Dr. Prashant Kumar - Understanding Bladder Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

1. Introduction to Bladder Cancer

ౠBladder cancer is a significant global health issue.

☂Around 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths annually worldwide.

💮Ranked as the 10th most common cancer globally and the 19th leading cause of cancer mortality in India.

𒊎Urban areas like Delhi show higher rates due to pollution, industrial contamination, and environmental exposure.

2. Prevalence and Risk Factors

More common in men than women.

꧒Higher incidence in urban areas due to environmental and occupational exposures.

🅰Examples: Arsenic in drinking water, industrial chemicals, and industries like tire and leather. Other contributing factors:

Use of artificial hair dyes.

♈Excessive use of food coloring agents. Chronic bladder irritation or pelvic radiation.

🍎Genetic factors, such as RB1 mutation and LIMP syndrome.

3. Symptoms of Bladder Cancer Common complaints:

Blood in urine (hematuria).

🌺Frequent burning sensations during urination. Blood clots causing urinary retention.

Types of hematuria:

൩Visible to the naked eye or detected microscopically during urine tests.

4. Diagnostic Tests Initial Tests: Urine routine and culture tests to rule out infections

🐬Ultrasound of kidneys, ureters, and bladder (USG KUB).

Advanced Tests:

Blood tests like serum creatinine.

ওCT scan (contrast-enhanced CT urogram) for a complete urinary path assessment. Urine cytology to detect tumor cells and assess the tumor grade.

꧂Molecular studies for genetic testing. Special Techniques: CT urogram with techniques like VI-RADS for staging (muscle-invasive vs. non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer).

5. Treatment Options

For Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer:

Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT):

Tumor resection and grading.

🎀Intravesical chemotherapy through the urinary tract in outpatient settings. Follow-up Regimen: Induction and maintenance cycles.

ℱRegular doses of BCG or other intravesical agents every three to six months. For Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer:

🍸Radical treatments: Removal of the bladder or urinary diversion. Creation of a new bladder using intestines.

Additional therapies: Chemo-radiotherapy.

🥂Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery). Adjuvant chemotherapy (after surgery).

6. Emerging Treatment Options Immunotherapy:

﷽Targets Programmed Cell Death Ligand (PD1/PDL1) pathways. Wide spectrum of treatments based on cancer staging post-TURBT.

7. Importance of Early Detection and Consultation

🦋Early diagnosis can prevent the need for radical treatments. Maintaining the quality of life is possible with early intervention.

🌳Common symptoms like blood in urine or frequent urination should prompt a visit to a urologist.

8. Conclusion

💙Early evaluation is crucial for effective bladder cancer management.

💦Consult a urologist promptly for symptoms like blood in urine or frequent urination.