Christopher B Anderson Md
Dr. Anderson’s research interests include factors that influence the quality of surgery, access to care for patients with bladder cancer, outcomes after robotic prostatectomy, and active surveillance strategies for men with prostate cancer. Dr. Anderson has published several peer-reviewed articles and was recognized as “Best Reviewer” in 2014 by The Journal of Urology and in 2016 by Cancer.
Dr. Anderson has clinical expertise in robotic prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer, radical cystectomy with orthotopic neobladder for patients with bladder cancer, and partial nephrectomy for the treatment of kidney tumors. He also specializes in the multidisciplinary management of men with testicular cancer, including the use of primary and post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. He is currently the site leader for several clinical trials investigating the use of immunotherapy in patients with invasive and non-invasive bladder cancer.
My Bladder Cancer Journey
In June 2009, I noticed a tinge of blood in my urine, but I quickly dismissed it because I had bigger fish to fry at the time. My husband’s business had suffered financial losses, and we had just sent our daughter to a long-term treatment program across the country. I never thought it could be a bladder cancer symptom.
In August, I finally made an appointment with a local urologist, thinking I had a mild urinary tract infection . I went alone with the intentions of returning to work after the appointment. The urine specimen they collected showed traces of blood, but no bacteria.
A cystoscopy was performed and revealed a tumor at the dome of the bladder. I calmly asked, “Could it be cancer?” The doctor responded, “It likely is.”
My bladder cancer diagnosis and treatmentA few weeks later, I underwent a transurethral resection , a surgery in which the tumor is scraped from the bladder, then a partial cystectomy. Both confirmed that I had urachal adenocarcinoma, a rare type of bladder cancer. It represents less than 0.5 to 2% of all bladder cancers, and research showed survival at less than a year.
Why I haven’t given up I took many chemotherapy drugs off and on, both as an inpatient and outpatient. I experienced all the common side effects, including hair loss. I had radiation and later a wedge resection to my right lung.
What You Should Know About Bladder Cancer
This year, nearly 75,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The vast majority of people diagnosed with this disease are white men over age 55, but bladder cancer can — and does — affect men and women of all ages and races.For many, blood in the urine will be the first tell-tale bladder cancer symptom. But many patients don’t come to MD Anderson until their disease is late-stage and the bladder cancer has spread. And that, says, Arlene Siefker-Radtke, M.D., associate professor in Genitourinary Medical Oncology, can make it harder to treat.Here’s what Dr. Siefker-Radtke wants bladder cancer patients and caregivers to know so they can get the best treatment possible and boost their chances of beating this disease.What factors make someone more likely to develop bladder cancer?
Tobacco use is one of the biggest risk factors for bladder cancer. That includes smoking, as well as every other kind of tobacco use, including snuff, dip and chew.Chemical exposure also can increase a person’s risk of bladder cancer. People who work around a lot of chemicals are more likely to develop bladder cancer.
Chronic urinary tract infections and kidney stones also can put you at increased risk for bladder cancer.What are the most common bladder cancer symptoms?
Transurethral resection, surgery to remove the tumor, is the standard bladder cancer treatment, but many patients also need another type of treatment as well.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Bladder Cancer Treatment
Banner MD Anderson is here to help you understand your treatment options, including potential side effects and how to manage them. The side effects of bladder cancer surgery depend on the procedure. Common physical side effects of bladder cancer treatments include:
- Bladder irritation
- Mild bleeding and discomfort after surgery
Support Groups Services And Resources
Scripps offers a comprehensive lineup of support groups, support services and resources to help you along every step of your cancer journey.
Bladder cancer support groups, workshops and events
In addition to the bladder cancer support group listed below, we also host a handful of free workshops and health and wellness events on a number of topics such as:
Support services for cancer patients
We are here for you not only as your oncologists, but as a robust multidisciplinary team of experts who understands that your cancer journey is about much more than your medical treatment. Specifically, Scripps MD Anderson offers a variety of patient support services to ensure your physical, psychological and emotional well-being as well as resources for dealing with the logistical and financial aspects of cancer care. Our services and resources include:
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Bladder Cancer Treatment Plans
For patients whose bladder cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body, treatment will generally include surgery. For superficial disease, patients may also receive intravesical therapy to stimulate the immune system to fight the disease. For some patients, this treatment makes surgery possible. In other cases, it allows patients to get organ-sparing surgery instead of having the entire bladder removed.
In muscle-invasive disease, patients will often get chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy before or after surgery to help shrink the tumor. These treatments are used to kill remaining cancer cells that are not visible to the naked eye. Many patients join clinical trials where they receive medications that are being evaluated for use as bladder cancer treatments, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy options.
