Bladder Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life: What to Expect

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers that starts when cells in the urinary bladder begin to grow out of control. Bladder cancer is five times more common in men than in women. Also, the risk of developing bladder cancer increases with age as about 70% of bladder cancer patients are above 65 years of age. 

Most bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, when the cancer is highly treatable. With new treatment modalities such as minimally invasive surgeries, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and personalized approaches, bladder cancer patients now have access to more effective care options. However, the focus on quality of life after bladder cancer treatment remains just as crucial as it is during the treatment. But what if we told you that even early-stage bladder cancers can come back after successful treatment? Therefore, cancer bladder survivors need to be regular with their follow-up tests for years even after successful treatment. 

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with bladder cancer, it’s essential to consult with an experienced urologist who can tailor a treatment plan that balances both life expectancy and quality of life after bladder cancer.
 

If you are experiencing early signs of bladder cancer, don’t wait! For cancer diagnosis, treatment and second opinion, consult Felix Hospital by calling +91 9667064100.

Understanding Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer begins in the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine.

Bladder cancer most often begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of your bladder. Urothelial cells are also found in your kidneys and ureters that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Urothelial cancer can happen in the kidneys and ureters, too, but it's much more common in the bladder.

What Causes Bladder Cancer?

There is no exact cause of bladder cancer known yet, but it is said to be a result of mutations or changes in cell’s DNA. Also, there are certain risk factors such as smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes that increase an individual’s chance of developing bladder cancer. Infact, smoking is believed to cause half of all bladder cancers in men and women.
 

Among other bladder cancer risk factors that increase the risk of developing the condition, the common ones include:

• Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as the ones used in the manufacture of dyes, rubber, leather, textiles and paint products
• Chronic bladder or urinary infections
• Low fluid consumption
• Being male, as men are more likely to develop the disease
• Being over the age of 55 years
• High-fat diet
• Family history of bladder cancer

Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms that indicate presence of bladder cancer. These include: blood in urine, fatigue, weight loss, and bone tenderness, etc.
 

Other common symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Painful urination
• Pain in lower back and abdominal area
• Urinary incontinence
 

Diagnosis

If an individual experiences any of the above listed symptoms that indicate bladder cancer, then the doctor may perform some specific tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests also reveal if the cancer has spread to any other part of the body.
 

The following tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis:

• Urinalysis: This lab test of urine is used to detect cells and substances in the urine to screen and diagnose urinary tract infections, kidney disease and other illnesses. 
   

• Internal examination: As the bladder is close to the rectum and vagina, your doctor may do an internal examination by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum or vagina to feel for anything unusual. 
   

• Cystoscopy: It is the key diagnostic procedure for diagnosis of bladder cancer. 
   

• Biopsy/Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT): If abnormal tissue is found during a cystoscopy, the doctor will do a biopsy. A biopsy is a surgical procedure where a small amount of tissue is removed to examine it under a microscope. This is called Transurethral Bladder Tumor Resection (TURBT). The procedure is used to diagnose bladder cancer and find out the type of tumor. It also helps to find how deeply the tumor has grown into the layers of the bladder. 
   

• Computed tomography (CT): Imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT) urogram allows your doctor to examine the structures of your urinary tract. Images taken during the test provide a detailed view of your urinary tract and help your doctor identify any areas that might be cancer. 
   

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the body which are helpful in measuring the tumor’s size and identifying enlarged lymph nodes. 
   

• Positron emission tomography (PET): A PET scan creates pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. A PET scan is usually combined with a CT scan, called a PET-CT Scan to diagnose bladder cancer.
   

• Ultrasound: This procedure uses sound waves to create a picture of the internal organs and determine if there are polyps within the bladder. 
   

• IVP: This is an X-ray exam that uses a special dye to outline the kidneys, ureters and bladder and helps your doctor identify problems (if any) in the urinary tract. The test shows how your renal and urinary system handles fluid waste accumulated inside the body. 
   

• Retrograde pyelogram: During this diagnostic test, a catheter is put in through the urethra and up into the bladder or into a ureter. This test may be done along with ultrasound of the kidneys to look for tumors in the urinary tract.

Bladder Cancer Treatments - What to Expect?  

Bladder cancer treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, the team of professionals from different specialities including Pathologists, Surgical Oncologists, Uro-Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, etc., are part of the bladder cancer care team. 

Treatment for bladder cancer and the bladder cancer treatment cost depends on a number of factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, which are taken into consideration along with overall health of the patient.
 

