Bladder Cancer: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the early symptoms of bladder cancer?
Painless gross hematuria is the most common symptom of bladder cancer; its intermittent nature means it is easily overlooked.Bladder irritation symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency, and dysuria.Obstruction by blood clots can lead to difficulty urinating.
2. How is bladder cancer classified?
Bladder cancer is categorized into two main types: non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive.Non-muscle-invasive cancer accounts for 70–80% of cases; while the prognosis is relatively good, the recurrence rate is high.Muscle-invasive cancer is highly malignant,
3. What are the surgical treatment options for bladder cancer?
Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is the standard treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.Muscle-invasive bladder cancer requires radical cystectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and urinary diversion.
4. What is minimally invasive treatment for bladder cancer?
Transurethral resection and laser resection of bladder tumors are performed via the urethra, requiring no external skin incisions.Early-stage tumors can be treated on an outpatient basis.
5. What is the role of intravesical instillation therapy?
Postoperative bladder instillation can reduce the risk of recurrence.Chemotherapy agents such as mitomycin and epirubicin act directly on the bladder mucosa.BCG instillation kills cancer cells by activating a local immune response.
6. How is urine voided after a radical cystectomy?
Ileal conduit surgery drains urine to a stoma on the abdominal wall, requiring the use of a collection bag.Orthotopic neobladder surgery uses a segment of the ileum to reconstruct the bladder, allowing for voiding through the urethra and resulting in a higher quality of life.
7. Follow-up after bladder cancer treatment?
Patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer require regular follow-up cystoscopy after surgery—every three months for the first two years.For muscle-invasive bladder cancer, follow-up CT scans are required every 3–6 months post-surgery.
