Bladder Cancer Treatment

Cancer has become more common today than it was a few decades ago. This is because people have gained a lot of knowledge about cancer and the reasons for developing cancer. Though the real reason for developing cancer is yet to be known the risk factors that lead to the development of cancer has created a lot of awareness amongst people so cancer has become a more talked about topic. With this a number of myths have also come up causing more damage to the body than the actual development of cancer.

These myths have sustained people to get themselves treated thus increasing the risk factor of their being cured of this disease. Certain cancers are not easily detected and thus the mortality rate is greatly decreased and one such is the cancer of the bladder.

This is one type of cancer which affects both the gender who has already crossed their fifties. Though there is a cure when detected at an early stage i.e. when it is found on the surface area of the bladder but if detected later it becomes difficult to treat as it spreads deeper inside the bladder and covers itself around the walls of the bladder which can be highly dangerous.

Cancer of the bladder is more common in people who are heavy smokers or those who have worked in plastic manufacturing units are in constant contact with PCB and even people who work in commercial dye factories. Bladder cancer is found in the tube that connects the bladder and the kidney.

How does one diagnose cancer of the bladder?

When the WBC count increases in the urine analysis even when there is no proven evidence of any bacterial infection the inside of the bladder is viewed through a cyst scope. This procedure is done under the guidance of an Urologist under general anesthesia. Biopsy is performed to rule out any chances of cancer.

What are the modes of treatment for detected bladder cancer?

Here chemotherapy is recommended if the cancer is superficial and chemotherapy agents are instilled into the body using a catheter. The chemicals that are used for chemotherapy are BCG, Adriamycin etc, two or more types of chemotherapy treatment is administered this is also known as combination therapy. Chemotherapy is administered with the help of the urologist.

Invasive bladder cancer can be treated by surgical methods or in other words through radical cystectomy. Here again this procedure is done under the guidance of the urologist. Some patients require both chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy. In case there is a spread of bladder cancer to the outer frame of the bladder than the mode of treatment varies here you may or may not require radiation therapy after the administration of chemotherapy mode of treatment.

The most important part of the entire treatment cycle here or for that matter any cancer is to follow a nutritious diet. A nutritious diet helps the immune system of the body by helping it fight against any diseases.