Does Bladder Cancer Cause Incontinence

When To Make An Appointment With Your Urologist

Urinary incontinence – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

Bladder cancer may be overlooked in women because its easy to chalk up symptoms to a stubborn UTI or normal vaginal spotting. Unfortunately, this means women are often diagnosed after the cancer has spread and become harder to treat. So if youre worried, dont just write off your symptoms. Call your doctor to determine if its a minor infection or something more serious. If it is bladder cancer, its easier to treat if you catch it early.

If you would like to talk to a urologist, you can see if we have a location near you or you can contact us to ask a question or make an appointment.

Why Does It Happen

At the point where the bladder and urethra join, there is a ring of muscles known as the bladder neck sphincter, which opens and closes like a camera shutter. The bladder neck sphincter is closed most of the time to prevent urine leaking out, but when it gets a signal from the brain, it opens to allow urine to be passed.
If the bladder neck sphincter is damaged during prostate cancer surgery, this can lead to urinary incontinence.
Another sphincter is part of another set of muscles below the prostate called the pelvic floor. These muscles are also involved in bladder control.

Most men regain their bladder control over time and are fully recovered within 6 to 12 months. It is important to get professional advice to help cope bladder weakness during this time.

Conventional Treatment Of Canine Bladder Cancer

The conventional treatment of choice is chemotherapy.

A common chemotherapy plan is a combination of piroxicam with mitoxantrone. This combination can help in around 40% of dogs and the median survival time is about one year.

Another less aggressive chemotherapy plan is the use of only one drug . About 2 dogs in 10 will see improvement and the median survival time is about six months.

Surgery is usually difficult for bladder cancer in dogs because of two main reasons.

First, transitional cell carcinomas are locally aggressive and it is difficult to completely remove all cancer cells with surgery.

Second, the position of the tumor can make surgery difficult or even impossible, especially if the tumor occurs in the neck of the bladder where several vital structures are located.

Radiation may control the growth of the tumor but it has its limitation due to serious complications that can be caused by the treatment, such as a scarred, shrunken bladder, and irritation to surrounding organs.

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How Long Does Urinary Incontinence Last After A Prostatectomy

Its impossible to predict exactly how long incontinence may last because each man is different. Incontinence can be affected by your:

Level of bladder control before surgery

Symptoms may last a few months to a year, and sometimes longer. Youll typically go back to your normal state within 12 months, according to the AUA.

Prostate cancer treatment: The care you need is one call away

Your multidisciplinary team will work with you to develop a personalized plan to treat your prostate cancer in a way that fits your individual needs and goals.

Frequent Urination Or Urgency

To help deal with frequent urination and/or the urgent need to urinate, for example, it may be helpful to reduce the amount of drinks you consume that contain alcohol and caffeine. Some people find that reducing their intake of other possible bladder irritants can help, such as carbonated drinks, chocolate, tomatoes, acidic fruits and juices, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners.

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Bladder Cancer Risk And Causes

Although definite causes are unknown at this stage, certain factors are known to be associated with the risk of developing the disease. These include:

Smoking smokers are three to four times more likely to get the disease than nonsmokers.
Age the older you are the more susceptible you are to the disease
Gender men are four times more likely to develop bladder cancer
Exposure to chemicals especially in the textile, petrochemical and rubber industries
Repeated chronic bladder infections particularly if inflammation from foreign objects is ever-present
Treatments for other cancers including some chemotherapy and radiography treatments

Urinary Incontinence An Often Unrecognized Cancer Complication

HOUSTON–Urinary incontinence is a common complication of cancer and cancer therapies that can impose long-term effects on quality of life yet, this condition remains underemphasized in this patient population, Dorothy Smith, RN, OCN, director of Clinic Relations, Des Chutes Medical, Bend, Oregon, said at M.D. Andersons 2nd annual nursing conference.

Both patients and physicians tend to disregard incontinence, Ms. Smith said. “Ive seen patients, men and women, who have been wet for 10 or 11 years. Although they are frustrated, they are coping with their condition rather than discussing it because they are embarrassed.”

Caregivers may not understand the physiological effects certain cancers and cancer therapies can have on continence rather, they may consider it a natural progression of age, she said. As such, urinary incontinence may not be considered an important quality-of-life concern and is typically underassessed and undertreated.

Radiation exposure will cause the urethra to become dry and thin and lose tissue layers, she said. These changes may worsen and may eventually result in incontinence.

