Cancer of the Bladder
What is bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer involves any one of the following cell carcinomas in the lining of the bladder: transitional, squamous, or adenocarcinoma. This is the most common form of cancer associated with the urinary tract.
We, in the medical community, believe that this form of cancer takes a while to express itself as the cells in the bladder slowly change in structure and function.
What are the causes and risk factors of bladder cancer?
- Cigarette smoking
- Exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace
- Family history of bladder cancer
- Age
- Gender
- Ethnicity
What is the survival rate of bladder cancer?
According to estimates from the American Cancer Society, the numbers related to bladder cancer cases in America, in 2018, will be:
- About 81,190 new diagnosed cases of bladder cancer, of which 76% will be diagnosed in men and 24% of them in women;
- About 17,240 deaths from bladder cancer, of which 72% will occur in men and 28% in women.
Bladder cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancers in men, while women tend to have a much rarer incidence of developing the disease. Statistics indicate that 1 in 27 men will develop this type of cancer during their life, while only 1 in 89 women will be diagnosed with it. In terms of age of diagnosis, the average is 73. 9 out of 10 people that are diagnosed are over the age of 55.
White people are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer that African American or Hispanic Americans.
The overall survival rate for bladder cancer (considering all stages of the disease) is:
- The 5-year relative survival rate is about 77% – for people diagnosed and treated over 5 years ago;
- The 10-year relative survival rate is about 70% – for people diagnosed and treated over 10 years ago;
- The 15-year relative survival rate is about 65% – for people diagnosed and treated over 15 years ago.
Taking the staging of the disease into consideration, the survival rates are encouraging for cancers that are discovered as early as possible. Data collected by the National Cancer Institute from patients diagnosed with bladder cancer between 1988 and 2001 reveal the following:
- People with stage 0 bladder cancer have a 5 year survival rate of about 98%;
- People with stage I bladder cancer have a 5 year survival rate of about 88%;
- People with stage II bladder cancer have a 5 year survival rate of about 63%;
- People with stage III bladder cancer have a 5 year survival rate of about 46%;
- People with stage IV bladder cancer that has spread to other parts of the body have the lowest survival rate, of 15%. There are, still, treatment options available for people with this type of cancer.
Please take into consideration that these survival rates are just statistics and every person’s chances will depend on a numerous of factors. It is always better to discuss your options with your doctor.
What are the symptoms associated with bladder cancer?
Common symptoms include:
- Blood in the urine – being aware of the color of your urine, however strange this might sound like, is recommended for a lot of reasons, including the possible detection of bladder cancer. Changes in the color can occur for a number of other reasons, such as infections, kidney stones, benign tumors or other benign kidney diseases. Bladder cancer can also be a cause for this which is why you need to have a urine analysis if your urine becomes more orange, pink or, less often, dark red. Often times, the bleeding does not happen every day, but it usually reappears if it’s a serious condition. In the early stages of the disease, the blood in the urine is rarely accompanied by other symptoms or pains;
- Pain in the pelvic region – this can occur while urinating and can be also accompanied by a burning sensation;
- Back pressure – especially on the side of the kidneys;
- Persistent fever;
- Problems with urination – frequent urination, feeling the need to urinate during the night, the desire to urinate, but inability to empty the bladder.
How do you diagnose bladder cancer?
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should come to our office for a medical examination and evaluation. A cystoscopy—the use of a thin, lighted tube that allows us to see the bladder directly—is a useful diagnostic tool for determining problems with your bladder. In order to get a definitive diagnosis of bladder cancer, we need to take a biopsy of the bladder tissue and examine the cells under a microscope.
Does the cystoscopy hurt?
The cystoscopy doesn’t usually hurt, but you might feel a slight urination sensation. If the sensation doesn’t disappear shortly, you can tell your doctor or your nurse. The anesthesia is local so you will likely be awake. However, you will be given a sedative, so be sure you have someone to take you home after the procedure. People usually fear this procedure, but it’s a standard one, with minimal risks.
Can bladder cancer be treated?
If cancer is diagnosed, then early-stage tumors may be removed surgically through the cystoscope. If we believe that the cancer is advanced, then we need to remove the entire bladder. Radiation and chemotherapy may also be used after surgery for medical management reasons. For more challenging operations, we prefer to use the da Vinci Robotic System, which is the latest in minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
Kidney Cancer
How does kidney cancer appear?
Kidney cancer is the growth of malignant cells in one or both kidneys. The two kidneys, located deep in the body at about the middle of the back, control the fluid balance in the body and filter wastes out of the blood and into the urine. The renal pelvis is the site in the kidney where the urine pools. From there, it moves through a narrow conduit and empties into the bladder. There are three main types of kidney cancer: renal cell carcinoma (RCC), transitional cell cancer (TCC), and Wilms’ tumor—which affects young children. Renal cell carcinoma accounts for 85% of all kidney cancers. Remember, only one kidney is necessary to support life. So if a kidney is cancerous and has to be removed, the other kidney takes over the function of the missing one.
What are the risk factors for kidney cancer?
Like most cancers, there is no single cause for the growth of malignant cells in the kidney. Nevertheless, there are several risk factors:
- Cigarette smoking
- Hereditary considerations
- General health problems
What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?
Symptoms include:
- blood in the urine,
- abdominal pain,
- fever,
- loss of appetite,
- weight loss,
- a general feeling of poor health.
How do you detect kidney cancer?
Diagnosis begins with detailed family history and a complete physical examination. Part of the exam has us press on your abdomen to feel for any unusual solid masses. Urine is tested for blood and the presence of cancer cells. An X-ray of the kidney is taken, as well as ultrasound, CT scans, and an MRI. The point of these imaging tests is to determine the nature of the abnormality of the kidney and to see the extent of cancer. Chest X-rays and bone scans may be ordered to check for distant cancer sites.
Can kidney cancer be treated?
The most effective form of treatment is the surgical removal of the kidney. Radiation and chemotherapy may be used to destroy cancer cells at surgical margins. Immunotherapy may also be used for medical management.
Dr. David Samadi is a well-experienced surgeon trained in robotic surgery
Dr. Samadi is one of the very few urologic surgeons in the United States trained in oncology, open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery. He is also the first surgeon in the United States to successfully perform a robotic surgery redo. To date, Dr. Samadi has performed over 7,000+ prostate surgeries. This is more than any other prostate cancer surgeons in all of New York.
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