Cancer has become the most dreaded disease of modern times. If we look at the statistics, around 10 million people lost their lives to this disease in 2020. Any bodily component, including the bladder, can be impacted by cancer.
Bladder cancer was the 6 most diagnosed cancer in 2020, with more than half a million people diagnosed with the disease.
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with bladder cancer, you should start treatment right away. And if you are confused about where to go for treatment, let us help you. Different countries are providing the latest cancer treatment methods and that too at affordable prices!
What is bladder cancer?
Urine is stored in the hollow organ known as the bladder.
When cells in an organ begin to divide unorganizedly, a cluster of cells is formed. This is known as bladder cancer.
The bladder may strike anybody, at any age.
However, your risk of developing the disease is higher i
What are the types of bladder cancer?
The bladder is made up of several cell types.
Every cell type has the potential to become cancerous. Based on the cells that have transformed into cancer, bladder cancer is classified into:
Urothelial carcinoma: Urothelial cells contract and expand to empty the bladder. When these cells begin to divide uncontrollably, urothelial carcinoma occurs.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a rare type of bladder in which squamous cells transform into cancerous cells. Chronic infections or long-term catheter usage are linked to it.
Adenocarcinoma is another rare type of bladder that begins in the glandular cells of the bladder. These cells are found in the bladder lining and secrete mucus.
Based on the location, the bladder can be of two type
What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?
The following are some typical signs and symptoms of bladder cancer:
urine blood
Pain while urinating
Burning during urination
Increased frequency of urination
Cannot urinate when needed
back pain
bone pain
feeling tired
Swelling of the legs
Please note that if you experience any of these symptoms, you do not necessarily have bladder cancer. It is always advisable to consult a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis of the disease.
Where to go after bladder cancer?
Urologic oncologists are medical specialists who diagnose and treat the bladder. Suppose you are experiencing bladder-related symptoms and want a diagnosis or have already been diagnosed with cancer and want proper treatment. In this case, you should consult a uro-oncologist.
Choosing the best physician becomes important for a successful treatment. Euro-oncologists in India, Germany, Turkey, Thailand, and the UAE are highly skilled and experienced in treating any stage of the bladder. They use the latest medical procedures and patient-centered approaches to provide excellent medical care.
What are the treatments available for bladder cancer?
Your treating physician will decide the right treatment method based on the type and stage of your bladder cancer. If you have any questions about the treatment plan, it’s okay to ask questions of the treatment team.
The non-muscle-invasive bladder is treated with TURBT surgery, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. For muscle-invasive bladder, treatment plans include surgery (cystectomy), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or trimodal therapy.
If you do not want to remove your entire bladder, trimodal therapy may be the most appropriate treatment plan. It involves a minor surgery (TURBT) followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
Let’s explore these treatment methods in detail.
chemotherapy
No one is aware of the term chemotherapeutics. It is the first line of treatment for most cancers where the patient receives cytotoxic drugs. For the bladder, you can receive chemotherapy in two ways.
Intravesical chemotherapy: Local or intravesical chemotherapy is given by a urologist. They will insert a catheter through the urethra into the bladder. Mitomycin-c, gemcitabine, docetaxel, and valrubicin are common therapeutic agents approved for intravesical chemotherapy.
Systemic chemotherapy: Intravenous or systemic chemotherapy delivers drugs directly into the bloodstream.