2023-05-06 11:00:00
Bladder cancer, at the beginning of the disease, shares symptoms with other pathologies of less complexity, which generates, with some frequency, a delay in reaching the diagnosis. For this reason, as indicated by the specialists consulted by THE NATIONto achieve early detection and prevent the disease from becoming more complex you have to be attentive to the warning signs and know that they may be linked to this picture. The recommendation is released today when the World Bladder Cancer Daywhich is the seventh most diagnosed in men and the tenth when both genders are considered.
Paula Grinsteinurologist and member of the Argentine Center of Urologyexplains that in many cases, this type of condition has no symptoms, but when it does, the main warning sign is the appearance of blood in the urine, known as “hematuria”, which is not specific to cancer, although it should be a reason to see a doctor. The color of the urine will depend on the amount of blood, but it is usually orange, pink, or dark red. Other signs are urinary discomfort, such as the need to urinate frequently and in small amounts, or pain or burning when doing so, among others.
Generally, Grinstein points out, the symptoms are intermittent. That is why, sometimes, it is not given importance and months, or even years, pass until there are more intense symptoms and the person goes to a specialist.
Gustavo Villoldodeputy head of the Urological Surgery Service of the Alexander Fleming Institute, describes that, in approximately 15% of cases, the disease presents in an advanced manner and there it can generate local pain, such as discomfort in the back or a sensation similar to renal colic.
One of the main risk factors that can trigger the condition is smoking or being exposed to hydrocarbons, dyes, among other toxins that are inhaled and then eliminated through urine. For example, cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which about 70 are carcinogenic and toxic, such as tars, nicotine, arsenic, formaldehyde, polonium 210, cadmium, and nickel.
“Tobacco is attributed to around 50% of all diagnosed cases of bladder cancer since it triples the risk of suffering it. With each cigarette, a mixture of these harmful compounds is inhaled, which are absorbed into the blood, passed through the kidneys, and excreted in the urine. While the urine remains in the bladder to be expelled, this organ is exposed for several hours to these highly concentrated chemicals and this presence for years causes irritative changes that can lead to cancer,” says Grinstein.
The specialist points out that quitting smoking limits the chance of developing bladder, esophageal, or kidney cancer within 10 years and decreases the chance of developing lung cancer by 50% within 10 to 15 years.
Although this type of cancer is more frequent in men than in women, and this is so because the former have higher rates of smoking, Villoldo warns that in recent years there has been an average of four cases in men each in women, to a two to one ratio
To detect a tumor with these characteristics, the first studies indicated, explains Grinstein, is a PAP test in the bladder and an ultrasound to look for polyps. A CT scan may also be requested. If there were to be a suspicious image, a study will be carried out through which they enter the bladder through the urethra with a camera and a sample of the suspicious body will be taken to later study it in the laboratory.
Once the cancer is detected, Villoldo explains that the way to treat it will vary according to the type of tumor. “There may be superficial tumors, which have less impact on the patient. These are the most frequent and can be cured with surgery and local treatments. Then there are the muscle-invasive presentations that are usually treated with chemotherapy, although other treatments may be possible. Finally, if you reach the stage where it is detected that there was metastasis and chemotherapy is always necessary there,” says the specialist.
At the same time, Villoldo regrets that little information is available in the country about this disease and, it often happens, that doctors take time to consider that the patient could be suffering from bladder cancer. “This tumor is considered an orphan disease, because it is a rare disease that usually affects middle and low socioeconomic sectors. And, since it is rare, the most modern treatments are only available in high-complexity centers, which are often not available in the interior of the country.”
“In summary, Since bladder cancer has a high cure rate if detected in its early stages, it is important to consult any bleeding or urinary symptoms, especially in smokers.”, concludes Grinstein.
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