The Most Frequent Initial Symptom Of Bladder Cancer Is

Advanced Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

What are the first signs of bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is considered advanced when the tumor has grown and penetrated the bladder lining and surrounding layers of tissue and muscle. At this stage, the cancer may have spread to other parts of the body . Symptoms of advanced bladder cancer include the following:

Urination problems: Inability to urinate
Pain in the lower back: Another indication the tumor has spread is pain, particularly in the area above your pubic bone or the flank area. Pain in your perineum might also occur if your bladder cancer has reached tissues nearby. Pain may only be on one side.
Weight loss or loss of appetite: You lose weight without trying, or you’ve lost your appetite and aren’t as hungry as usual.
Feeling weak or fatigued: You may feel lethargic and extremely tired a lot of the time.
Bone pain: If your cancer has spread to the bone, it can cause bone pain or a bone fracture.
Swollen feet: Bladder cancer that has spread to your lymph nodes, for instance, could cause your feet to swell.

If the bladder cancer has spread to another part of your body, you could develop symptoms specific to that particular area. For example:

Once again, these symptoms could be due to something other than bladder cancer, so be sure to have your doctor check them out.

The Most Effective Way To Treat Bladder Cancer Early Is To Be Aware Of The Warning Signs And To Act If You Notice Any Symptoms Here Are 3 Early Warning Signs

Bladder cancer is most common in people aged over 60, with more men developing the disease than women. Here are 3 common early warning signs of bladder cancer to be aware of.

Bladder cancer develops when abnormal cells in the bladder start to mutate, grow uncontrollably and more rapidly than normal cells. This can be caused by genetics, age, family history or lifestyle factors such as smoking. Bladder cancer is harder to detect than other types of cancers and symptoms often mirror less serious conditions. Knowing how to read the early warning signs can be vital for early treatment options.

Be vigilant of these key early warning signs. If any of these symptoms present themselves, please dont hesitate to get in touch for assessment.

Can Bladder Cancer Be Cured

Bladder cancer can be cured when detected and treated early. Thus, it is important to recognize early signs and seek urgent medical attention. Several treatment options are available for bladder cancer depending on factors such as the type of bladder cancer, its stage and your overall health and treatment preferences. Sometimes, a combination of treatment options may be used. The treatment of bladder cancer includes

Surgery

What Is Frequent Urination

Frequent urination means that you have to urinate more often than you usually do.1,3 This symptom can result from an overactive bladder or a weak bladder. Frequent urination is a symptom that affects both men and women. When a patient needs to urinate frequently at night, the medical term is nocturia.

On average, a healthy adult generally needs to urinate around 4 to 8 times during a day. Talk with your healthcare provider if you need to urinate more often than that on a daily basis, or if you find yourself needing to urinate more often every day than you usually do.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer In A Woman ...

Bladder cancer does not necessarily cause urinary tract infections , but the symptoms and signs may be mistaken for a UTI. The presentation of bladder cancer and a UTI are quite similar. Upon hearing the symptoms and detecting blood in the urine in a urinalysis, a physician might misdiagnose the more common infection and prescribe an antibiotic. If an individual is getting consistent UTIs for no other apparent reason, however, this can indicate a more serious underlying condition such as bladder cancer.

Other Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer Can Include:

The need to urinate often
An intense need to urinate
Trouble urinating
A burning sensation or pain during urination
Back, pelvic or groin pain

In addition, symptoms for metastatic bladder cancer may include:

Weight loss and loss of appetite
Fatigue, weakness and general discomfort
Swelling in the feet
Swollen lymph nodes
Shortness of breath or coughing

Its important to note that you may not have all these signs and symptoms. Also, some of the symptoms listed above may be signs of other conditions. The symptoms are also dependent on which part of body the cancer has spread to. Consult your health care provider if you are concerned about any of these symptoms.

To read more about the symptoms of bladder cancer along with other trending topics, visit our forums hosted by bladder cancer survivors and talk to people who have been there!

Are There Other Signs Or Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

Less commonly, an individual may not experience any signs or symptoms of bladder cancer until it has spread to other parts of the body. For example, if cancer has spread to the liver, abdominal pain may be the first symptom noticed. Other symptoms of advanced bladder cancer can include:

Pain on one side of the lower back
Pelvic pain
Swelling in the feet
An inability to urinate

Again, the fact you have one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have bladder cancer but it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible if youre concerned.

