Bladder cancer: the importance of early diagnosis

The bladder tumor is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract. In fact, it is the seventh most common tumor in men and women seventeenth. In Spain, this disease has the highest rate across Europe, appearing more regularly in patients older than 55 years (90%).

Risk factors for bladder cancer

The two most important carcinogenic factors that influence their appearance are, on the one hand, cigarette consumption and, on the other occupational exposure.

Elderly men with a long history of smoking patients, as we have seen, are the highest risk group. Taking into account the data, cigarette smokers are two to four times greater risk of bladder cancer than nonsmokers. This risk is increased depending on the amount and duration of smoking. In other words: if consumption is greater and prolonged in time, the risk rises.

In relation to occupational exposure, the second carcinogen accounts for 10% of all cases. A patient is exposed repeatedly and prolonged exposure to various chemical agents have more risk of suffering from a bladder tumor. Among the most important chemicals are aromatic amines, and more professions are exposed to this carcinogen painters, metalworkers and paper, barnizadores and hairdressers.

Symptoms of bladder cancer

The first symptom or most telling sign is hematuria Bladder Cancer, also known as blood in the urine. If the patient has this anomaly, although it has been in isolation or intermittent, it is mandatory for an urgent assessment by professional in Urology .

Bladder cancer diagnosis

In the first consultation, the doctor not only perform a thorough scan, also a patient imaging study. In fact, abdominal ultrasound is essential to determine the nature and stage of the disease. On many other occasions and to achieve optimal approach to the disease, an endoscopic examination of the bladder is required.

Many specialized and focused on urology centers perform this endoscopic examination. Specifically, one of them is done through a flexible digital videouretrocistoscopio, which allows discarding or diagnose the presence of cancer and early action with little discomfort.

After diagnosis, the treatment will consist of performing a subsequent transurethral bladder tumor removal, adapting after the results obtained from the detailed analysis of the sample controls.