What are Bladder Tumors?
Bladder tumors are one of the most common types of tumors affecting older adults worldwide, from which bladder cancer is the most common one and occurs more frequently in men than in women. These types of tumors develop from the cells that line the surface of the internal bladder wall and grows into the muscular and the external bladder wall.
Bladder Tumors Signs and Symptoms
Unfortunately, most cases of bladder tumors, including bladder cancer, cause no symptoms at all and when they do, the disease has often reached an advanced stage. Even though the signs and symptoms of bladder tumors might be very unspecific, the following are the most commonly seen:
- Hematuria – the presence of blood in your urine
- Abdominal pain
- Burn and pain sensation during urination
Bladder Tumors Common Causes
Bladder tumors occur after some cells in the bladder surface begin to grow and reproduce abnormally, causing the formation of an abnormal mass or tumor.
There are some well-known risk factors related to the development of bladder tumors, including:
- Smoking
- Exposure to certain chemicals like arsenic and chemicals used in the manufacture of dyes, rubber, leather, textiles and paint products
- Local radiation exposure
- Some parasitic infestation such as Schistosoma mansoni.
- Chronic irritation of the lining of the bladder
Bladder Tumors Diagnosis
Depending on your signs and symptoms and risk factors, your doctor might require the following confirmation test to get to the proper diagnosis:
- Urine cytology. A sample of your urine is analyzed to check for abnormal cells.
- Cystoscopy. A narrow and small tube with a camera called a cystoscope is inserted into your urethra, in order to allow your doctor to see inside your bladder and look for abnormalities.
- Biopsy. During the cystoscopy, your doctor might take a small amount of tissue for testing and look after abnormal cells.
Bladder Tumors Treatment
The opportune type of treatment for bladder tumors depends on the type of tumor, the grade and stage of the tumor and your health condition.
Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors (TURBT)
TURBT represents one of the principal techniques used for bladder tumors, either for diagnosis as for treatment. This technique is used to remove bladder tumors that are confined to the inner layers of the bladder in the early stages of the disease.
TURBT is performed under regional anesthesia and as a non-invasive procedure, you won’t get any incisions on your skin. During the procedure, your doctor might introduce a small wire loop through a cystoscope into your bladder, which will burn away the tumor cells by using an electric impulse. Usually, the procedures take about 1-2 hours and you will be closely monitored all the time.
After TURBT, having some discomfort and blood while urinating is normal. Coming back to your regular activities will be possible after 1-2 weeks.
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