Recommended Reading: Can Dehydration Cause Overactive Bladder

Treatment For Stage 4 Bladder Cancer

Treatment for stage 4 bladder cancer may include:

chemotherapy without surgery to relieve symptoms and extend life
radical cystectomy and removal of the surrounding lymph nodes, followed by a surgery to create a new way for urine to exit the body
chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells or to relieve symptoms and extend life
clinical trial drugs

, the five-year survival rates by stage are the following:

The five-year survival rate for people with stage 0 bladder cancer is around 98 percent.
The five-year survival rate for people with stage 1 bladder cancer is around 88 percent.
The five-year survival rate for people with stage 2 bladder cancer is around 63 percent.
The five-year survival rate for people with stage 3 bladder cancer is around 46 percent.
The five-year survival rate for people with stage 4 bladder cancer is around 15 percent.

There are treatments available for all stages. Also, survival rates dont always tell the whole story and cant predict your future. Speak with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have regarding your diagnosis and treatment.

Because doctors dont yet know what causes bladder cancer, it may not be preventable in all cases. The following factors and behaviors can reduce your risk of getting bladder cancer:

not smoking

Prognosis For Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer: Risks and Symptoms

Superficial bladder cancer rarely causes death. Carcinoma in situ may be more aggressive. For patients with invasion of the bladder musculature, the 5-year survival rate is about 50%, but neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves these results in chemosensitive patients. Generally, prognosis for patients with progressive or recurrent invasive bladder cancer is poor. Prognosis for patients with squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the bladder is also poor because these cancers are usually highly infiltrative and often detected at an advanced stage.

Early Warning Signs Of Bladder Cancer

Blood in the urine : This is typically the first sign of bladder cancer. It may be present on a regular basis or disappear and reappear over the course of days or weeks. Sometimes blood is present in such a small amount that it cant be seen with the naked eye, called microscopic hematuria, buta urine test may be able to detect it.

Even a small amount of blood may cause the color of urine to change to orange, pink or, rarely, dark red. When blood causes urines color to change, its called gross hematuria.

Early-stage bladder cancer doesn’t usually cause pain or other symptoms besides bleeding. But blood in the urine doesn’t always mean there’s a tumor in the bladder. It’s more likely to be caused by a less serious condition, such as an infection. kidney stones, bladder stones, or noncancerous tumors or kidney diseases.

Its also important to note that blood from menstruation may show up in a womans urine test, which may cause a false-positive test result. In this case, doctors may recommend repeating the test.

Urination changes: Changes in urination are more commonly a sign of a less serious condition, such as a benign tumor, infection, urinary tract infection, bladder stones, an overactive bladder or, in men, an enlarged prostate. But they also may be another early sign of bladder cancer symptoms. These changes may include:

Common Signs And Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

Health Check Certified By: Dr. Gerald Morris

Bladder cancer is among the most common types of cancer, with approximately 79,000 new diagnoses in the United States each yearthe vast majority of which are in males. According to the American Cancer Society, this accounts for about 5-percent of all new cancers in the US.

Transurethral Resection Of Bladder Tumors

Advances in operative instrumentation have greatly enhanced the ability of urologists to identify, treat, and follow patients with bladder tumors. The approach to a new patient with a bladder tumor mirrors that of any new patient visit, with particular attention paid to those factors most likely to have contributed to the development of bladder cancer. A detailed history and physical examination should be performed. Care should be taken to identify known risk factors including but not limited to tobacco exposure, previous cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, aromatic amines, and phenacetin use. Information regarding surgical implants and valvular heart disease may influence antibiotic prophylaxis and should be obtained and compared with current guidelines. In addition, all patients should be queried regarding either a personal or a family history of bleeding with procedures and the use of anticoagulants, because these questions are relevant in preparation for surgery. We have not observed significant bleeding difficulty in patients who are on aspirin, and it is not our routine to stop aspirin therapy however, we advise caution in patients taking other anticoagulants because these pose a higher bleeding risk. The specific timing of discontinuation as it relates to each medication’s half-life and the need for bridging should be discussed preoperatively with the appropriate care team.

Talking To Your Doctor About Bladder Symptoms

Bladder Cancer, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and ...

When you meet with your doctor, it’s important to share all the symptoms you’re experiencing and to be as specific as possible. It’s a good idea to prepare for your appointment by writing a list of your symptoms and the questions you would like to ask.

When you create a list of your symptoms, try to include the following:

All the symptoms you have experienced
How often and at what time of day the symptoms occur
How long the symptoms last
If the symptoms seem to be getting better or worse
If the symptoms interfere with your usual daily activities
If anything relieves or worsens these issues

In addition to having a detailed list of symptoms to bring to your appointment, be ready to share information such as all of the medications you take , your habits and lifestyle , and any major life changes or stressors you may be experiencing.

