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Bladder Tumours - Bladder Tumours symptom, treatment, causes

What is Bladder Tumours ?

Bladder Tumours can be described as the abnormal tissue growths arising from the lining of the bladder. The most common bladder tumours are papillomas (anemone-like growths), which are generally benign. Because the fronds of bladder papillomas tend to break and bleed easily, bright red blood in the urine is usually an early sign. Occasionally a papilloma can obstruct outflow from the bladder, leading to URINARY RETENTION.

Bladder cancer, a malignant tumour, is more common in men than in women, and is usually diagnosed after the age of 60. The risk is higher in cigarette smokers, people exposed to certain chemicals in the rubber and dye industries, and in Africa and Asia where SCHISTOSOMIASIS (fluke infestation) is prevalent. The cancer may protrude into the bladder cavity or spread through the bladder wall and invade nearby pelvic and abdominal organs. The most common early symptoms are blood in the urine and difficult, painful and frequent urination. Abdominal pain occurs if nearby organs are invaded or if incomplete emptying of the bladder leads to CYSTITIS (bladder inflammation).

A bladder tumor is the excess growth of cells that line the inside of the bladder. A tumor may be either cancerous or noncancerous. A noncancerous tumor is usually a small, wartlike growth that does not spread. The bladder is part of the urinary tract. It is at the bottom of the abdomen. It fills with urine and we pass urine out from time to time through a tube called the urethra. In the UK, bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the ninth most common cancer in women. Around 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. Many people develop bladder cancer for no apparent reason. However, certain risk factors increase the chance that bladder cancer may develop. The tumour normally originates from cells lining the bladder and produces a growth that projects into the cavity of the bladder. Bladder cancer is twice as common in males as it is in females.

Bladder tumors are the second most frequent tumor of the reproductive and urinary tracts, after prostate tumor. The bladder is lined with a membrane (urothelium) that stops urine being absorbed back into the body. The cells of this membrane are called transitional cells or urothelial cells. Cancerous tumours can grow through your bladder and spread to other parts of your body (through the bloodstream or the lymph system) where they may grow and form secondary tumours. This spread of cancer is called a metastasis. Bladder cancer is often described as a polyclonal field change defect with frequent recurrences due to a heightened potential for malignant transformation. The most common sign of bladder tumours is the passing of blood in the urine (haematuria). The amount of blood lost may be enough to colour the urine red, or it may only be evident with a special dipstick test. Cigarette smoking predisposes people to bladder cancer. Smoking cigarettes increases a persons risk of developing bladder cancer approximately 5 fold. Bladder tumors almost always arise from the shiny bladder lining. The treatment of bladder cancer depends on how deep the tumor invades into the bladder wall.

Causes of Bladder tumours

The common causes and risk factor's of Bladder tumours include the following:

• A chronic infection with the tropical disease bilharzia increases the risk of bladder cancer.
• Cigarette smoking predisposes people to bladder cancer.
• Environmental factors including certain chemicals once used in the rubber, paint, dye, printing and textile industries can also increase the risk of developing bladder cancer.
• Treatment with chemotherapy such as cyclophosphamide.
• Chronic urinary tract infections.
• Repeated bouts of other types of bladder infection may also slightly increase the risk.

Symptoms of Bladder tumours

Some sign and symptoms related to Bladder tumours are as follows:

• A burning feeling when passing urine
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Appetite loss.
• A need to pass urine frequently.
• Weight loss.
• Urgency to urinate.
• Persistent fever.

Treatment of Bladder tumours

Here is list of the methods to treat Bladder tumours:

• Large tumors that have invaded the muscle of the bladder wall must be surgically removed through the abdomen. Sometimes to remove the tumor, all or part of the bladder is removed. This type of surgery is called a cystectomy.
• Anti-cancer drugs such as mitomycin C, or BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) are often used by installation into the bladder if it is confirmed that there is an increased risk of new cancers.
• Other treatments for cancerous tumors include radiation therapy to help destroy cancer cells that have spread outside of the bladder.
• Use protective measures when you are likely to be exposed to industrial chemicals.

Bladder tumours are diagnosed by cystoscopy (internal examination of the bladder via a viewing instrument), and by biopsy. Papillomas and early cancers can usually be removed, but tend- to recur.

Treatment of more advanced cancer is usually by radiotherapy, sometimes combined with anticancer drugs.