is a non-invasive, urine-based test that can rule out bladder cancer and give you peace of mind.

If you’re worried about bladder cancer, talk to your doctor and contact a Cxbladder representative for more information.

Bladder Infections Vs Other Utis

It is possible to have a more serious type of urinary tract infection that affects your upper urinary tract, a.ka. your kidneys. This typically happens as a result of an untreated UTI in your bladder.

A kidney infection causes symptoms like fever, nausea or vomiting, and one-sided back pain. It is serious and requires immediate medical intervention to avoid complications like scarring of the kidney.

Read Also: Does Bladder Infection Cause Fever

Recommended Reading: How To Ease Bladder Discomfort

What Is Meant By Staging And Grading A Tumor

If bladder cancer is diagnosed, the doctor needs to know the stage, or extent, of the disease to plan the best treatment. Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has invaded the bladder wall, whether the disease has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body. Grade refers to what the cancer cells look like, and how many cells are multiplying. The higher the grade, the more uneven the cells are and the more cells are multiplying. Knowing the grade can help your doctor predict how fast the cancer will grow and spread.

Urologists typically send a sample of the cancer tissue to a pathologist, a doctor who specializes in examining tissue to determine the stage and grade of the cancer. The pathologist writes a report with a diagnosis, and then sends it to your urologist.

Whats In The Future For A Child With Neurogenic Bladder

Bladder Cancer Outcomes in Men vs. Women

Treatment plans are individualized for your child usually starting with the most conservative measures and advancing as necessary to achieve the desired results. Many successful options are available to preserve kidney function and gain urinary continence. Kidney function is often monitored to prevent infection and kidney stones. Doctors often recommend drinking plenty of fluids and prescribe antibiotics preventatively to reduce urinary tract infections. Complete recovery from Neurogenic Bladder is uncommon however, many children recover considerably with treatment.

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What Is The Difference Between Bladder And Urethral Cancer

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What To Do About Changes When You Urinate

Narrator:What to do about changes when you urinate caused by radiation therapy.

Having problems when you urinate? Listen to solutions from other people undergoing radiation therapy. Also, hear advice from Dr. Ross. Then talk with your own doctor or nurse to learn more.

Miguel:Tip number 1: Drink lots of liquids each day.It’s good for your urine to be clear or a pale yellow color. My doctor says that tells you you’re getting enough liquids. Most people find drinking about 8 cups of liquid a day does the trick. Of course, check to make sure that’s the best amount for you, too.

Cara:Tip number 2: Water is wonderful, but you may want more zip in your sip.I like water, but found it was hard to get enough water each day. I was glad to learn that Jell-O and soups also count as liquids. To add some zip to what I drink, I have water with a little lemon and watered-down juices.

Rodney:Tip number 3: Lose the booze.My doctor told me that wine, liquor, or even beer could really bother my bladder. So now I limit these liquids. Some people may need to stay away from wine, liquor, and beer altogether to avoid irritating their bladder.

My doctor also told me to stay away from caffeine in coffee, colas, or teas. They could make my bladder problems worse. I now choose flavored decaf coffees and tasty herbal teas.

Dr. Ross:Hi, I’m Dr. Ross and you just heard 3 great tips to keep bladder problems under control.

Related Resources
  • January 23, 2020

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Stages Of Cystitis And Urinary Tract Infections

Stages of cystitis

While cystitis is more serious than bacteria in the urethra, it is still easy to treat when its caught early. If cystitis isnt treated, the bacteria can spread to your kidneys. Kidney infections are rare but serious.

Stages of urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections begin on the outside of the body at the urethra. Some bacteria stop there and do not travel further into the urinary tract. If bacteria do make it into the bladder, they can cause cystitis.

Key Points About A Uti In Children

Cystitis vs UTI  KNOW &  TREAT UTI
  • A urinary tract infection is inflammation of part of the system that takes urine out of the body.
  • Most infections are caused by bacteria from the digestive tract. The most common is Escherichia coli bacteria. These normally live in the colon.
  • A UTI is not common in children younger than age 5. A UTI is much more common in girls because they have a shorter urethra.
  • A UTI is unlikely in boys of any age, unless part of the urinary tract is blocked. Uncircumcised boys are more at risk for a UTI than circumcised boys.
  • Symptoms vary by age, and can include fever, need to urinate often, pain, and crying.

Recommended Reading: Will Cranberry Juice Help A Bladder Infection

Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

Common symptoms of bladder cancer, on the other hand, are slightly more complex.

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is a change in the color of your urine. Your urine may become orange, pink, rusty brown, dark red, or bright red in color, which would indicate theres blood in your urine.

Blood in the urine is also a common symptom of a bladder infection, so it is one that is often misdiagnosed in women presenting with bladder cancer.

