Bladder Cancer – Types and Treatment Options

Our bladder is a hollow organ in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Its main function is to collect and store urine released by the kidneys. The bladder is linked to the kidneys through a tube from each kidney known as the ureter.

What is Bladder Cancer?

The cancer of bladder occurs when the normal cells undergo a dangerous, degenerative or a malignant transformation resulting in abnormal growth of cells within the bladder. A lump or mass of cancerous cells is known as tumor or cancer. Such cancerous cells spread to other body parts through the process of metastasis.

It is possible that these cancer cells spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. They can stop off in organs or tissues where they may increase and can become highly destructive.  Based on the type of cells from which it occurs, bladder cancer can be of different types. ( find out more)

Different Types of Bladder Cancers

  • Urothelial Carcinoma – This is the most common form of bladder cancer. It occurs within the innermost lining of the bladder wall known as transitional cells lining.
  • Adenocarcinoma – This cancer occurs from cells present in the glands.
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Such cancers comprises cells that occur as a result of irritation or inflammation of the bladder.

What are Treatment Options for Bladder Cancer?

The treatment for bladder cancer depends on various factors, including type of bladder cancer, grade of cancer, and stage. Based on these factors, the patient can be offered with various types of bladder cancer treatments.

  1. Surgery

    The bladder cancer surgery can be of various types.

  •  Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor – Also known as TURBT, this process is used to remove bladder cancer present within the inner layers of the bladder. It can cure bladder cancer which is not muscle-invasive.
  • Cystectomy – This surgery is performed to remove all or part of the bladder.
  • Neo-bladder Reconstruction – After performing cystectomy, the doctor would create a new way for urine to pass through your body. The process of urinary tract diversion is known as neo-bladder reconstruction.
  • Ileal Conduit – This is another process for urinary diversion where the surgeon creates a tube or ileal conduit with a piece of the patient’s
  • Continent Urinary Reservoir – This form of urinary diversion process is done by creating a small pouch to hold urine using a part of the intestine.
  1. Chemotherapy

This treatment process involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. Usually, chemotherapy for bladder cancer involves using a combination of drugs. This therapy is mainly practiced before bladder removal surgery to boost chances of curing cancer.

  1. Radiation Therapy

This therapy uses high-energy beams that target cancer cells. This therapy is offered from a machine that moves around the body and directs the energy beams to accurate points.

  1. Immunotherapy

Also known as biological therapy, it works by boosting the immune system of the body to help fight cancer cells.

  1. Trimodality Therapy

With a three-pong treatment approach, it is possible to preserve bladder in specific cases of muscle-invasive cancer. This treatment approach includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and TURBT.

What Happens After Treatment?

Even after the treatment, bladder cancer can recur. For this reason, it is essential for people availing of bladder cancer treatment to follow-up testing for years. This will ensure that the issue does not occur again.

If you want to avail more insights about bladder cancer and the appropriate treatment options available, then you may contact cancer treatment experts at https://dramitgandhi.com/.



Leave a Reply

Open chat