A Careful History

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Prostate Cancer And Incontinence

Incontinence the inability to control urine flow is a common side effect of all therapies directed at the prostate gland. Most patients do eventually regain complete urinary control. Exercises to strengthen the sphincter and surrounding pelvic muscles can help you regain urinary control. These are called Kegel exercises. A training program called biofeedback helps reinforce the proper performance of Kegel exercises. Medications may also help relieve incontinence. A male sling is a surgical option, as is an artificial urinary sphincter which can be surgically inserted in cases of severe incontinence. Ask your doctor about these options.

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Can A Urinary Tract Infection Cause Incontinence

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Yes, it is possible that the UTI has caused damage to your pelvic floor muscles. This can make it difficult to hold in urine or stool. Damage to your pelvic floor muscles may also cause urinary incontinence.

The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for the ability to control the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs.

There can be many causes of incontinence which you should discuss with your doctor. Bladder infections are one possible cause. Both bladder infections and urinary incontinence have similar symptoms that may not always be obvious.

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How May Erectile Dysfunction Affect My Sex Life

Most men find that their sex life is different after prostate cancer treatment. Some men question their manliness when they cannot have an erection or find that they are not interested in sex. This can happen even if you are not currently in an intimate relationship. You may find this upsetting. Even if one of the medications or erection aids is helpful, having sex using these things may take some getting used to. It may not feel entirely natural. You can talk with your doctor or healthcare team about these feelings. Counseling may also help.

If you have an intimate partner, it is important for you to talk to your partner about how you are feeling. There is an old saying that a problem shared is a problem halved. Not everyone wants a sexual relationship. Dont try to guess or assume what your partner wants. Have an open and honest discussion with your partner.

This may seem unnecessary in long-term relationships as people tend to assume they know all there is to know about their partner but this is not always the case. With time, you and your partner may be able to find satisfying ways to have a sex life even though you have erectile dysfunction. Your partner will also have concerns about your sex life as well as concerns about your health. Talking about your feelings is very important during this time.

How We Diagnose Bladder Cancer:

Urine analysis to determine if microscopic blood is present in the urine can be a way to detect bladder cancer. Cytology is also a way to examine a sample of urine for cancer markers that may be present with bladder cancer.
Cystoscopy, or examining the bladder with a tiny camera is another way to diagnose and even biopsy/treat bladder cancer.
CT/MRI imaging. Depending on risk factors, findings on urine analysis and overall suspicion, advanced imaging may be used to view the bladder and surrounding organs.

Types Of Urinary Incontinence:

Stress incontinence: People with stress incontinence may experience problems while they are laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting, exercising or standing up.
Urge incontinence: Those with urge incontinence experience the need to urinate frequently. They must get to a restroom quickly to prevent leaking. The urge sensation can be uncomfortable or even painful.
Mixed incontinence: Individuals with mixed incontinence commonly experience a combination of stress and urge symptoms.
Overflow incontinence: Overflow incontinence occurs when some obstruction to the urine flow causes the bladder to overfill and leak small amounts. This can occur if the prostate is enlarged and squeezes the urethra or if the bladder valve does not open properly. There may be the feeling of having to urinate every few minutes because the bladder usually does not empty completely.

I Have A Cancer Diagnosis: Will I Have Incontinence Too

13 best images about Urine incontinence on Pinterest

Loss of urine control is among the many fears people may experience upon a cancer diagnosis, but incontinence does not always occur with cancer.

There are many causes of bladder incontinence, including cancer and cancer treatment. Arm yourself with knowledge about incontinence and cancer to help you manage it.

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Will I Have Incontinence For My Entire Life

Sometimes incontinence is a short-term issue that will go away once the cause ends. This is often the case when you have a condition like a urinary tract infection . Once treated, frequent urination and leakage problems caused by a UTI typically end. This is also true for some women who experience bladder control issues during pregnancy. For many, the issues end in the weeks after delivery. However, other causes of incontinence are long-term and related to conditions that are managed throughout your life. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, you may have incontinence for a long period of time. In those cases, its important to talk to your provider about the best ways to manage your incontinence so that it doesnt interfere with your life.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

It can be embarrassing to talk about bathroom habits with your healthcare provider. This embarrassment shouldnt stop you from treating incontinence, though. Often, your healthcare provider can help figure out the cause of your bladder control issue and help make it better. You dont need to deal with it alone. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best ways to treat incontinence so that you can lead a full and active life without worrying about leakage.

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Diagnosis Of Bladder Cancer In Dogs

As mentioned above, symptoms of canine bladder cancer are similar to other bladder problems such as bladder stones or infections.

So, as a first step, the vet will do a series of tests , biochemistry profile, urinalysis, urine culture, and bladder imaging) to rule out other possible bladder problems.

