Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the fourth common cancer in men, following prostate, lung, and colon cancers. Bladder tumors are three times more common in men than in women. Although they can occur at any age, bladder cancer is primarily a disease of middle and older age. Among urologic cancers, it may be the most challenging, as it tends to progress rapidly.

What is Bladder Cancer?

The bladder is an organ located in the lower abdomen that collects and stores urine. Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to reach the bladder. From there, it exits the body through the urethra. Bladder cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the bladder. The bladder has three layers: the inner, middle, and outer layers. The inner layer is lined with epithelial cells, where bladder tumor most often develops.

Signs of Bladder Cancer

Blood in the urine is one of the most significant signs of bladder cancer. Patients may also notice rust-colored or cherry-colored urine. However, these symptoms can also indicate other conditions. Only about 10 percent of patients with blood in the urine are found to have a bladder tumor. Other bladder cancer symptoms that may occur include:

A sudden, strong urge to urinate
Frequent urination
Difficulty urinating
Pain during urination
An inability to urinate despite feeling the urge

What Causes Bladder Cancer?

Bladder tumor is directly associated with smoking, and nearly half of cases could be prevented. Exposure to second-hand smoke may also increase the risk of bladder tumor. Other risk factors include exposure to radiation/chemicals, frequent bladder infections, and long-term catheter use.

What is Your First symptom of Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer symptoms often include bleeding or discomfort during urination. The first and most common symptom patients notice is blood in the urine, which can range in color from bright red to a darker, rusty shade.

Types of Bladder Cancer

There are different types of bladder cancer. By far the most common type is urothelial carcinoma, which originates in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder. The second most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for about 3% to 5% of bladder tumors. Adenocarcinoma is the third common type, comprising only about 1% to 2% of bladder tumors.

Treatment of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer treatment depends on the stage of cancer. If the tumor is superficial which means non-muscle invasive, a transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) may offer, a surgical procedure that involves cutting away a section of the cancerous part of the bladder. In about 85% of cases, the cancer is confined to the bladder only. Nevertheless, if the tumor involves the bladder’s muscular layers, the most optimal treatment is removing the bladder as a whole. It is called a radical cystectomy. After removing the cancerous bladder, it is necessary to find another way to store urine and pass it out of the body. There are two options for this; urostomy and neobladder.

In Urostomy, urine is collected in a special bag attached to the outside of the abdomen.
Neobladder is the construction of a new bladder using tissues from the patient’s bowel, resulting in normal urination for patients. There are advantages of this procedure to a patient when it is compared to urostomy:
Eliminates the need for a urostomy bag
Protects patients’ ability to urinate normally
Allows patients to have a decent social life

In Acıbadem, as a first option, we apply neobladder reconstruction for every suitable patient.

If bladder tumor has spread to other parts of the body, it might be considered other treatment modalities chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.

When should I see a Healthcare Provider?

If you notice blood in your urine, it’s urgent to see an urologist. You should be examined by an experienced urologist, have your blood tested, and undergo bladder screening with a cystoscope and/or imaging, such as tomography. Blood in the urine may indicate advanced disease, so it’s advised to consult an urologist if you have any urinary issues. The best advice is to see your doctor annually, especially after age 50, to help ensure good health.

Bladder Cancer Treatment in Turkey

All treatment modalities for bladder tumors are available at Acıbadem, Turkey. If the tumor is superficial, TURBT procedure is performed without the need for an incision. However, if the tumor is more advanced and involves the muscular layers, more complex surgery is required. In this case, minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic surgery or laparoscopic surgery, are used to remove the entire bladder and create a new one. In about 10 percent of cases, tumors spread to other organs and tissues. In these cases, systemic therapies may be used to treat patients. Bladder cancer treatment in Turkey at Acıbadem has been performed for over 20 years with high success rates.

Why Acıbadem for Treatment?

Acıbadem Urology Department has in-depth knowledge, experience, and advanced health technologies for treating urologic cancers. Acıbadem Urology Team has pioneered the adoption of minimally invasive treatments for bladder cancer. In Türkiye, the first laparoscopic urological cancer surgeries were performed by, who are today currently active urologists at Acıbadem. Moreover, the first robotic urology surgeries in the country were performed by the Acıbadem urologists in 2006. Additionally, Acıbadem not only offers surgical treatment options to bladder cancer patients. It provides systemic therapies in cancer treatment, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy. Moreover, these modalities could be combined to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient.

At Acıbadem, we embrace a multidisciplinary approach and work as a team. We provide each patient with the most up-to-date, comprehensive care tailored to their unique condition. Bladder cancer treatment is planned, carried out, and supervised by a multidisciplinary team which consists of urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and radiologists, specializing treatment of urologic cancers. Acıbadem Urologic Oncology team has extensive experience in the treatment of bladder cancer.

FAQ

1. How Common is Bladder Cancer?

In men, bladder tumor is the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States and the fifth most common in Europe. Bladder tumors are also three times more common in men than in women.

2. How does this Condition Affect My Body?

As the cancer grows, patients may begin to experience urinary problems, with the most significant symptoms of bladder cancer being blood in the urine.

3. What is Bladder Cancer Survival Rate

According to data from the USA National Cancer Institute, the overall bladder cancer survival rate is 78.4%. However, exact rates vary depending on the stage of the disease:

When the tumor is confined to the inner lining of the bladder, the survival rate is up to 97%.
If the tumor has invaded the muscular layers of the bladder but has not spread beyond it, the survival rate is 71%.
When the tumor has spread to nearby areas, such as the lymph nodes, the survival rate decreases to 39%.
If the tumor has spread to distant parts of the body, the bladder cancer survival rate decreases to 8%.

4. What is Stage 4 Bladder Cancer?

Stage 4 bladder cancer means the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. In these cases, surgery is generally not a treatment option. Systemic treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, may be used to control the cancer and relieve symptoms of bladder cancer.

5. What are the 5 Warning Signs of Bladder Cancer?

One of the most notable signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Other symptoms of bladder cancer may include a sudden urge to urinate, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and pain during urination.