Patients whose cancer has spread beyond the bladder to distant sites like the lungs, liver or bones, usually get chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. These patients may also be eligible for clinical trials.
About Manojkumar Bupathi Md Ms
Dr. Bupathi is a board-certified medical oncologist and joined Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in 2017. He specializes in solid tumors with an advanced subspecialty expertise in breast cancers and genitourinary cancers . Dr. Bupathi is deeply committed to personalized care, always taking the time to listen and understand what matters to his patients. He is valued by his patients, peers, and colleagues for his excellent clinical judgment. He makes it a point to be well-prepared for patient visits by reviewing charts and consulting with colleagues and team members prior to appointments. His patients have his full attention and he is devoted to their best interests.
In addition to Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, Dr. Bupathi also sees patients for Phase I clinical research trials at Sarah Canon Research Institute in Denver. Dr. Bupathi is available to see patients at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers clinics in Aurora, Englewood, and Littleton Clinics as well as Sarah Canon Research Institute in Denver.
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Why Choose Md Anderson Cancer Center At Cooper For Prostate Cancer Treatment
The Prostate Cancer Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is uniquely equipped to provide the people of our region with the most advanced treatment options because
- MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is the regions leading center for the detection, evaluation and treatment of prostate cancer. Patients can confidently look to Cooper for the very best in cancer diagnosis and care.
- The Prostate Cancer Center is able to offer patients access to state-of-the-art treatment options, including the latest clinical trials.
- MD Anderson at Cooper physicians are leaders in cancer research and care. Many of them are among the Delaware Valleys Top Docs in the treatment of genitourinary malignancies and other types of cancer.
- Our physicians are respected educators at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. As a result, they are completely familiar with significant, new developments taking place in cancer treatment.
Urologists Most Commonly Diagnose Bladder Cancer
Urologists are doctors who specialize in treating the urinary tract and reproductive system.2 Many people assume that urologists only specialize in treating men, but this is not true. Urologists treat both men and women. Urologists are experts in the health of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra in men and women. In men, they also treat the prostate, testicles, and genitals.
If you need to have surgery as part of your treatment for bladder cancer, then a urological surgeon may perform the operation. Urologists also provide cancer treatment with certain types of chemotherapy.
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About Robert Svatek Md
Dr. Robert Svatek was born and raised in Wharton, a small town approximately 60 miles southwest of Houston in the gulf coast region of Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for undergraduate training and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for medical school. He then completed his urology residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Following residency, he completed a 3-year fellowship in urologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. While there, he also earned his master of science in clinical research investigation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Center for Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Medicine. He was then recruited to the department of urology at UT Health San Antonio in 2010, to build a bladder cancer center of excellence.
Dr. Svatek was also named one of San Antonios Top Doctors 2021 and Texas Monthly’s Super Doctors 2020.
Advanced Practice Providers Working With Dr Bupathi
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
- HER2+ Breast Cancers
- Lobular Carcinoma in Situ
- Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Paget Disease of the Breast
- Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Medical Oncology Fellowship, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Investigational Cancer Therapeutics Fellowship, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Gastrointestinal Oncology Advanced Fellowship, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Research Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Translational Hematology & Oncology, Cleveland, OH
Residency
Internal Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Medical School
St. Georges University, School of Medicine, West Indies, Grenada
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What Causes Bladder Cancer
You may be at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer due to your lifestyle, age or genetics. If you have risk factors, like being a smoker or over age 55, talk to your doctor about prevention and testing.
Banner MD Anderson focuses on the whole person when it comes to cancer care. Were here for you every step of the way – from symptoms to treatment and everything in between. If you have risk factors or symptoms of bladder cancer, considering making an appointment with Banner MD Andersons caring team of health care professionals.
Bladder Cancer Clinical Trials
MD Anderson researchers are developing new treatments for patients with bladder cancer. One area of study is immunotherapy. These drugs work by improving the ability of the patients immune system to fight cancer. Most immunotherapies that are currently in clinical trial for bladder cancer are checkpoint inhibitors, which keep the immune system from shutting off before the cancer is completely destroyed.
Researchers are also exploring targeted therapies for bladder cancer. These drugs do not directly kill cancer cells. Instead, they stop or slow the spread of cancer by interfering with, or targeting, the molecules cancer cells need to survive and expand.
Visit our clinical trials site to learn more and search for clinical trials.
In rare cases, bladder cancer can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Visit our genetic testing page to learn more.
