Cystoscopy and biopsy A cystoscopy is a common procedure used to diagnose bladder cancer by examining the inside of the bladder using a thin tube with a light and camera on the end called a cystoscope. If abnormal tissues are detected, a tissue sample (biopsy) will then be taken.
It is not uncommon for patients diagnosed and treated for cancer to experience mood changes and to go through some periods when they feel anxious or depressed. Other common emotions experienced by patients with bladder cancer include: Feeling overwhelmed or confused. Feeling shocked or numb.
An abnormal growth that develops in the bladder is known as a bladder tumor. Some bladder tumors are benign (noncancerous), while others are malignant (cancerous). Malignant bladder tumors – also known as bladder cancer – can spread (metastasize) into other parts of the body.
Bladder cancer can often be found early because it causes blood in the urine or other urinary symptoms that cause a person to see a health care provider. In most cases, blood in the urine (called hematuria) is the first sign of bladder cancer.
The 5-year relative survival rate for bladder cancer in the United States is 77%. The survival rates for bladder cancer vary based on several factors.
around 75 out of every 100 (around 75%) survive their cancer for 1 year or more after diagnosis. almost 55 out of every 100 (almost 55%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed. around 45 out of every 100 (around 45%) survive their cancer for 10 years or more after diagnosis.
“While there are several types of benign masses that can grow in the bladder, these are uncommon and account for fewer than 1% of bladder masses," says Khurshid Guru, MD, Chair of Roswell Park's Department of Urology.
Feeling weak or fatigued: You may feel lethargic and extremely tired a lot of the time. Bone pain: If your cancer has spread to the bone, it can cause bone pain or a bone fracture. Swollen feet: Bladder cancer that has spread (metastasized) to your lymph nodes, for instance, could cause your feet to swell.
Tiredness. You might also feel very tired and lethargic a lot of the time. This can happen for a while after treatment, or if your bladder cancer is advanced.
Can bladder cancer go undetected for years? If symptoms such as blood in the urine and changes in urinary habits are ignored by an individual and/or repeatedly misdiagnosed, it's possible that bladder cancer may not be detected for months or, in some cases, even years.
Bladder cancer occurs mainly in older people. About 9 out of 10 people with this cancer are over the age of 55. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 73. Overall, the chance men will develop this cancer during their lifetime is about 1 in 28.
When bladder cancer spreads, it first invades the bladder wall, which is made up of four distinct layers. It can take some time for cancer to penetrate all of these layers, but once it has, it can then spread into the surrounding fatty tissues and lymph nodes.
Left untreated, bladder cancer may grow through your bladder walls to nearby lymph nodes and then other areas of your body, including your bones, lungs or liver.
Bladder cancer is highly treatable when it is diagnosed in the early stages. The main types of treatments for bladder cancer include: Surgery: Bladder cancer treatment almost always has a surgical component that may be combined with other non-invasive approaches, including those listed below.
Transurethral bladder tumor resection (TURBT).
During TURBT, a surgeon inserts a cystoscope through the urethra into the bladder. The surgeon then removes the tumor using a tool with a small wire loop, a laser, or high-energy electricity, which is called fulguration.
Most people with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer have an operation called transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). This is done under general anaesthetic using a rigid cystoscope. A TURBT takes 15–40 minutes and does not involve any cuts to the outside of the body.
Right after TURBT you might have some bleeding and pain when you urinate. You can usually go home the same day or the next day and can return to your usual activities within a week or two. Even if the TURBT removes the tumor completely, bladder cancer often comes back (recurs) in other parts of the bladder.
N0 (N zero): The cancer has not spread to the regional lymph nodes. N1: The cancer is 2 centimeters (cm) or smaller in a single lymph node. N2: The cancer is larger than 2 cm in a single lymph node, or it has spread to more than 1 lymph node.
Doctors may suspect bladder cancer if a patient has symptoms such as blood in the urine or pain when urinating—or if lab tests done for another reason show abnormal results.
Ultrasound scan for bladder cancer
The scan looks at your urinary system (the bladder, kidneys, ureter and urethra). The ultrasound scan can show if there are any signs of cancer in your bladder. It can also show any blockages in the tubes that move urine between your kidneys and bladder (the ureters).
Pain may start in your pelvic region, but as it worsens, you may feel pain that radiates into your lower back. Back pain associated with bladder cancer is often felt on one side of the body. You may also experience pain you feel in your bones.