Other symptoms common in cases of bladder cancer include:

  • The need to urinate more frequently, even when your bladder isnt full
  • Painincluding burning, or general discomfortwhen you urinate
  • Pain in the lower back, mid-back, or side
  • Urinating when youre not meaning to
  • Trouble getting the urine stream started
  • Feeling like something is blocking the flow of urine

Are Utis Related To Bladder Cancer

Fact or Fiction: There are no warning signs of bladder cancer other than a UTI.

A urinary tract infection can definitely be a symptom. Of course, not everyone who has a UTI will be diagnosed with bladder cancer, but this is why its so important to seek treatment if you have a UTI because it can be a sign of something more.

For men, bladder cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer.However, it is less common in women. Nearly 90 percent of the people diagnosed with bladder cancer are over the age of 55. This type of cancer can spread to the kidneys, lungs, bones and brain if left untreated.

The bladder is a balloon-shaped organ that stores urine the kidneys have produced.Most bladder cancers originate in the bladder lining, and one of the most common symptoms is blood in the urine.It can appear as spotting on your toilet tissue or as bright red clots in the urine.

UTIs that keep reoccurring, as mentioned previously, could be a symptom of bladder cancer.Women are more prone than men to have UTIs. However, anyone making multiple trips to the doctor for treatment should recognize it as a potential sign of bladder cancer.

Painful urination or blood in the urine are common symptoms because the cancer tumors irritate the nerves in the bladder lining.It is not normal to experience discomfort when voiding or to have pain in the pelvic area that gets worse with time.

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Persistent Uti Symptoms May Signal Bladder Cancer

May 21, 2015 — Urinary tract infection symptoms that donât improve with time or treatment could point to bladder cancer, a new study suggests.

That finding applies to both men and women, said lead researcher Kyle Richards, MD, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, during a press conference at the American Urological Association 2015 Annual Meeting.

Awareness is especially important when it comes to women, he said, because bladder cancer is more commonly associated with men.

“A lot of primary care doctors who are seeing these patients are less aware that bladder cancer is even a possibility in women,” he said.

And he said that because the most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, also called âhematuria,â UTI-like symptoms donât always raise suspicion.

In their first-of-its-kind study, Richards and his colleagues looked at data on 9,326 men and 2,869 women who were diagnosed with blood in the urine or a UTI in the year before they were diagnosed with bladder cancer. The researchers found that bladder cancer diagnoses take longer and health outcomes are worse in men and women who have UTIs than in men with blood in the urine.

The average time from initial symptoms to bladder cancer diagnosis was longer in women than in men. A closer look at the data suggested that UTIs were the reason for this.

Also, both men and women who had a UTI were more likely to have more-advanced cancer at diagnosis than men who had blood in the urine.

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Uti And Other Symptoms

Bladder Cancer Symptoms, Risk Factors and Prevention

Urinary incontinence is a common sign of a UTI. Other symptoms typically occur along with the frequent urge to urinate. Someone with a UTI may also experience a burning sensation during urination or notice blood in their urine. Urine may also have a strong odor or a dark color.

Men with UTIs may experience rectal pain, while women with UTIs may have back or pelvic pain.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by a doctor. If youre diagnosed with a UTI, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics.

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Wet Overactive Bladder Vs Dry Overactive Bladder: Whats The Difference

Dry type is when you have urgency where you really have to go to the bathroom and its difficult to wait, but you dont leak, and then theres wet type, where you also have the really strong urge but you cant make it to the bathroom in time and do have urine leakage, says Wu.

If you have both of those kinds, its called mixed, she adds.

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What Is Bladder Infection

Bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection that affects the bladder of the concerned person. People are more prone to have this type of infection, especially females. Burning of urine, leaking urine, stomach pain infections are common symptoms. Elderly women should get themselves checked regularly.

A bladder infection that is not so serious may disappear on its own. However, if the symptoms still persist, it is advisable to visit a doctor as early as possible. A number of people try to use home remedies. Even though they prove to be beneficial for some, they may not work for everyone.

The medical term that is used for bladder infections is Cystitis. People who are affected by this suffer from inflammation of the bladder. Moreover, if the infection spreads to the kidneys, the problem will worsen. When doctors identify a bladder infection, they usually suggest antibiotics for the patient.

Apart from bacterial infection, such inflammation may be caused because of reactions to certain drugs, using feminine hygiene spray, or even radiation therapy. Sometimes, cystitis may occur in a patient as a symptom of some other illness. Treatment for this type of disease may also depend on the reason due to which It occurred in the first place.

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Uti Vs Bladder Infection: Whats The Difference

Bladder infection and urinary tract infection are terms that frequently get tossed around, and many people can confuse the two. While bladder infections are a form of UTI, not all UTIs are bladder infections. To further add to the confusion, bladder infections are the most common type of UTI, so its understandable that the conditions often get mixed up. To better differentiate between them, its helpful to dive deeper into each condition.

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