Bladder Cancer Program

In 2004, over 60,000 new cases of bladder cancer were detected in the United States. Early detection makes this generally slow-growing cancer easiest to treat successfully:

What are the warning signs and symptoms?

The first warning sign of bladder cancer is usually blood in the urine. However, blood in the urine does not you have bladder cancer. The amount of blood in the urine is determined by color, from faintly rusty to bright red. Other warning signs are a burning sensation when urinating and the need to urinate frequently. Yet, just as the presence of blood in the urine does not necessarily indicate bladder cancer, neither do the other warning signs. These symptoms may also be caused by urinary tract infections, bladder stones or other problems. So it’s important to see one of our doctors if you are symptomatic.

What causes bladder cancer?

Doctors and researchers are still not sure why some people get bladder cancer. They do know that there are definite risk factors:

• Smoking: Cigarette smokers are up to three times more likely to get bladder cancer than nonsmokers. Quitting smoking lowers the risk of bladder cancer and many other cancers.
• Chemicals and dyes: Workers who are exposed to certain cancer-causing substances are more likely to get bladder cancer. People who work with chemicals, rubber, textiles and leather are at greater risk. So are hairdressers, machinists, printers, painters and truck drivers.

How is bladder cancer diagnosed and treated?

We take a complete medical history and perform a thorough physical exam. Sometimes, we can locate a large tumor during a rectal or vaginal exam. We examine your blood sample for signs of cancer cells or infection. We may also do an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) or a cystoscopy. After a diagnosis of bladder cancer, we will stage the tumor. Staging may involve a CT scan, ultrasound or MRI. Once we have an accurate picture of the cancer, we may perform:

• Transurethral resection (TUR): A resectoscope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder, where we can remove all or part of the tumor or destroy it with electric current. This procedure eliminates invasive surgery and may be performed under local anesthesia. Treatment may be continued with special medication, according to the patient’s needs, after the TUR procedure.

• Intravesical therapy: Special medication is placed inside the bladder. This has been shown to eliminate tumors, help prevent their recurrence and help prevent them from growing deeper into the bladder wall. This treatment is generally selected for patients with carcinoma in situ and for patients with tumors that could not be removed during TUR due to their location.

Though all procedures carry some risk, we do everything possible to minimize risk and make patients comfortable before, during and after treatment.