Bladder Cancer

What should I know about bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer usually affects older adults but can strike at any age. Most commonly, cancer begins in the cells that line the inside of your bladder.

When diagnosed early, bladder cancer is highly treatable. However, you require continual follow-up even if you’re in remission because it can reoccur.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

In the earlier stages, bladder cancer may not have any outward symptoms. The following symptoms are cause for concern:

• Blood in the urine
• Pelvic pain or back pain
• Frequent and painful urination

These symptoms may also indicate other underlying health conditions, so make an appointment with Dr. Eldaif right away for an evaluation of your bladder and urinary tract.

What increases the risk of developing bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer often occurs with no clear cause. The following increase your risk:

• Smoking or using tobacco
• Radiation exposure
• Chronic irritation of the lining of the bladder
• Parasitic infections
• Exposure to specific chemicals

Having any of these risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll develop bladder cancer. They simply increase your chances of diagnosis.

How’s bladder cancer diagnosed?

If Dr. Eldaif suspects bladder cancer, he may recommend one or more of the following tests.

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is a common exam in which Dr. Eldaif inserts a small, narrow tube equipped with a camera into the urethra to examine the internal structures of the bladder.

Biopsy

During a biopsy, Dr. Eldaif collects a small number of cells from your bladder for testing.

Urine cytology

For this simple test, you first provide a urine sample which is tested for the presence of cancerous cells.

Imaging

Dr. Eldaif may recommend imaging tests such as a CT scan to examine the structure of your urinary tract.

How’s bladder cancer treated?

Depending on the size and number of the bladder tumors found, Dr. Eldaif may perform either simple scraping or more aggressive resection of the tumor to precisely remove any cancerous tissue. He may also recommend BCG immunotherapy, which are weekly bladder flushing effective at preventing recurrence or progression of the cancer.  He may also recommend a multidisciplinary approach with the oncologists for possible chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or investigational drugs as part of your treatment plan.

For more information about bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment, call the Center for Advanced Urology & Robotics.