The growth of cancerous
tissue within – or on the surface of the bladder – is known as bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer does not target one gender more than another, and it can strike
at any age. Obviously, the presence of prostate, cervical or urethral cancer
will increase a patient’s likelihood for developing bladder cancer.
Painful urination and the
presence of blood in the urine are both signs that a person needs to be examined
right away to determine if the cause of these symptoms could be cancer. There
are three specific cancers that attack the bladder.
The first is Transitional
cell carcinoma. This is how most bladder cancer begins. The inner lining of the
bladder is made up of transitional cells. The reason that the cells are called
transitional is that they can change size easily to accommodate the stretching
of the bladder.
Next, Squamous cell
carcinoma. When a person experiences a long bladder infection, this type of
cancer can sometimes result.
The Adenocarcinoma variety
is the most intense type of bladder cancer. This type of cancer tends to affect
all layers of tissue in the bladder and to spread easily and quickly to other
parts of the body. Frequently, the surrounding lymph nodes are affected in
Adenocarcinoma.
Treatment is case specific,
although surgery is best avoided for most patients. Chemotherapy and radiation
are the more effective types of treatment frequently recommended by oncologists
and urologists who specialize in the treatment of bladder cancer patients.
Written by
Joe Lovrek
Author: Joe Lovrek
Article Source: EzineArticles.com