Bladder Cancer: The Symptoms, Signs and Care among Elders

Bladder cancer occurs when the bladder cells start to grow out of control forming tumors. The cancerous cells may further spread to other parts of the body.

The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown (like many other cancers), and its 4-fold more prevalent in men than it is in women.

Bladder Cancer Cases are on the Rise

According to Globo Can, a world cancer coalition and cancer research facility, bladder cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.

As per the research paper published on 14th December 2020 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), bladder cancer has risen to 19.3 million cases and 10 million cancer deaths in 2020.

The Month of May - Bladder Cancer Awareness Month

Increased awareness, educating the public on the symptoms, and timely diagnosis and prognosis can significantly enhance survival rates in bladder cancer.

Reflecting this awareness objective, the month of May is observed as Bladder Cancer Awareness month.

Continue reading the blog to know everything you should know about bladder cancer including the types, diagnosis, treatment and the FAQs.

The Bladder: An Overview

Bladder, the hollow organ, is a flexible container that stores urine and contracts to send it out of the body. As part of the urinary system, the bladder receives urine from the kidneys through the tubes called ureters.

Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

People, especially elders with bladder cancer show the following symptoms. However, some of them are identical with the other medical conditions.

• Blood in the urine
• Frequent urge for urination
• Urinary incontinence
• Pain and a burning sensation during urination
• Inability to empty the bladder

Types of Bladder Cancers

Characterized by how far the cells can spread, bladder cancers are majorly two types. Invasive and non-invasive.

• Invasive: This type is harder to treat and more likely to spread into deeper layers of bladder and to the other organs nearby.
• Non-invasive: As the name implies, the cancerous cells remain in the surface layers of the bladder and they could not grow into the deeper layers.

The other type includes non-muscle invasive cancer. Also known as superficial bladder cancer, these cells are not grown into the main muscle layer of the bladder but show invasive characteristics.

Bladder cancers are categorized into the following based on the origin of the first cancerous cell.

Urothelial Carcinoma

Also known as transitional cell carcinoma, it is the most common type of bladder cancer observed in most patients. This type of cancer first starts in the urothelial cells inside the bladder lining.

The lining of urothelial cells extend through the urinary tract all the way till the kidneys. People who have been diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma tend to develop tumors across all these parts.

Here are a few other bladder cancer types observed in most people. However, these are less common compared to the urothelial carcinoma.

1. Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma has a lot in common with the gland-forming cells that are observed in colon cancer. This type of cancer is only about 1% common and invasive.
2. Sarcoma: It is a rare type of cancer and occurs less than 1%. It starts in the muscle cells of the bladder.
3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Most of the squamous cell carcinomas are invasive and look like the flat skin cells. These are only about 1-2% common compared to the other types of bladder cancers.

Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma treatment approach is similar to that of transitional cell carcinoma during the early stages. However, different drugs are used if chemotherapy is needed.

Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment for Bladder Cancer

Diagnosing the bladder cancer in the early stages when the cells are just starting to outgrow, allows more treatment options and approaches.

Your healthcare team that involves urologists and oncology specialists categorize the stages to make better treatment decisions.

Prevention of Bladder Cancer

As stated earlier, the causes of bladder cancer are still unclear which makes the prevention part a bit ambiguous. However, here are a few possible trigger factors that you should avoid.

• Quit smoking
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Eat a lot of vegetables and fruits
• Take measures to maintain healthy kidneys
• Avoid exposure to carcinogenic chemicals

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is at risk of bladder cancer?

People who smoke, and secondhand smokers, and people who were exposed to carcinogenic chemicals and agents.

What are the treatment options for bladder cancer?

There are various treatment options based on the stage of the cancer. The options include transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT), intravesical therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and bladder preservation therapy.

What happens after bladder cancer?

Scheduled appointments, medications, and tests should be done at regular intervals as prescribed by your consultant. It is extremely important to keep yourself motivated and positive to see better results in the treatment process.

What are the care options for elders with bladder cancer?

Seniors can get great help from the care providers like assisted living facilities, and nursing care facilities that offer short-term and long-term senior care.