This article looks at transitional cell carcinoma, its signs and symptoms, and its causes and risk factors.
It also discusses diagnosis, staging, treatment, and prevention.
In the earlierprecancer stage, symptoms can often be vague to nonexistent.
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It is typically only when the cancer is advanced that many of the symptoms appear.
When symptoms do appear, they may resemble the symptoms of a severe kidney infection.
You may have painful urination and lower back or kidney pain.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Around 60% of new diagnoses and 70% of deaths are in people over 65.
A urine cytology test can also be used to look for cancer cells in urine.
This is a less reliable form of diagnosis, however.
Newer technologies can identify proteins and other substances in urine associated with TCC.
These include the Urovysion and Immunocyt tests.
There is even a prescription home test known as Bladderchek.
This test can detect a protein calledNMP22commonly found at higher levels in people with bladder cancer.
During this test, it is inserted into the urethra to view the bladder.
A biopsy involves taking a sample of suspicious tissue for examination by apathologist.
Depending on the pop in of cystoscope used, the procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia.
Cancer Staging
If a cancer diagnosis is made, the oncologist will classify it by stage.
This is done using the TNM staging system.
Metastasis is when cancer spreads to distant parts of the body.
The goal is to neither undertreat or overtreat the cancer.
Earlier diagnosis, however, is almost always associated with better outcomes.
Some of the treatments are relatively simple with high cure rates.
Others are more extensive and may require both primary andadjunctive(secondary) therapies.
This is done with an electrocautery rig attached to the end of a cystoscope.
The procedure may be followed with a short course of chemotherapy.
Stage II and III Cancers
Thesearemore difficult to treat.
They require extensive removal of any affected tissue.
A partial cystectomy may be performed in a small handful of stage II cases but never stage III.
Chemotherapy may be given either before or after surgery, depending largely on the size of the tumor.
Radiation may also be used as an adjuvant therapy but is almost never used on its own.
Stage IV Cancers
Stage IV cancers are very hard to get rid of.
Chemotherapy with or without radiation is typically the first-line treatment with the aim of shrinking the size of tumors.
Drug Therapies
Traditional chemotherapy drugs are commonly used in combination therapy.
These may include:
These drugs are cytotoxic, meaning they are toxic to living cells.
They work by targeting fast-replicating cells like cancer.
Newer generation drugs work differently by stimulating the immune system to fight the cancer.
Some examples include:
Thesemonoclonal antibodiesare injected into the body.
They immediately seek out cancer cells, binding to them and signaling other immune cells to attack.
This targeted form ofimmunotherapycan shrink tumors and prevent cancer from progressing.
It is used primarily to extend the life of people with advanced, inoperable, or metastatic TCC.
Treatment is given intravenously over 60 minutes, usually every two weeks.
Prevention
Prevention of TCC starts with factors it’s possible for you to control.
Of these, cigarettes are key.
The facts are simple: bladder cancer is the second most common smoking-related malignancy behind lung cancer.
Quittingcan be difficult and often requires several attempts.
Most insurance plans, however,cover some or all of the costof smoking cessation treatment.
Other modifiable factors can also contribute to a reduction in risk.
The findings were significantly limited since other factors like age and smoking were not considered.
These include proper hydration, physical activity, a healthy diet, and weight loss if you are obese.
Summary
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in America.
Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (TCC).
TCC is slow growing and usually has no symptoms in the early stages.
Smoking is one of the largest risk factors for TCC.
Other risk factors include older age, being male, and being obese.
TCC has higher survival rates if caught in the early stages.
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