Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in both men and women in the United States, with more than 81,000 new cases each year. It is more common in men than women, with 4 out of 5 cases occurring in men.
Bladder cancer is most common in people ages 55 and older, with 75% of all cases occurring in people age 55 and up. It also has a higher prevalence in Caucasians and African Americans than in other ethnic/racial groups.
Unfortunately, bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate, with more than 60% of patients having a recurrence within 5 years of being diagnosed. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you have bladder cancer symptoms such as blood in the urine, pain while urinating, and lower back pain.
Is bladder cancer very common?
No, bladder cancer is not very common. According to the American Cancer Society, bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. It is estimated that about 80,470 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in 2021.
It is more commonly found in men than in women, with the estimated number of new cases in 2021 being 57,320 in men and 23,150 in women. However, it is still important to be aware of the symptoms and risk factors, and if you experience any concerning symptoms, to contact your health care provider for a diagnosis.
Is bladder cancer a big deal?
Yes, bladder cancer is a big deal. It is the sixth most common form of cancer in the United States, with approximately 74,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. It is also the fourth leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States.
About 16,000 men and 8,000 women die from bladder cancer each year. Bladder cancer can also drastically affect quality of life. Symptoms can range from having frequent urges to urinate to painful urination, and more severe symptoms like bloody urine and pain in the back or pelvic area.
In addition, it can lead to serious complications such as difficulties urinating, incontinence, and ureter obstruction. While early-stage bladder cancer is often easy to treat, later stage cancers may require more intensive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.
However, timely detection is key to minimizing the impact of bladder cancer and ensuring a better outcome.
What is the main cause of bladder cancer?
The exact cause of bladder cancer is unknown, however, there are certain risk factors that may increase a person’s chances of developing bladder cancer. These risk factors include smoking, chronic bladder inflammation, being exposed to certain toxins, or having high levels of arsenic in drinking water.
It is also thought that certain genetic factors may contribute to the risk of developing bladder cancer. Additionally, a history of bladder infections, bladder stones, cancer in other parts of the body, and long-term use of certain medications have been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Ultimately, some lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to toxins, may help reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer.
Can you have bladder cancer for years and not know it?
Yes, it is possible to have bladder cancer for years and not know it. Bladder cancer often does not cause symptoms until it has progressed to a more advanced stage, so those with bladder cancer may go years without any indication that something is wrong.
If bladder cancer is suspected, a person should speak with a doctor who can order tests to confirm the diagnosis. Risk factors for bladder cancer include older age, smoking, being exposed to certain chemical carcinogens, and having a family history of the disease.
It is important to get regular screenings for bladder cancer, especially for people who have risk factors.
Where does bladder cancer go first?
Bladder cancer typically begins in the internal cells that line the inside of the organ. As the cancer develops, it may spread to other areas of the organ, including the muscle layer. This is known as muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
As bladder cancer progresses, it may eventually spread, or metastasize, to other organs, such as the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes. This is referred to as distant metastasis. Metastatic bladder cancer requires an intensive and specialized treatment plan, as it can be difficult to stop the progression of cancer.
As such, early diagnosis and treatment are essential for increasing long-term survival of bladder cancer patients.
How can bladder cancer be prevented?
Bladder cancer can potentially be prevented by avoiding certain behaviors, making lifestyle changes and taking certain medications.
A few lifestyle changes that may help to reduce the risk of bladder cancer include quitting smoking, which is the leading risk factor for bladder cancer, as well as avoiding exposure to certain known carcinogens, such as certain chemicals found in certain paint, rubber and leather products, as well as radiation and some dyes used in medical imaging.
Furthermore, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to help flush out the bladder and reduce urinary tract infections, which can increase the risk of bladder cancer.
In addition, certain medications may be prescribed to reduce the risk of bladder cancer. These medications may include agents that block a chemical called N-nitrosodimethylamine that is naturally present in foods such as fish, beer and salted foods, as well as antibiotics that can help to prevent infections and cancer-causing viruses.
Although there is no sure way to prevent bladder cancer, the above lifestyle changes and medications may help to reduce the risk. Additionally, it is important to watch for signs and symptoms of bladder cancer, such as blood in the urine, pain or burning during urination, frequent urination or lower back pain, and see a doctor as soon as possible if any of these symptoms arise.
Are most bladder cancers curable?
