Various Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer and How to Recognize It

In the previous article, we discuss all the basics about Bladder Cancer. So, in this article, let’s dig deep and discuss the Various Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer and How to Recognize It.

Cells of the body divide and form daughter cells. This is a controlled process, i.e., cells will divide at a pace equal to cell death so that the net number of cells remains the same. When these cells get out of control and divide faster than cell death, these abnormally dividing cells are called cancerous cells. Cancerous cells form a mass called tumor that can be of two types

1. Benign Tumors (non-spreading)
2. Malignant Tumors (spread to other parts)

Malignant cells (cancerous cells) divide uncontrollably and form Cancer (malignant tumor), which can occur in any part of the body and spread to other parts.

The bladder is an important organ of the urinary tract that stores urine before urination. Urine, formed by the kidneys by filtration of blood, enters the bladder through the ureters and leaves the body through the urethra. Cancerous cells form in the tissues of the bladder and cause bladder cancer. Depending on cell type and the layer of the cell which is affected by malignant cells, bladder cancer can be divided into three types;

1.    Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC):

In transitional cell carcinoma, the innermost layer of the bladder becomes malignant. It is the most prevalent type of bladder carcinoma, 90% of all bladder carcinomas. It is also called Urothelial Carcinoma (UCC).

2.    Squamous Cell Carcinoma:

Squamous cells are present below the transitional cell layer of the bladder and are formed in reaction to irritation or inflammation in the bladder. Sometimes these cells become cancerous with time and form squamous cell carcinoma. It is less prevalent and occurs in only 4% of the cases.

3.    Adenocarcinoma:

Adenocarcinomas develop from glandular cells. It is the least prevalent type of carcinoma and occurs in only 2% of the cases.

Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

1.    Hematuria:

Hematuria is blood in the urine. This is primarily the first sign of bladder cancer, but this is not always true. Blood can be due to other reasons too. Hematuria can of other causes.

Hematuria can be of 2 types;

• Gross Hematuria:

In gross hematuria, there is enough amount of blood in the urine that the patient can easily notice. Urine color may be changed to orange, pink, or dark red.

• Microscopic Hematuria:

In microscopic hematuria, only a very small amount of urine is present in the blood. The color of urine doesn’t change, and most patients are unaware of the blood. It is only found in urine analysis.

2.    Polyuria (frequent urination)

Another important sign of bladder cancer is frequent urination, irrespective of the water intake of the patient. Patients complain of excessive urination than their water intake.

3.    Pain or burning sensation during micturition

Patients mostly complain of either pain or burning sensation during urination. Some patients complain of an uncomfortable feeling which can either be pain or burning, or a combination of both.

4.    Overactive bladder

The patient will get a strong urge to urinate, even when the bladder is not full. The patient will have to go every time after the urge, but a little bit comes out.

5.    Nocturia

In Nocturia, the patient will have to wake up multiple times at night to urinate. This can be a symptom of bladder cancer.

6.    Problems during urination

Patients may have problems during urination, like a little bit of urine or a weak or disrupted urine stream.

Symptoms of Advanced Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer can be invasive and may spread to other organs. Then symptoms will be as per the organ to which it spread. But some common symptoms will appear when bladder cancer metastasizes to other organs, bones, or lymph nodes. These are;

●      Urinary retention

Patients complain that they want to urinate but can’t. Despite the urge to urinate, they are unable to do so.

●      Lower back pain

As the bladder is located in the lower abdomen or pelvic region. After the spread of the tumor to the neighboring tissues, there can be a pain in the lower back or on either side of the lower body, depending on the structures involved.

●      Anorexia

Anorexia is a loss of appetite. Due to this loss of appetite, there is a visible weight loss in a patient with bladder cancer.

●      Fatigue

The patient will feel weakness and tiredness despite doing anything.

●      Peripheral edema

There is evident swelling in the feet of patients with bladder cancer.

●      Bone pain

In the advanced stages of bladder cancer, bone pain is a common symptom. 

These symptoms are not necessarily caused by bladder cancer, and they can be because of other reasons like urinary tract infections. So it is necessary to have them checked and confirmed that the symptoms of Cancer are due to any other reason. 

How to Recognize It

Tests and methods that may be used to diagnose bladder cancer include the following:

●      Cystoscopy

Make an examination of the interior of your bladder with a scope (cystoscopy). The procedure is performed by inserting a thin, narrow tube (cystoscope) into your urethra, which allows your doctor to examine your bladder. The cystoscope is equipped with a lens that allows your doctor to view your urethra and bladder, allowing him or her to check for symptoms of illness. Cystoscopy can be performed in either a doctor’s office or a hospital setting.

●      Biopsy

Taking a sample of tissue for testing is a common practice (biopsy). As part of a cystoscopy procedure, your doctor may insert a specific instrument through the scope and into your bladder in order to collect a cell sample (biopsy) for testing. This surgery is referred to as transurethral resection of bladder tumor in some circles (TURBT). TURBT is also effective in the treatment of bladder cancer.

●      Urine cytology

Taking a urine sample for examination (urine cytology). Urine cytology is a technique in which a sample of your urine is examined under a microscope to determine whether or not you have cancer cells.

●      Imaging Tests

Radiology procedures like the CT urogram or retrograde pyelogram, which allow your doctor to inspect the architecture of your urinary system, are used to diagnose kidney disease.

An intravenous injection of contrast dye is given into a vein in your hand, and the dye is allowed to run into your kidneys, ureters, and bladder. In this test, X-ray pictures are obtained to offer a complete look at your urinary system, which can aid your doctor in identifying any spots that may be cancerous in the future.

In order to acquire a comprehensive look at the upper urinary system, a retrograde pyelogram is performed using X-rays. Your doctor will thread a small tube (catheter) into your urethra and into your bladder in order to inject contrast dye into your ureters during this procedure. After that, the dye is allowed to flow into your kidneys while X-ray pictures are taken.

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