Can Chronic Utis Cause Bladder Cancer

What Is A Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria invade the bladder or kidneys. The bacteria can often be found naturally in our bowels or on our skin, but they are harmless there. However, when they get into the urinary tract, they can cause an infection.

Women in general get more UTIs. This is mainly because the female urethra is shorter, which allows bacteria easier access into the bladder.

Typically a woman may have one UTI per year on average. But some women get them more often. If it occurs about four times a year, its considered a recurrent UTI. An estimated 2% to 10% of women get chronic UTIs, according to a review in the journal Climacteric.

UTIs tend to be more common in older men than younger men. This is likely because UTIs in men are often caused by not completely emptying the bladder. This is often due to an enlarged prostate, a condition common in older men.

UTIs are treated with antibiotics and go away quickly.

Urinary Tract Infections Vaginal Mesh Vaginal Mesh Helpline

The Vaginal Mesh Helpline receives calls from women on a daily basis regarding their vaginal mesh complications. many have urinary tract infections which is one of the reported side effects of a vaginal Mesh implant. Below is an overview of urinary tract Infections

Most urinary tract infections are not serious and can be easily treated with antibiotic medications. However urinary tract infections from a Vaginal mesh implant can become chronic. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be stubborn with a vaginal mesh and can persist after treatment. Many reported Infections are recurring and come back just a few weeks after treatment. Nearly 20 percent of women who have a urinary tract infection will have another, and 30 percent of those who have had two will have a third. About 80 percent of those who have had three will have a fourth. If left untreated, urinary tract infections can lead to other more complicated health problems so they should not be ignored.

How the Urinary Tract Works

Cause of Urinary Tract Infection: Bacteria, Potentially from Mesh Erosion and Scar tissue

Causes Of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is when cells of the bladder lining grow out of control and start spreading to other parts of the organ and, potentially, other parts of the body. This growth can disrupt the normal functioning of the bladder and other essential organ systems. If untreated, bladder cancer can be deadly.

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Why Do Women Have More Advanced Bladder Cancer

A major reason for women presenting with more advanced tumors is the delay that can occur before receiving a bladder cancer diagnosis. Reasons for this delay may include: Blood in the urine, the most common symptom of bladder cancer, may be discounted by women as being related to menstruation or post-menopausal bleeding.

Vaginal Mesh Has Caused Health Problems In Many Women Even As Some Surgeons Vouch For Its Safety And Efficacy

Following the surgery in 2010, Stepherson, then 48. said she suffered debilitating symptoms for two years. An active woman who rode horses, Stepherson said she had constant pain, trouble walking, fevers off and on, weight loss, nausea and lethargy after the surgery. She spent days sitting on the couch, she said.

In August 2012, Stepherson and her daughter saw an ad relating to vaginal mesh that mentioned 10 symptoms and said that if you had them, to call a lawyer.

My daughter said, Oh mom you have every one of those, Stepherson, of Tyler, Tex., recalled.

Vaginal mesh, used to repair and improve weakened pelvic tissues, is implanted in the vaginal wall. It was initially in 1998 thought to be a safe and easy solution for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence.

But over time, complications were reported, including chronic inflammation, and mesh that shrinks and becomes encased in scar tissue causing pain, infection and protrusion through the vaginal wall.

Chrissy Brajcic, a Canadian who struggled for four years with persistent infections following a mesh implant, became the face of mesh victims with a Facebook page. Brajcic died in December 2017 from sepsis at age 42.

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How Do I Do Kegel Exercises

Kegel exercises are a simple way to build strength in your pelvic floor muscles. These exercises are done by lifting, holding and then relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. You can find these muscles by stopping the flow of urine mid-stream while youre urinating. Only do this until you learn how to find the muscles stopping the flow of urine mid-stream isnt healthy over a long period of time.

When youre doing Kegel exercises, start small. Only hold it for a few second. Over time you can slowly work your way up to longer and longer stretches of holding the muscles tight.

Unlike other types of workouts, no one can tell when youre doing Kegel exercises. Aim to do several sets of Kegel exercises twice a day.

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Whats Usually The First Symptom Of Bladder Cancer

Blood in your pee is the most common bladder cancer symptom. That said, simply having blood in your pee isnt a sure sign of bladder cancer. Other conditions cause this issue, too. But you should contact a healthcare provider whenever you spot blood in your pee. Other bladder cancer symptoms include:

• Visible blood in your pee : Healthcare providers can also spot microscopic amounts of blood in pee when they do a urinalysis.
• Pain when you pee : This is a burning or stinging sensation that you may feel when you start to pee or after you pee. Men and DMAB may have pain in their penises before or after peeing.
• Needing to pee a lot: Frequent urination means youre peeing many times during a 24-hour period.
• Having trouble peeing: The flow of your pee may start and stop or the flow may not be as strong as usual.
• Persistent bladder infections: Bladder infections and bladder cancer symptoms have common symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you have a bladder infection that doesnt go away after treatment with antibiotics.

