$Unique_ID{BRK01349}
$Pretitle{Neoplasms, Genitourinary System}
$Title{What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?}
$Subject{bladder cancer symptoms, diagnosis}
$Volume{B-16, J-16}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Cancer?


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QUESTION:  Your column has been of great help to me in the past and now I hope
you will answer this question for me.  A while ago I helped take care of a
lady who had her bladder removed because of cancer.  Since then I have heard
"cancer of the bladder" mentioned several times about others.  I was
wondering, what are the symptoms and how is it diagnosed?  Thank you for
helping.

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ANSWER:  This disease strikes men about three times more frequently than
women, and may result from chronic irritation of the bladder.  The irritation
may be caused by stones or infections with schistosomiasis (a parasite), or
from exposure to several types of chemicals that pass out of the body through
the urine, that come from chemicals used in various manufacturing processes
(occupational exposure), or possibly from excretory products of tobacco tars.
The initial signs of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, the presence
of pus, painful urination associated with burning and frequency and finally
pain when infection occurs or when the cancer penetrates the wall of the
bladder.  It is harder to pick up on physical examination but occasionally a
mass can be palpated.  To diagnose a bladder cancer a physician can look
through a telescopic tube like instrument called a cystoscope, and view the
interior of the bladder first hand.  A biopsy of any suspicious lesions is
taken to search for the presence of cancer cells.  During this process an
x-ray examination can be performed (called a cystogram) which can reveal the
presence of an unsuspected mass.  The cancers may be located in superficial
growths, readily removed from the bladder lining, or penetrate into the muscle
of the bladder wall.  When they are deep, then a part of, or the whole bladder
must be removed (partial or complete cystectomy), and the urine flow diverted
through other procedures.  The best results seem to be obtained by combining
surgery and radiation therapy.  A newer method of use in superficial bladder
cancer is to instill solutions containing BCG (bacteria of Calmette and
Guerin), originally developed to produce an immune reaction to the
tuberculosis bacteria.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