The answer to this question depends on several factors including the stage of the cancer and the type of tumor. Generally speaking, most bladder cancers that are caught in the early stages are highly treatable and often curable.
Stage 0 and I (low-grade) bladder cancers are typically treated with a procedure called transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT), which can often lead to a cure. Stage II (intermediate-grade) bladder cancer can also be cured if treated early and aggressively.
Higher stage bladder cancers are often more aggressive, and the prognosis for cure may be lower; however, many people can still achieve long-term remission and/or cancer-free survival. Treatment for bladder cancer may also depend on the type of tumor and may involve surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or other targeted treatments.
The goal of treatment is to either eliminate the cancer or reduce its size. Talk to your doctor to receive more information about the treatment options best suited to your particular situation.
Can you live 15 years with bladder cancer?
The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors, such as the type and stage of the cancer. Generally speaking, the 5-year relative survival rate of people with bladder cancer is around 76%.
This means that, if diagnosed early and managed properly, 76 out of every 100 people diagnosed with bladder cancer are likely to live at least 5 years.
However, when it comes to living 15 years (or more) with bladder cancer, the answer is less clear, as it depends on so many factors. While it is possible to live with bladder cancer for longer than 15 years, it does become less likely over time as the disease progresses or spreads.
In general, the primary factor in determining whether an individual is able to live with bladder cancer for 15 years or more is prompt and accurate diagnosis, as well as early and comprehensive treatment.
Early detection of bladder cancer, as well as lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, proper nutrition/exercise, and stress reduction, can improve the chances of living with bladder cancer for a prolonged time.
Additionally, regular screenings and monitoring can ensure that the cancer is detected early and treated effectively, thus increasing the rate of survival with bladder cancer for 15 years or more.
Where is the first place bladder cancer spreads?
Bladder cancer generally spreads first to the regional lymph nodes near the bladder. In particular, bladder cancer commonly spreads to nearby lymph nodes in the pelvis, such as the obturator, external iliac, and internal iliac lymph nodes.
It can then spread to more distant lymph nodes, such as the lymph nodes in the abdomen, the groin, and the lungs. Other common sites for bladder cancer to spread include bones, liver, and lungs. Additionally, some bladder cancers can spread to parts of the body farther away, such as the brain and spinal cord.
How long do you survive after bladder cancer?
The length of time a person can survive after a diagnosis of bladder cancer depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the cancer and how quickly it is detected and treated. Generally, a person who has localized bladder cancer–meaning that it has not spread beyond the bladder–has an overall five year survival rate of approximately 91%.
If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the prognosis significantly diminishes, with an overall five-year survival rate of approximately 40%, and the median survival time being approximately two years.
It is important to note, however, that the prognosis can vary greatly based on the individual and their circumstances. Some individuals may experience a remission, meaning that their cancer has gone away for a period of time, or may be cured through treatment.
Additionally, treatments continue to improve and evolve, leading to better survival rates as time goes on. Therefore, it is important to speak with your doctor to discuss the specifics of your diagnosis and to work out the best possible treatment plan.
Is there hope for bladder cancer?
Yes, there is hope for bladder cancer. Treatment, prognosis and survival rates depend on a variety of factors, including the overall health of the patient, the type, stage and location of the tumor, and the individual’s response to treatment.
In the early stages of bladder cancer, a patient may be treated with local therapies such as surgical removal, transurethral resection, and immunotherapy. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted drugs sometimes are needed.
Overall, bladder cancer is treatable and, in some cases, even curable. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for bladder cancer is 77%, with the highest rates associated with removing the cancer during its early stages.
Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer should be pursued as early as possible to improve prognosis and reduce the risk of mortality.
How is bladder cancer usually found?
Bladder cancer is usually found in one of two ways: through regular screening tests, or when a patient visits their healthcare provider to report symptoms. A doctor may conduct physical exams, such as a digital rectal exam and cystoscopy, in order to look for signs of bladder cancer.
Regular screening for bladder cancer typically involves a urinalysis that tests for blood in the urine, as well as imaging tests such as a CT and MRI scan. In addition, a urine cytology test, in which cells from a urine sample are examined for cancerous cells, may be done.
If any of these tests come back positive and indicate the possibility of bladder cancer, a biopsy may be performed in order to confirm the diagnosis. During a biopsy, a small sample of bladder tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.
If confirmed, the physician may order additional tests to determine if the cancer has spread and to assess the staging of the bladder cancer.