Bladder Cancer Symptoms
Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from the cells lining the inner surface of the bladder, where urine is stored. It is more common in men than in women and is generally a disease of advanced age. When diagnosed early, treatment success is quite high, but the most important problem is that in the early period the disease can often progress without any symptoms.
The most typical and most important symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Apart from this, changes in urination habits and some pains can also occur.
The Most Common Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)
It is the most important and most common symptom of bladder cancer.
- The urine being pink, red or brown
- Sometimes blood being seen only at a microscopic level
- It usually being painless (a very important warning sign)
Painless blood in the urine must always be evaluated seriously.
Frequent Urination
The tumor in the bladder wall can reduce the capacity of the bladder or create irritation. This can manifest with:
- Frequent urination during the day
- Getting up to urinate at night (nocturia)
- A sudden sensation of needing to urinate
Burning or Pain When Urinating
It is not always seen, but in some patients, due to irritation of the inner surface of the bladder, there can be:
- Burning when urinating
- Discomfort in the lower abdominal area
This condition can often be confused with an infection.
Difficulty Urinating
When the tumor partially blocks urine outflow, there can be:
- Weak urine flow
- Intermittent urination
- Straining when urinating
Lower Abdominal and Groin Pain
As the disease progresses, there can be:
- A constant sensation of pressure
- Pain in the groin or lower abdomen
- A sensation of fullness in the bladder
Advanced Stage Symptoms
When bladder cancer progresses, it can spread to surrounding tissues and distant organs. In this case, more serious symptoms can be seen:
- Lower back and back pain
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Deterioration of kidney functions
- Swelling in the legs (in advanced cases)
What Causes Bladder Cancer?
The most important risk factors in the development of bladder cancer are:
- Smoking (the most important risk factor)
- Exposure to chemicals (paint, textile industry, etc.)
- Chronic bladder infections
- Advanced age
- Male sex
- Family history
Smoking is the most important factor that can increase the risk of bladder cancer several times over.
How Is Bladder Cancer Diagnosed?
The diagnostic process is usually carried out with the following steps:
- Urinalysis
- Urine cytology (searching for cancer cells)
- Ultrasonography
- CT urography
- Cystoscopy (viewing the bladder with a camera)
- Biopsy if necessary
A definitive diagnosis is usually made with cystoscopy and biopsy.
Bladder Cancer Treatment
Treatment is planned according to the stage of the disease:
Early Stage Treatment
The tumor is removed by entering the bladder (TUR-B).
- It is a closed method
- The tumor is cleared
- Medication is given into the bladder if necessary
Immunotherapy and Intravesical Treatment
BCG or chemotherapy drugs can be given into the bladder.
- It reduces the risk of recurrence
- It is used especially in superficial tumors
Advanced Stage Treatment
If the cancer has progressed into the muscle layer, the following can be applied:
- Surgical removal of the bladder (cystectomy)
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiotherapy
When Should One Consult a Doctor?
A urologist should be consulted without delay in the following situations:
- Blood being seen in the urine, even if only once
- Painless bloody urine
- Recurrent urinary tract complaints
- Unexplained changes in urination
Summary
Bladder cancer is a serious urological disease that most often manifests with painless bleeding in the urine. When detected in the early stage, treatment success is high. For this reason, blood in the urine should never be neglected and must always be evaluated in detail by a urologist.
