Bladder cancer: essential information
Bladder cancer is one of the most frequent neoplasms of the urinary tract. It mostly affects men over 60 years of age, but can also occur in women and younger people. Early diagnosis is essential to improve prognosis. In this article we answer the most common questions on the topic.
What is bladder cancer?
It is a form of cancer that develops from the inner mucosa of the bladder, often in the form of urothelial carcinoma. There are superficial forms and more invasive forms that can extend to the muscle wall and beyond.
Who is most at risk?
Major risk factors include:
- Smoking: major preventable cause. Metabolites of smoking increase the risk of bladder cancer.
- Exposure to carcinogens: such as chemicals, pollution or certain drugs.
- Male sex: Men are more at risk, partly due to hormonal and environmental factors.
- Familiarity: Family history may indicate a genetic predisposition to cancer.
- Oncological history: especially urinary tract neoplasms.
- Food with harmful additives: preservatives such as nitrates, nitrites, dyes and artificial sweeteners have recognized carcinogenic effects.
- Age over 45: 95% of urothelial cancers develop after this age.
- Smoking: major preventable cause. Metabolites of smoking increase the risk of bladder cancer.
- Exposure to carcinogens: such as chemicals, pollution or certain drugs.
- Male sex: Men are more at risk, partly due to hormonal and environmental factors.
- Familiarity: Family history may indicate a genetic predisposition to cancer.
- Oncological history: especially urinary tract neoplasms.
- Food with harmful additives: preservatives such as nitrates, nitrites, dyes and artificial sweeteners have recognized carcinogenic effects.
- Age over 45: 95% of urothelial cancers develop after this age.
What are the most common symptoms?
The most frequent symptom is the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria), although it may not be accompanied by pain. Other signs include:
- Frequent need to urinate.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Pain in the flank or lower abdomen (late stage).
- Frequent need to urinate.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Pain in the flank or lower abdomen (late stage).
How is it diagnosed?
In addition to urine tests, the following are used:
- Cystoscopy (visual examination of the bladder).
- Urinary cytology.
- Ultrasound and CT scans.
- Innovative molecular tests such as FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization), which detects genetic alterations in urinary cells.
- Cystoscopy (visual examination of the bladder).
- Urinary cytology.
- Ultrasound and CT scans.
- Innovative molecular tests such as FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization), which detects genetic alterations in urinary cells.
What treatments exist?
It depends on the stage and grade of the tumor. The main options are:
- Endoscopic excision, in superficial tumors.
- Intravesical instillations with immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs.
- Cystectomy (bladder removal), in advanced cases.
- Chemotherapy and systemic immunotherapy for invasive or metastatic forms.
- Endoscopic excision, in superficial tumors.
- Intravesical instillations with immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs.
- Cystectomy (bladder removal), in advanced cases.
- Chemotherapy and systemic immunotherapy for invasive or metastatic forms.
How important is follow-up?
Essential. Bladder cancer tends to recur.
After treatment, the patient is followed up with periodic checkups (usually every 3-6 months), with examinations such as:
- Cystoscopy.
- Ultrasound scans.
- Cytology or molecular tests.
Knowing the symptoms, getting regular checkups and adopting healthy lifestyles are essential steps for prevention and early detection of bladder cancer. Today, thanks to innovative technologies such as FISH, it is possible to intervene early and with greater accuracy.
After treatment, the patient is followed up with periodic checkups (usually every 3-6 months), with examinations such as:
- Cystoscopy.
- Ultrasound scans.
- Cytology or molecular tests.
Knowing the symptoms, getting regular checkups and adopting healthy lifestyles are essential steps for prevention and early detection of bladder cancer. Today, thanks to innovative technologies such as FISH, it is possible to intervene early and with greater accuracy.