Most importantly, be sure to answer your doctor’s questions openly and honestly, as this will help them to achieve a timely and accurate diagnosis.

Recommended Reading: Treatment Of Overactive Bladder In Males

What Tests Will I Have If My Doctor Suspects Bladder Cancer Or Another Urinary Problem

Your doctor will want to analyze your urine to determine if an infection could be a cause of your symptoms. A microscopic examination of the urine, called cytology, will look for cancer cells.

A cystoscopy is the main procedure to identify and diagnose bladder cancer. In this procedure, a lighted telescope is inserted into your bladder from the urethra to view the inside of the bladder and, when done under anesthesia, take tissue samples , which are later examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. When this procedure is done in the doctors office, local anesthesia gel is placed into the urethra prior to the procedure to minimize the discomfort.

If the diagnosis of bladder cancer is made, then the next step is to remove the tumor for detailed staging and diagnosis.

Transurethral resection is a procedure done under general or spinal anesthesia in the operating room. A telescope is inserted into the bladder and the tumor is removed by scraping it from the bladder wall , using a special cystoscope . This procedure is diagnostic as well as therapeutic.

This often can be done as an outpatient procedure, with patients discharged from hospital the same day. After removal, the tumor is analyzed by a pathologist, who will determine the type of tumor, the tumor grade and the depth of invasion. The purpose of the procedure is to remove the tumor and obtain important staging information .

What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

Many people with bladder cancer can have blood in their urine but no pain while urinating. There are a number of symptoms that might indicate bladder cancer like fatigue, weight loss, and bone tenderness, and these can indicate more advanced disease. You should pay particular attention to the following symptoms:

an intravenous pyelogram
X-rays

Your doctor can rate bladder cancer with a staging system that goes from stages 0 to 4 to identify how far the cancer has spread. The stages of bladder cancer mean the following:

Stage 0 bladder cancer hasnt spread past the lining of the bladder.
Stage 1 bladder cancer has spread past the lining of the bladder, but it hasnt reached the layer of muscle in the bladder.
Stage 2 bladder cancer has spread to the layer of muscle in the bladder.
Stage 3 bladder cancer has spread into the tissues that surround the bladder.
Stage 4 bladder cancer has spread past the bladder to the neighboring areas of the body.

Your doctor will work with you to decide what treatment to provide based on the type and stage of your bladder cancer, your symptoms, and your overall health.

Also Check: Causes Of Weak Bladder Control

Metastatic And Recurrent Cancers

Metastases require chemotherapy, generally cisplatin based, which is frequently effective but rarely curative unless metastases are confined to lymph nodes. Combination chemotherapy may prolong life in patients with metastatic disease. For patients who are cisplatin ineligible or have progressed after receiving cisplatin-based regimens, newer immunotherapies using PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors are available, such as pembrolizumab and atezolizumab. The first targeted therapy, erdafitinib, has also recently been approved by the FDA for use in patients with FGFR3 and FGFR2 mutations who have failed treatment with chemotherapy.

Treatment of recurrent cancer depends on clinical stage and site of recurrence and previous treatment. Recurrence after transurethral resection of superficial tumors is usually treated with a 2nd resection or fulguration. Early cystectomy is recommended for recurrent high-grade superficial bladder cancers.

What Are The Treatment Options For Muscle

Scripps Health: Urologist Explains Potential Signs of Bladder Cancer on KUSI

Treatment options that may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment advised for each case depends on various factors such as the stage of the cancer , and your general health.

You should have a full discussion with a specialist who knows your case. He or she will be able to give the pros and cons, the likely success rate, the possible side-effects and other details about the possible treatment options for your type of cancer.

You should also discuss with your specialist the aims of treatment. For example:

Treatment may aim to cure the cancer. Some bladder muscle-invasive cancers can be cured, particularly if they are treated in the early stages of the disease.
Treatment may aim to control the cancer. If a cure is not realistic, with treatment it is often possible to limit the growth or spread of the cancer so that it progresses less rapidly. This may keep you free of symptoms for some time.
Treatment may aim to ease symptoms. If a cure is not possible, treatments may be used to reduce the size of a cancer, which may ease symptoms such as pain. If a cancer is advanced then you may require treatments such as painkillers or other treatments to help keep you free of pain or other symptoms.

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What Is Fatigue And How Is It Different From Being Tired

Fatigue is not the same thing as normal tiredness.3 Fatigue is chronic lack of energy on a regular basis, and it is not remedied by resting or a good nights sleep. Fatigue can make it very difficult to carry out your normal, day-to-day activities. It can happen very quickly and often does not seem to have a specific reason.

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.
Cytology
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.

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