Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer begins when cells in the urinary bladder grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. The most common type is urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma. This type starts in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder. Other less common types include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell carcinoma.

One of the most common and early signs of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, also called hematuria. Other symptoms include

• Blood in the urine
• Burning sensations while urinating
• Feelings of having to urinate but not being able to
• Frequent urination
• Lower back pain
• Painful urination
• Pelvic pain

Smoking increases your risk of bladder cancer. The following factors also increase your risk of developing bladder cancer:

• exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
• chronic bladder infections
• low fluid consumption
• being white
• eating a high-fat diet
• having a family history of bladder cancer
• having previous radiation therapy to treat cancer in the pelvic area

Tests to diagnose bladder cancer may include:

• Internal examination: your doctor may do an internal examination by inserting a gloved finger into the vagina or rectum to feel for anything unusual.
• Blood tests: Blood tests can be taken to check your general health.
• Urine test: Urine tests (urinalysis) check for blood or bacteria. If there is blood in your urine you may be asked to give more tests over several days (urine cytology) – these will be sent to a laboratory to check for cancer cells.
• CT Scan: CT scans produce three-dimensional pictures of several organs at the same including the bladder which can help in the detection of any tumors.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound scans produce pictures of the organ, and can show the presence and size of cancer.
• Cystoscopy and biopsy: A cystoscopy is a common procedure used to diagnose bladder cancer by examining the inside of the bladder using a thin tube with a light and camera on the end called a cystoscope. If abnormal tissues are detected, a tissue sample (biopsy) will then be taken.

Staging is crucial to determining the extent of cancer and planning the appropriate treatment. Bladder cancer stages range from Stage 0 (non-invasive cancer) to Stage IV (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body).

• Stage 0: Cancer is found only on the bladder’s inner lining surface.
• Stage I: Cancer has grown into the bladder’s connective tissue layer but not the muscle layer.
• Stage II: Cancer has spread into the muscle layer of the bladder wall.
• Stage III: Cancer has grown through the bladder wall into surrounding tissue.
• Stage IV: Cancer has spread to nearby organs, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body.

Treatment options for bladder cancer depend on a number of factors, including the type of cancer, grade of cancer, and stage of cancer, which are taken into consideration along with your overall health and your treatment preferences.

• Surgery: Removal of the part or whole of the bladder. If the whole bladder is removed then urine is diverted through a part of the intestine onto the abdominal wall (Urinary stoma) rarely a new bladder is created with the help of a small intestine & then out through the normal passage.
• Chemotherapy in the bladder (intravesical chemotherapy): To treat cancers that are confined to the lining of the bladder but have a high risk of recurrence or progression to a higher stage
• Chemotherapy for the whole body (systemic chemotherapy): To increase the chance for a cure in a person having surgery to remove the bladder, or as a primary treatment when surgery isn’t an option
• Radiation therapy: To destroy cancer cells, often as a primary treatment when surgery isn’t an option or isn’t desired
• Immunotherapy: Trigger the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells, either in the bladder or throughout the body
• Targeted therapy: To treat advanced cancer when other treatments haven’t helped

• The cost of bladder cancer treatment in Pune can vary widely depending on the type of treatment required, the stage of cancer, the hospital, and the specific procedures involved. Generally, costs can range from INR 1,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 or more. It’s best to consult directly with hospitals or clinics in Pune to get an accurate estimate based on the specific case and treatment plan.

Dr. Manoj Dongare at Dr. D. Y. Patil Hospital and Research Center provides the best treatment for various bladder cancer diseases in Pimpri Chinchwad Pune. For more information about our comprehensive treatment options, or to request an appointment with the best Surgical Oncologist in Pune call 09881379573 or Click on Book Appointment for online booking with your near hospital.