bladder cancer

(noun)

Bladder cancer is any of several types of malignancy arising from the epithelial lining (i.e., "the urothelium") of the urinary bladder.

Related Terms

Examples of bladder cancer in the following topics:

  • Urinary Bladder Cancer

    • Bladder cancer refers to any type of malignancy arising from the epithelium of the urinary bladder.
    • Bladder cancer is any of several types of malignancy arising from the epithelial lining (i.e., the urothelium) of the urinary bladder.
    • Non-epithelial cancers (such as lymphoma or sarcoma) rarely affect the bladder, but these are not properly included in the colloquial term "bladder cancer. " Bladder cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder.
    • The most common type of bladder cancer recapitulates the normal histology of the urothelium, and is known as transitional cell carcinoma.
    • These signs and symptoms are not specific to bladder cancer, and are also caused by non-cancerous conditions, including prostate infections, over-active bladder, and cystitis.

  • Effects of Smoking

    • Figure 1 shows the correlation between smoking and lung cancer.
    • Among the diseases that can be caused by smoking are vascular stenosis, lung cancer, heart attacks, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
    • Tobacco use leads most commonly to diseases affecting the heart and lungs, with smoking being a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), and cancer (particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth, and pancreatic cancer).
    • The primary risks of tobacco usage include many forms of cancer, particularly lung cancer, kidney cancer, cancer of the larynx and head and neck, breast cancer, bladder cancer, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the pancreas, and stomach cancer.
    • There is some evidence suggesting a small increased risk of myeloid leukemia, squamous cell sinonasal cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, cancers of the gallbladder, the adrenal gland, the small intestine, and various childhood cancers.

  • Aging and the Urinary System

    • Additionally, changes in the bladder can occur.
    • The bladder wall changes with age.
    • The elastic tissue becomes tough, and the bladder becomes less stretchy.
    • Muscles weaken, and the bladder may not empty completely when urinating.
    • Urinary system cancers are associated with advanced age and are more common in the elderly, especially prostate cancer (men) and bladder cancer.

  • Cancer Immunology

    • Cancer immunology examines the interaction between cancer cells and the immune system.
    • Cancer immunology is the study of interactions between the immune system and cancer cells (also called tumors or malignancies).
    • The study of these viruses and their role in the development of various cancers is still continuing; however, a vaccine has been developed that can prevent infection of certain HPV strains, and thus prevent those HPV strains from causing cervical cancer, and possibly other cancers as well.
    • BCG immunotherapy for early stage (non-invasive) bladder cancer utilizes instillation of attenuated live bacteria into the bladder, and is effective in preventing recurrence in up to two thirds of cases.
    • Lung cancer has been demonstrated to potentially respond to immunotherapy.

  • Ureters

    • The ureters are two tubes that drain urine from each of the kidneys into the bladder.
    • The ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
    • After the urine enters the bladder from the ureters, small folds in the bladder mucosa act like valves to prevent the backward flow of the urine; these are called the ureteral valves.
    • Kidney stones and cancer are common diseases of the ureter.
    • Ureter cancer is often due to a malignant transformation of of the transitional epithelial tissue, which is more vulnerable to developing cancer cells compared to other tissues.

  • Prostate Disorders

    • The common prostate disorders are: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and prostate cancer.
    • The prostate is a gland located at the base of a man's bladder, behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum .
    • Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting older men in developed countries and a significant cause of death for elderly men (estimated by some specialists at 3%).
    • Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers.
    • Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, problems during sexual intercourse, or erectile dysfunction.

  • Levator Ani Injury and Urinary Stress Incontinence

    • Sometimes prostate cancer may also be associated with urinary incontinence.
    • Moreover, drugs or radiation used to treat prostate cancer can also cause incontinence.
    • Urethral pressure normally exceeds bladder pressure, resulting in urine remaining in the bladder.
    • Bladder symptoms affect women of all ages.
    • Men tend to experience incontinence less often than women due to the structure of the male urinary tract, although it is common with prostate cancer treatments.

  • Polyps in the Colon

    • Polyps are commonly found in the colon, stomach, nose, sinus(es), urinary bladder, and uterus.
    • Since most polyps are asymptomatic, they are usually discovered at the time of colon cancer screening.
    • Even though colon cancer is usually not found in polyps smaller than 2.5 cm, all polyps found are removed since the removal of polyps reduces the future likelihood of developing colon cancer.
    • The adenomatous polyp is considered pre-malignant; i.e. likely to develop into colon cancer.
    • They are unlikely to develop into colorectal cancer.

  • Urinary Bladder

    • The urinary bladder is a urine storage organ that is a part of the urinary tract.
    • The bladder is a hollow, muscular, and elastic organ that sits on the pelvic floor.
    • There are two sphincters, or muscular valves, that separate the bladder from the urethra.
    • The urinary bladder usually holds 300–350 ml of urine.
    • As urine accumulates, the walls of the bladder thin as it stretches, allowing the bladder to store larger amounts of urine without a significant rise in internal pressure of the bladder.

  • Urinary Incontinence

    • Enlarged prostate is the most common cause of incontinence in men after the age of 40; sometimes prostate cancer may also be associated with urinary incontinence.
    • Moreover drugs or radiation used to treat prostate cancer can also cause incontinence.
    • Disorders like multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Parkinson's disease, strokes, and spinal cord injury can all interfere with nerve function of the bladder.