It mainly affects people over the age of 60, men and smokers.
The bladder cancer affects between 13,000 and 20,000 people in France and causes 5,000 deaths. It mainly affects people over the age of 60, men and smokers. It is the 7th most frequent cancer in France. The main prevention of bladder cancer is not to smoke.
What is bladder cancer?
The bladder cancer is most often developed from the bladder mucosa, on the urothelial epithelium, hence the name of the uothelial carcinoma which is also given to it. There are two types of bladder cancer:
- superficial, that is to say limited to the mucosa of the bladder,
- Invasive, reaching a deeper tissue layer of the bladder called muscularous. This is more violent and requires much heavier treatment.
The stage corresponds to the degree of severity of cancer as a function of the size of the initial tumor and its spread. Doctors use the so -called “TNM” classification, T concerning the size of the tumor (which goes from 0 to 4), indicating the possible presence of affected lymph nodes (from 0 to 3) and the letter M for the presence of metastases (0 to 1). The higher the scores, the darker is the prognosis.
What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?
“”The main symptom of bladder cancer is the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria), which can be pink or dark red depending on the intensity of the bleeding“Explains Dr. Adriana Perez, oncologist at the Bobigny High Energy Radiotherapy Institute. A macroscopic hematuria (visible to the naked eye) reveals in 80% of cases bladder cancer.”The other symptoms that can alert range from urinary burns to lower back pain, repeated urinary tract infections or spasms of the bladder“, Specifies Dr Perez.
What is life expectancy with bladder cancer?
When bladder cancer is taken in time, survival is more than 80% at 5 years. If the diagnosis is made later, survival falls to 50% and 5% at the metastatic stage. To anticipate possible relapses, people affected by bladder cancer must be followed regularly throughout their lives.
What is the cause of bladder cancer?
As with the majority of cancers, it is difficult to determine the causes of the bladder cancer. On the other hand, we can identify the main risk factors. The first accused is, as often, smoking, which would be responsible for 30 to 40 % of bladder cancers. Prolonged exposure to certain substances within the framework of a professional activity (textiles, dyes, paintings, rubber, etc.) would also be put into causes in its occurrence. Some chemotherapy in treatment to another cancer may increase the risk of further developing bladder cancer.
There is no systematic screening for bladder cancer. In the event of suspicion, the first examination proposed by the doctor is urine analysis. If abnormal cells are detected, cancer is proven but it is essential to locate the tumor which can be at any level of urinary tract, kidneys to the urethra. Three exams are then possible:
- Cystoscopy, which allows you to explore the bladder using a cystoscope. A sample of a fragment of tissues is generally carried out.
- The microscopic examination of the tissues taken, to confirm the diagnosis and establish the (degree of malignancy) grade of cancer and its stage (degree of extension of the disease).
- intravenous urography, which makes it possible to identify any anomalies of the urinary tract.
What is bladder cancer treatment?
“”Frame cancer treatments have three goals: delete the tumor and any metastases, reduce the risk of recurrence and treat symptoms“Explains Dr. Adriana Perez. There are three bladder cancer treatments, depending on its location and stadium.
► Surgery. Its purpose is to withdraw the tumor, in order to limit the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of recurrence. Two types of surgery exist as the case may be:
- Transparentral bladder resection (RTUV) for superficial tumors.
- Extension of part of the bladder (partial cystectomy) or all of the bladder (total cytectomy)
► Radiotherapy can be indicated to destroy the tumor. It is generally associated with chemotherapy and we then speak of concomitant chemotherapy radio. It can also be carried out alone, in the event of contraindication to chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can also be used to relieve pain or to master symptoms due to bleeding.
► Chemotherapy acts on the whole body and makes it possible to destroy cancer cells even from a distance from the initial tumor, in the case of metastases.
Thank you to Dr Adriana Perez, oncologist at the Bobigny high energy radiotherapy institute.
