Bladder Cancer

Located in the lower abdomen, the bladder is a hollow organ shaped as a balloon, having a flexible muscle wall. The inner wall of the bladder is lined with transitional cells. Almost all bladder cancers originate in the surface of the bladder wall. Bladder cancer affects three times more men than women. In 80 percent of cases are diagnosed in people aged over 60 years in more than 50 percent in people aged 70 and older.  

Almost generally, cancer of the bladder can manifest in various forms, very different from each other, but the superficial form is the most common, accounting for 80 percent of bladder cancers. It is more or less limited to the mucosa of the bladder and less serious. However, if left untreated, the cancer can also be capable of invading the musculature of the bladder wall (invasive type). In addition, superficial bladder tumors may recur and affect other organ.  

As is the case with most cancers, the risk of bladder cancer is very high among smokers. The toxic substances of tobacco are eliminated by the kidneys and the bladder. Some of those harmful substances can remain in the bladder, leading to development of malignant tumor. Certain pain killers contain phenacetin which is also suspected in the develop bladder cancer. In addition, individuals who are constantly exposed - during their work some - and inhale certain chemicals also run a high risk of contracting cancer of the bladder.  This risk is even higher if you suffer from stress or depression

Treatment of bladder cancer varies depending on the characteristics of the tumor. Superficial cancers that do not exceed the lining of the bladder can be electrically usually destroyed during endoscopic resection. In case of recurrence of a superficial tumor, it is possible to use intravesical instillation, direct application in the bladder of anti-tumor agents designed to act on the walls of the bladder. The application is made by a thin catheter inserted into the urethra using a catheter. As for invasive tumors that penetrate deeply into the muscular wall of the bladder or superficial tumors that rapidly grows, the treatment is cystectomy, surgical removal of the bladder.