Bladder Cancer: Definition, Stages, Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors and Prevention

Bladder Cancer: Definition, Stages, Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors and Prevention

Bladder Cancer: Definition, Stages, Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors and Prevention-Bladder is the type of flexible hollow bag. it is situated in the pelvis (it is funnel type structure at the outlet of the kidney). the main function of the bladder is to store the urine which is coming out from the kidney. the shape of the bladder is adjusted accordingly. when the bladder is empty then the shape of the bladder is like a pear. As we know that the main function of the kidney is to filter the blood and produce the urine. urine is then further pass through the tubes called ureters to the bladder.

Bladder cancer begins when healthy cells in the bladder lining, most commonly urothelial cells, change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.

The bladder is a hollow organ in the pelvis with flexible, muscular walls. Its main function is to store urine before it leaves the body. Urine is made by the kidneys and is then carried to the bladder through tubes called ureters. When you urinate, the muscles in the bladder contract, and urine is forced out of the bladder through a tube called the urethra.

Bladder cancer  Stages

Stage O: The cancer cells are found only on the surface of the inner lining of the bladder.

Stage I: The tumor has grown deeper into the inner lining of the bladder. But it hasn’t invaded the muscle layer of the bladder.

Stage II: The tumor has invaded the muscle layer of the bladder.

Stage III: The tumor has grown through the muscle layer to reach tissues near the bladder, such as the prostate, uterus, or vagina.

Stage IV: The tumor has invaded the wall of the pelvis or abdomen, but cancer is not found in any lymph nodes. Or, the cancer cells have spread to at least one lymph node or to parts of the body far away from the bladder, such as the liver, lungs, or bones.

Bladder cancer causes and risk factors

• Bladder defects from birth
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Chronic bladder infections and irritations
• Exposure to certain chemicals including aromatic amines
• Low fluid consumption
• Personal or family history of bladder cancer
• Exposure to arsenic in drinking water

People who work in the following industries or who have the following professions also have an increased risk of bladder cancer, likely due to exposure to certain chemicals:

• Manufacturing of rubber, leather, textiles and paint products
• Printing
• Painters
• Machinists
• Hairdressers
• Truck drivers.

How to prevent bladder cancer

Although there is not a guaranteed method to prevent bladder cancer, people can surely reduce the risk of getting it. For example, smokers are much more likely to develop bladder cancer than nonsmokers.

Also, those exposed to industrial or environmental carcinogens such as azo dyes and arylamines are at a higher risk. People working with dyes, rubbers, textiles, paints, pesticides, insecticides, leathers, and chemicals are more vulnerable.

Avoiding any potential carcinogens by inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact would certainly reduce risk not only of bladder cancer but also of other cancers.

Nutritional factors have been widely investigated in cancer prevention.

A few of those factors seem effective.

Vitamins: Vitamin A, also known as retinol, can be derived from carotenoids, which are rich in carrots. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has also been reported to have a potential chemo preventive effect for bladder cancer. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has also been reported to reduce bladder cancer risk, but high concentration should be avoided because high concentration of Vitamin C was reported to have an adverse effect. Vitamin E was also reported to decrease bladder cancer mortality in patients who took vitamin E supplements, but overdose can be fatal.

Fat consumption: A high intake of saturated fat was associated with a greater than two-fold increase in the incidence of bladder cancer.

Ingestion of fruits and vegetables: A high intake of cruciferous vegetables, particularly green and yellow vegetables, has been shown to be linked with a reduced risk of bladder cancer, especially in nonsmokers

Soy products: The isoflavone gentistein, a natural product, has been reported to have anti-urothelial cancer activity. Increased intake of soy products has been linked to reduced risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

Green tea: Epidemiological evidence pointed out that there is an inverse relationship between green tea consumption and bladder cancer risk