Bladder Cancer Health Article

Definition

Bladder cancer is a disease in which the cells lining the urinary bladder lose the ability to regulate their

growth and start dividing uncontrollably. This abnormal growth results in a mass of cells that form a tumor.

Description

Bladder cancer attacks the urinary bladder, a hollow, muscular organ that stores the urine received from the kidneys until it is excreted out of the body. Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, and the development of new cases is on the rise. The disease is almost three times more common among men than women, and the risk of the disease increases with age. Most cases of bladder cancer are found in people in their 60s.

Causes & symptoms

Smoking is considered one of the greatest risk factors for bladder cancer. The risk is probably due to the fact that cancer-promoting substances found in tobacco tend to collect in the urine, and then become concentrated in the bladder while awaiting excretion. Other chemicals, including aniline dyes, beta-napthylamine, benzadine salts, and mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons also are believed to be cancer-causing agents. These chemicals are widely used in the rubber, leather, textile, chemical, plastics, petroleum, wood, and paint industries. It may take up to 50 years after the original chemical exposure for bladder cancer to develop. In 2003, studies showed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a treatment used by many postmenopausal women, significantly increased the risk of bladder and other cancers.

Frequent urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, and other conditions that cause long-term irritation to the bladder may increase the risk of bladder cancer. If there is a past history of tumors in the bladder, there is a strong possibility of their recurrence.

One of the first warning signals of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Sometimes, there is enough blood to change the color of the urine to a yellow-red or a dark red. However, during the early stages of bladder cancer there are often no observable symptoms of the disease. A change in bladder habits such as painful urination, increased frequency of urination and increased urgency in the need to urinate, are all symptoms of bladder cancer; but they are also common symptoms of less serious diseases of the urinary tract and prostate glands.

Diagnosis

There are several tests to find out whether bladder cancer is present. As a first step, a complete medical history will be taken to check for any risk factors. A thorough physical examination will be conducted to assess all the signs and symptoms. Laboratory testing of a urine sample helps rule out the presence of a bacterial infection.

More in-depth tests are used to make a definite diagnosis. The intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an x-ray examination that is performed after a dye is injected into the blood stream. It clearly outlines the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra to detect abnormalities in the lining of these organs.

In a procedure known as a cystoscopy, a thin hollow lighted tube is introduced into the bladder. If any suspicious looking masses are seen, a small piece of the tissue can be removed using a pair of biopsy forceps. The tissue is then examined microscopically to verify if cancer is present. Imaging tests such as chest x rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done to determine if the cancer has spread to other organs.

Treatment

Most alternative treatments for cancer should be used in addition to allopathic treatment. A well-developed treatment plan for cancer should be discussed with an oncologist or other physician.

Studies indicate that garlic may be used to stop the spread of bladder cancer. It also can help reduce the body wasting and fatigue that may accompany cancer, as well as reducing the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. The equivalent of one to two cloves per day is recommended.

European mistletoe (Viscum album L.), is recommended to stimulate the immune system and to kill cancer cells. It also has been reported to reduce tumor size. The most widely available mistletoe extract is sold under the name of Iscador. Iscador is available in Europe only, especially Switzerland. A three-month supply can be purchased and brought back to the United States. Mistletoe often is taken in injectable form and should be administered under a physician's supervision.

High doses of multivitamins have been reported to be useful in decreasing the possibility of the recurrence of bladder cancer. Treatment should be monitored by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Other complementary and alternative treatments include guided imagery, local and general hyperthermia, and Chinese herbs. These herbs have been shown effective in controlled trials, particularly as a complement to chemotherapy.