There are several bladder cancer treatment methods, which can be a great relief to people suffering with this cancer.
The bladder is the balloon-shaped organ located in the pelvic cavity that stores and discharges urine and is a part of the excretory system.
As known the urine is produced by the kidneys, carried to the bladder by the ureters, and discharged from the bladder through the urethra.
The bladder cancer is the cancerous growth of abnormal cells in this bladder which turn into tumor or malignant cells which multiply rapidly and do not die like the normal cells thus leading to cancer.
Before knowing about the various bladder cancer treatment methods, let us first know about the causes of bladder cancer.
Bladder Cancer Cause
The bladder cancer cause is exactly not known but several risk factors are associated with the disease which proves to increase the chances of occurrence of the disease. The process of cancer formation in the bladder is best explained as formation of cancer causing agents called the carcinogens in the urine.
The major risk factor in most of the cases is found to be cigarette smoking. Also smoking cigars and pipes increases the risk. Age, urinary tract infections, consumption of unbalanced diet, exposure to radiation, certain genetic risk factors, consumption of certain drugs or medications, even family race and personal history of bladder cancer are some of the other risk factors which increase the chances of developing the bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the type of cancer, and the patient’s age and overall health. People with bladder cancer have many treatment options. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Bladder Cancer Surgery
Surgery is the most common bladder cancer treatment. The type of surgery depends on the stage of the disease and grade of the tumor.
The type of surgery performed again depends on the stage of the tumor or cancer, if bladder cancer is in early stage then transurethral resection may be performed but if the cancer has spread to the surrounding tissue then the radical cystectomy is the option left.
The segmental cystectomy is performed when the part of the bladder needs to be removed. This option is most suitable for cases where the cancer has invaded only one area in the bladder.
It should be kept in mind that the aim of performing surgery in bladder cancer patients is to relieve the symptoms (Bladder Cancer Symptoms) and the urinary blockage caused by the disease. In verse cases the situation may arise where the entire bladder needs to be removed.
Bladder Cancer Treatment: Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. Like surgery, radiation therapy is local therapy. It affects cancer cells only in the treated area.
Either the external beam radiation or the internal radiation may be used for bladder cancer treatment. In some cases both type of radiation therapy are given for better results.
Bladder Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
The most common method of treating any type of cancer is the chemotherapy method which uses the administration of the drugs either orally or intravenously.
As the drugs are absorbed in the overall body through the blood stream this procedure of bladder cancer treatment is termed as systemic treatment. The chemotherapy method of bladder cancer treatment is demonstrated in regular cycles and intervals.
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