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What Chemicals Can Cause Bladder Cancer

Exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace: Aromatic amines used in the dye industry and organic chemicals used in the production of rubber, leather, paint and textiles may contribute to a higher bladder cancer rates in workers. Painters, printers, hairdressers, and truck drivers are also at increased risk due to workplace exposures.

Consult With A Specialist

If you would like to discuss your symptoms with a specialist in the Urologic Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, call or complete our new patient registration form online. When you turn to Moffitt, you can feel confident that you are a top priority of a cancer center that delivers nationally-ranked care in new and transformative ways.

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Association Between Uti And Ubc

A positive history of regular low-UTI was associated with an increased risk of UBC in both men 6.6 ) and women ). In contrast, a positive history of UTI-ab was associated with a decreased UBC risk, again in both men ) and women ). Stratification on frequency of UTI-ab revealed that the protective effect was only seen for up to five episodes of infection. An increased UBC risk was observed for men with more than 10 UTI-ab episodes ) but numbers of male patients and controls in this stratum were low .

As the symptoms of bladder cancer may be confused with those of a UTI, we repeated the analyses while omitting those regular low-UTI or UTI-ab that took place within 5 years prior to the date of diagnosis of bladder cancer or the questionnaire . Resulting risks were only slightly changed and for subsequent analyses, we did not take the time lag between UTI and UBC into account.

The Absence Of Recurrent Uti Guidelines

Because there are no guidelines on managing complex or recurrent UTI, primary care doctors are generally not in a position to help.

For females that progress from a single UTI, to recurrent UTI or chronic urinary tract infection, or to a diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis, there has historically been very little hope of effective treatment. We hope to help change this.

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Outcome Measurement Of Cancer Event

Subsequent cancer events were identified according to ICD-9: 140â208 for â¥2 outpatient visits or â¥1 admission. Major cancer sites reported in Taiwan were considered for subevent analysis, including colorectal , liver , lung , and breast , bladder , kidney , male genital organs , female genital organs , and prostate cancers. All individuals were followed up from the index date until diagnosed with any cancer, death, or end of study .

How Bladder Cancer Spreads

Bladder cancer usually begins in the cells of the bladder lining. In some cases, it may spread into surrounding bladder muscle. If the cancer penetrates this muscle, it can spread to other parts of the body, usually through the lymphatic system.

If bladder cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as other organs, it’s known as metastatic bladder cancer.

Page last reviewed: 01 July 2021 Next review due: 01 July 2024

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When To See A Doctor

Its always a good idea to reach out to a doctor if youre experiencing those UTI symptoms, because remember, UTIs can affect the kidneys without prompt treatment. But this is especially important if youre susceptible to recurrent UTIs. As you can see, there are various treatment optionsand potential preventive methodsthat may be able to keep that terrible burning to a minimum.

Additional reporting by Laura Adkins.

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Diagnosis Of Bladder Infection

To diagnose a bladder infection, the medical professional will likely order a set of tests on your urine to look for signs of infection.

Tests would include a urinalysis to test if bacteria are in your bladder or urinary tract and if your immune system is fighting an infection. They may also use a urine culture test to determine what kind of bacteria is causing the infection.

If your bladder infection returns or youre getting many UTIs, a medical professional may want to look for underlying issues in the urinary tract.

These tests include using a camera on the end of a lighted tube to visualize inside the urinary tract, a procedure called a cystoscopy. Or they may order something called urodynamic testing, which shows them how well urine moves through the different parts of your urinary tract.

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The Relationship Between Utis And Bladder Cancer

Many experts and individuals with bladder cancer have wondered if true UTIs are related to bladder cancer risk. Inflammation related to infection, most commonly due to the rare parasitic infection schistosomiasis or long-term use of a urinary catheter, has been thought to increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. However, this type of bladder cancer makes up only a small portion of all bladder cancer cases.7

The most commonly diagnosed form of bladder cancer in the United States is urothelial carcinoma, with 90 percent of individuals with the condition being diagnosed with this type. As such, determining the relationship between UTIs and urothelial carcinoma is of interest to many in the urological field.7

Is Bladder Cancer The Same As Bladder Infection

Bladder infections and bladder cancer have a lot in common. Bladder infections are the most common type of urinary tract infection , whereas bladder cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Estimates suggest more than 80,000 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed this year. A bladder infection is usually more annoying than serious unless it goes untreated and causes complications. Bladder cancer, on the other hand, can be very serious and may even require surgery.