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What Are The Symptoms And Types Of Bladder Cancer
There are three main types of bladder cancer. Urothelial carcinoma, which is the most common, starts in the bladders walls. Squamous cell is less frequent, but more aggressive and forms in the bladder after long-term irritation. Adenocarcinoma develops in the inner lining of the bladder and tends to be aggressive. In general, blood in the urine is the first symptom of bladder cancer.
An Update On Key Areas Of Progress In Bladder Cancer
Urothelial carcinoma remains one of the most common malignancies, with about 81,000 new diagnoses and approximately 17,000 associated deaths in 2022 alone.1 Survival numbers are dependent on early diagnosis and drop with delayed diagnosis and/or advanced stages of disease.1 Both muscle-invasive bladder cancer and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer are associated with substantial morbidity and reduced quality of life.2,3
Ashish Kamat, MD, MBBS Bishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasNiyati Lobo, FRCS & Ashish Kamat, MDBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. FaltasBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MDBishoy M. Faltas, MD
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Bladder Cancer Treatment Locations
Scripps diagnoses and treats bladder cancer at numerous locations throughout San Diego County. From Chula Vista and La Jolla to Encinitas and beyond, our extensive network of cancer care centers includes:
- Four Scripps hospitals on five campuses
- Outpatient clinics
- Specialty cancer treatment centers
Learn more about our gamut of cancer care locations in Southern California and the services offered at each.
We are now offering Video Visits for some specialty care appointments. If you are interested in scheduling a Video Visit, contact the providers office directly. The doctors office will work with you to determine if this is the right type of visit for you.
Primary Care Doctors Can Refer You To A Specialist
Many people go to their primary care physician with the initial symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of bladder cancer.1 Primary care physicians carry out the initial physical examination and may have urine analyzed. If your primary physician thinks your symptoms are possible signs of bladder cancer, you may be referred to other healthcare providers and specialists for further testing to make a diagnosis.
After you have been treated for bladder cancer, your primary care physician helps to monitor you for signs and symptoms of recurrence, which happens if the cancer cells start to grow again. Detecting possible recurrence at an early stage is very important.
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Leading Bladder Cancer Treatment In San Diego
Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leader in caring for people with bladder cancer. Our oncology specialists treat bladder cancer with advanced therapies designed to eliminate cancer and prevent recurrence, including minimally invasive surgery that uses small incisions, potentially resulting in shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery, and immunotherapy to harness the power of the bodys own immune system.
Our multidisciplinary, collaborative board of cancer specialists reviews every patients care plan to ensure you receive the best possible care from diagnosis to recovery.
Treatment And Clinical Trials
When youve been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you want a team of expert cancer specialists on your side. Scripps MD Anderson’s multidisciplinary oncology teams fight bladder cancer using the latest evidence-based treatments and therapies. Surgery is part of nearly every bladder cancer treatment plan, and whenever possible, Scripps surgeons will use advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques to minimize your discomfort, hospital stay and recovery time.
Our approach to treating bladder cancer
Your Scripps MD Anderson cancer care team includes professionals from every area of oncology, including urologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and nurses who specialize in cancer care. Should you need reconstructive surgery after your bladder cancer treatment, count on our surgeons for the expertise that has brought comfort and confidence to many patients.
In addition, your nurse navigator will help coordinate your care and ensure you have support and guidance throughout your treatment and recovery. Learn more about how Scripps puts you at the center of care.
Bladder cancer treatment options at Scripps MD Anderson
Your Scripps MD Anderson cancer care team will customize your treatment plan based on several factors, including:
- The stage of your cancer
- Whether your cancer has spread
- Your age and overall health
Treatment for bladder cancer typically involves surgery. Other treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, may be given before or after surgery.
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Health Effects Of Chlorine
- Bladder CancerA case study in Ontario Canada revealed results indicating the risk of bladder cancer increases with duration and concentration exposure to chlorination byproducts. The study placed the attributable risk to the population at close to 16 percent, which is a significant risk.
- Colon CancerA case study in 1997 highlighted the link between drinking chlorinated water and developing colon cancer. The results showed definitively that exposure to chlorination byproducts in your drinking water is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Heart TroubleDr. Joseph Price linked chlorinated drinking water to arteriosclerosis, in which plaque composed mainly of cholesterol builds up inside arteries. Arteriosclerosis has been linked directly to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes. www.whale.to
It is no real surprise that a chemical that was effectively used as a weapon in WWI can have some adverse effects when consumed in drinking water. As with the case of fluoride and many other additives, the dose makes the poison. Unlike others, there is a cumulative effect with chlorine that can possibly lead to health issues when ingested over a length of time.
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