Information From Your Health Care Provider

BLADDER TUMOR

Basic information

description

A bladder tumor is an abnormal tissue growth in the bladder. It may be cancerous or noncancerous. If the tumor is cancerous, it may spread to lymph nodes, bones, liver, and/or lungs. The tumors are most common in people over age 50 and occur more often in men than women.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

There are often no symptoms in the early stages.
Blood in the urine.
Pain or burning when urinating.
Needing to urinate more frequently. There may be only small amounts of urine passed.
Fever.
Unexplained weight loss.

causes

Unknown in some cases. Exposure to cancer-causing substances in the environment may be the cause in some cases.

risk increases with

Smoking.
Family history of bladder tumors.
Prior radiation or chemotherapy or having a catheter.
Exposure to certain industrial dyes, chemicals, paints, solvents, ink, etc.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Avoid exposure to chemical or environmental hazards. Improved methods of protecting workers from chemical hazards have lowered the number of bladder tumors. Regular screening of those who have been exposed in the past is also helpful.
Don't smoke.

expected outcomes

When diagnosed early, treatment can be successful. However, it is common for the tumors to return. Regular medical checkups are needed. If cancer has spread, the outcome will depend on many factors.

possible complications

Spread of cancer to other places in the body, which can be fatal.
Emotional stress about changes in body image.
Side effects of treatments such as extreme fatigue.
Treatment can lead to infertility for men and women.
Anemia.
Incontinence.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. Medical tests include urine studies. A lighted optical instrument (cystoscope) may be used to see inside the bladder. It can also be used to remove a small piece of tissue, or even a small tumor, for viewing under a microscope (biopsy). The tumor may be cancerous or benign. X-ray, MRI, CT, or other tests may be done to see if a cancerous tumor has spread (called staging).
Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), and biologic therapy.
Small tumors may be removed by fulguration. This involves burning off the tumor by a high frequency electrical current (or with a laser) via the cystoscope.
Larger tumors are removed surgically. This may mean removal of part or all of the bladder (cystectomy) and other nearby body organs if needed. An alternate method of storing and removing urine may be needed.
Radiation and biologic therapy (the body's immune system is used to fight cancer) may be recommended.
Counseling is helpful in learning to cope with the changes in your body.
To learn more: American Cancer Society; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org or National Cancer Institute; (800) 4-CANCER; website: www.cancer.gov.

medications

Anticancer drugs may be prescribed that are taken by mouth or given through a vein (IV). A catheter may be used to deliver drugs into the bladder itself.

activity

Resume your normal activities once your health care provider gives approval. This includes sexual relations.