If the tests rule out other bladder or urinary tract problems and cancer is suspected, the vet will do a tissue biopsy, which is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis.

Once the vet has made a definitive diagnosis of bladder cancer, the next step is to perform tumor staging. This staging is to determine the stage of the disease in order to decide on the most appropriate treatment program.

The stage of the disease is basically determined by three factors the primary tumor, spread to the lymph nodes, and spread to other organs.

Urinary Incontinence Is More Common Than You Think

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If you have accidentally leaked urine when sneezing, coughing or exerting yourself, it may leave you feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Urinary incontinence , the inability to control urination, may have a significant impact on your quality of life. Anxiety about urine leakage may keep you from doing things you love, such as dining out or playing sports. But know this: you are not alone. About half of all adult women and one quarter of adult men experience some symptoms of UI.

UI is a common side effect of some cancers and treatments, especially those involving the prostate, bladder and reproductive organs. Sometimes, cancer and its treatment may affect bladder function by changing the nerves and muscles used to control urine flow. A prostatectomy , for instance, may affect the valves of the bladder and disrupt the way it holds urine. Also, certain medications, such as some blood pressure medications and antidepressants, may cause UI.

How Can I Manage Incontinence At Home

Prostate Cancer: Managing Urinary Incontinence

Incontinence can be uncomfortable and disruptive. It can cause sleeping problems, make you feel ashamed or angry, or affect your daily life in other ways. In addition to working with your health care team to find the best treatment, there are things you can do at home to help make incontinence better or more comfortable.

Limit how much you drink, especially coffee and alcohol. Avoid foods that can irritate the bladder, including dairy products, citrus fruits, sugar, chocolate, soda, tea, and vinegar.
Go to the bathroom right before bedtime and any vigorous activity.
Wear an absorbent pad inside your underwear or disposable incontinence underwear.
Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight can put pressure on the bladder and muscles that support it.
Go to the bathroom regularly each day. Do not wait too long or put off going.
Quit smoking. Nicotine can irritate the bladder. It can also make you cough and leak urine.
Do Kegel exercises. Ask your health care team about doing Kegel exercises at home. They can make your bladder stronger. To do Kegel exercises, first tighten the muscles you use to stop the flow of urine. Then, relax those muscles. Repeat the exercise several times. During this exercise, relax the muscles in your belly, buttocks, and thigh.

Finally, it can help to find support. Talk with your health care team or join a support group for people with bladder problems. It can help you feel better to know that other people are also dealing with incontinence.

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How Is Urinary Incontinence Linked To Utis

If youve ever had a urinary tract infection you may know that a common symptom is urine leakage. This can be true even for those who dont normally experience urinary incontinence.

Infections and bacteria within the bladder and urinary tract can cause you to have strong, sudden urges to urinate, which sometimes can result in an accident.

But one thing you may not know is that urinary tract infections are actually more common in people who already experience some types of incontinence. This can be due to several factors:

People who have a condition that allows urine to build up in the bladder are at risk for developing UTIs because bacteria can build up in the urine that is left in the bladder. These conditions may include:

Urinary retention
Constipation due to compromised pelvic floor

Those who use catheters for incontinence may be at a greater risk for UTIs due to the bacteria that can develop if the catheter is not kept clean.

Poor hygiene habits can cause bacteria to develop around the genital area, which can then creep up into the urinary tract, causing a UTI.

Many people with incontinence tend to limit fluids to avoid having an accident. However, when this is done to an extreme, it can cause dehydration and a concentration of urine within the bladder, leading to the development of bacteria and infection.

What Are The Symptoms Of Advanced Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer often produces noticeable symptoms, such as bloody urine. If enough blood is present, the urine may appear brown, dark red, orange or pink in color. Even if the urine does not change color, the presence of a small amount of blood can be detected through a urinalysis, a simple test that is typically included as part of a routine physical examination.

With that said, blood in the urine is not a definitive sign of bladder cancer. In fact, it more often indicates a less serious condition, such as infection, kidney stones, bladder stones or benign kidney disease. Even so, its important to identify the cause of bloody urine so it can be treated, if necessary.

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Blockage Or Narrowing In The Urethra Or Bladder Neck

For you to be able to urinate normally, all parts of your urinary tract need to work together in the correct order. Urine normally flows from your kidneys, through the ureters to your bladder, and out the urethra. If a blockage or narrowing occurs somewhere along the urinary tract, you may have difficulty urinating, and if the blockage is severe, you may not be able to urinate at all.

Medical problems that may narrow the urethra and block urine flow include