Bladder cancer treatment may include:

Surgery: Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: TURBT is a procedure that helps to diagnose as well as remove bladder cancers that are confined to the inner layers of the bladder, ones that aren't yet muscle-invasive. During the procedure, a high-energy laser may be used to kill the cancer cells.
 

Cystectomy: The surgery deals with the removal of all or part of the bladder. During partial cystectomy, your surgeon removes only the portion of the bladder that contains a single cancerous tumor. On the other hand, during the radical cystectomy, the entire bladder and the surrounding lymph nodes are removed.
 

Neobladder Reconstruction: After a radical cystectomy, your surgeon creates a urinary diversion or a way through which urine leaves your body.

Chemotherapy Depending on the stage of the bladder cancer, chemotherapy can be given in one of the following two ways: 
 

     • Intravesical chemotherapy is best suited for treatment of cancers that are confined to the lining of the bladder but at the same time have a high risk of recurrence 
     • Systemic chemotherapy is given when surgery isn't an option or to increase the chance of cure post surgery.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is the use of medicines to promote the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. The treatment is sometimes effective in destroying bladder cancer cells.

Targeted Therapy: The therapy helps to treat advanced cancer when other treatments fail.

Prevention Is The Key To Lead Quality of Life After Bladder Cancer

Although there's no guaranteed way to prevent bladder cancer, you can certainly reduce your risk by adopting some lifestyle changes. These include:
 

• Quit smoke: Stop smoking as consumption of tobacco increases your chance of developing bladder cancer again. 
   

• Working with chemicals: If you work with chemicals, follow all safety instructions to avoid exposure.
   

• Eat a balanced diet: Choose a diet that’s rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables as it may help reduce your risk of cancer.
   

• Stay hydrated: Not drinking enough fluids may be a risk factor for developing bladder cancer.
   

• Get screened regularly: If you have a family history of bladder cancer or if you experience signs of bladder cancer, such as blood in urine, make sure to get yourself checked because early detection of bladder cancer increases the likelihood of successful treatment.

Meet the Best Urologist at Felix Hospitals for Bladder Cancer Treatment

Felix Hospitals, the best hospital for cancer treatment in Noida has some of the most experienced cancer specialists and the best urologist in Noida like Dr. Mukta Baxi, Dr. Abhishek Shrivastava, and Dr. Bhanwar Lal Barkesiya. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and advanced surgical facilities, ensuring comprehensive care for patients requiring bladder cancer treatment. With a multidisciplinary approach, our team provides personalized treatment plans for optimal outcomes.
 

Care for people diagnosed with bladder cancer does not end with active treatment because the fear of cancer recurrence is always there. Therefore, follow up visits to lead quality of life after bladder cancer are a must.
 

At Felix Hospital, Leading as the best hospital for bladder cancer treatment our teams work together to diagnose and develop the best possible individualized treatment that’s focused on preserving quality of life after . So seek an appointment with our bladder cancer specialist and gain as much information as you can about your condition, treatment options, outcome and quality of life after bladder cancer treatment.
 

If you’d like to talk to our bladder cancer specialist at Felix Hospitals or wish to know more about our urinary bladder surgery cost, Click Here for more.

FAQs

Q1- Are there any bladder cancer complications?
ANS: Some of the known complications associated with bladder cancers are that the cancer cells spread to the nearby organs, like the liver, lungs and bones. 
Other complications of bladder cancer include: anemia, swelling of the ureters, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction in men and sexual dysfunction in women.

Q2- Is bladder cancer hereditary?
ANS: Bladder cancer does not often run in families, and inherited gene mutations are not thought to be a major cause of this cancer.

Q3- What is chemotherapy treatment for bladder cancer?
ANS: Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells by keeping them from growing, dividing, and multiplying. Chemotherapy treatment for bladder cancer usually involves two or more chemotherapy drugs in a combination. Depending on the stage and grade of bladder cancer, a patient may receive one drug at a time or a cocktail of different chemo drugs are given the same day.

Q4- What is Ileal Conduit?
ANS: It’s a type of urinary diversion where your surgeon creates a tube (ileal conduit) using a piece of your intestine. The tube runs from the patient’s ureters, which drain their kidneys, to the outside of the body, into a pouch that the patient wears on their abdomen.

Q5- Why do I experience frequent urination after TURBT Surgery?
ANS: The need to urinate frequently for a while after the surgery is normal, but this should improve with time. It may also burn when you urinate. So, drink lots of fluids and stay hydrated.

Q6- How often should I be screened for bladder cancer?
ANS: Based on your risk of developing bladder cancer, it is important to get examined regularly. But if symptoms do appear, they should be evaluated promptly so that bladder cancer can be detected in its earliest and most treatable stages.