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How Is Bladder Sling Surgery Performed

Non-invasive treatments including Kegel exercises, medications, and electrical stimulation may help if you have a mild case of stress incontinence. But your doctor may recommend sling surgery if you have already tried those and your condition still hasnt gotten better.

During a bladder sling procedure, your surgeon will take a strip of synthetic mesh, your own tissue, or sometimes tissue from a donor. Then, theyll create a sling or hammock from those materials. This sling is then placed under your urethra or bladder neck to offer support and keep the urethra closed.

Your surgeon may perform bladder sling surgery using one of the three approaches:

Retropubic method This approach is also known as the tension-free vaginal tape or TVT method. This procedure requires three small incisions to insert the sling and secure its position under your urethra and up behind your pubic bone. The surgeon will then use skin glue or stitches to close the cuts.

Transobturator method In this approach, your surgeon will make a similar vaginal incision as in the retropubic or TVT method. Also, they will create a small opening on each side of your labia, which are the folds of skin around your vaginal opening. The key difference between the transobturator and retropubic approach is the pathway in which the sling passes in, but the mesh still sits under your urethra.

Uti In Men: Its Not You And Its Not Me Its Just Complicated

Statistically, every 4th woman will experience a UTI in her lifetime. In yet another shocking turn of events, men have it easy in the UTI arena as well! UTIs in men are rarer. Mens urethra is on average eight inches long so ladies, when your next date says that: its 8 inches long technically hes not lying. According to Dr. Turek, size does indeed mattermales urethra is eight inches longer than their female counterparts and therefore serves as a great first line of defense from harmful bacteria.

Furthermore, for men, unlike women, it takes much more than exposure to E. coli during intercourse to develop a UTI. Basically, a lot of things need to go wrong in order for bacteria to ascend to the bladder.

Every case of UTI in men is considered complicated. This means UTI in men need to be thoroughly evaluated, and not just treated with an antibiotic. While its not always clear why some women get a UTI, in men you could normally find the reason during an evaluation, says Dr. Turek. Dr. Turek urges men to avoid home remedies and seek a physicians help if one believes hes experiencing symptoms of a UTI.

Physicians would normally collect a urine sample and check lower and upper urinary tract in search for any of the following:

• Stones or tumors that obstruct normal urine flow
• Malformations or birth defects

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Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections In Women: Diagnosis And Management

CHARLES M. KODNER, MD, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky

EMILY K. THOMAS GUPTON, DO, MPH, Primary Care Medical Center, Murray, Kentucky

Am Fam Physician. 2010 Sep 15 82:638-643.

Recurrent urinary tract infections are common in women and associated with considerable morbidity and health care use. The clinical features, diagnostic testing, and causative organisms are often similar to those of single cases of UTI, although there are additional treatment strategies and prevention measures to consider with recurrent UTIs.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

A urine culture with greater than 102 colony-forming units per mL is considered positive in patients who have symptoms of UTI.

UTI = urinary tract infection.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

UTI = urinary tract infection.

Characteristics Of Ubc Patients And Controls

This study included 1809 UBC patients and 4370 controls . Average age of male patients and controls was 63 and 62 years, respectively. Average age for female patients and controls was 61 and 57 years. Patients were less educated, were more likely to smoke, and more likely to have regularly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as compared with controls. Among the patients, 83% of male and 75% of female cases were categorised as non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients . Almost all patients were diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma .

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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

Bladder cancer is relatively rare, so you may not know as much as youd like about the condition. Here are some questions that may be helpful:

• What stage of bladder cancer do I have?
• What are possible treatments?
• What are treatment side effects?
• Will I need surgery?
• How will surgery affect my daily life?
• How often does bladder cancer come back?
• How do you treat recurrent bladder cancer?
• Are there any cutting-edge clinical trials available?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

If you have bladder cancer, it may help to know about half of all people with the condition receive treatment when their tumors are limited to the inner layer of their bladder wall. For them, surgery to remove tumors means theyre cancer-free. But bladder cancer often comes back . If youre worried about recurring cancer, talk to your healthcare provider. Theyre your best resource for information on risk factors that increase the chance youll have another bout of bladder cancer. Theyll help you stay vigilant about symptoms that may be signs of recurring bladder cancer and be there for you if you need more bladder cancer treatment.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/26/2022.

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