Effective Treatments May Be Found Through Bladder Cancer Research

by Elena McDowell

The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine until it can be eliminated. It is located in the lower abdomen, which is typically where one feels pressure when he or she must urinate. Bladder cancer research has concluded that this disease is the 6th most common type of cancer in the Western Hemisphere. Fortunately, treatments are available if the condition is caught early, which can potentially save the patient's life.

Symptoms include low back pain, pain upon urination, frequency, and blood in one's urine. However, cysts and infections can also cause the symptoms, and therefore they are not always indicative of a malignancy. Therefore, whenever such symptoms are present, individuals are wise to seek evaluation by a medical professional.

Risk factors for developing this disease include exposure to certain chemicals and cigarette smoking. The sulfur contained in many tobacco products can result in this type of cancer. This is because this substance irritates the lining of the bladder, making it more susceptible to the proliferation of free radicals.

For reasons that are not yet know, males are at a higher risk for this disease than females. Additionally, Caucasians are more susceptible to bladder malignancies than Africans or Asians. Again, it has not yet been determined why this is the case. Furthermore, the risk of developing any kind of malignancy increases as individuals grow older. This may be due to the weakening of the immune system that naturally occurs with age, or hereditary factors that do not surface until late in life.

Therapy for this kind of cancer typically includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. In certain cases, biologic treatment is used also. The latter is a technique developed to encourage a person's own immune system to combat any improper cell division taking place in his or her body. Even though additional studies are needed with regard to the effectiveness of this technique, healthcare researchers are optimistic after reviewing several preliminary studies on this topic.

The stage of the cancer will determine the kind of treatment recommended. If caught early, before other organs have been invaded, commonly referred to as stage I, surgery is usually the treatment of choice. If nearby organs have been invaded, such as with stage II malignancies, radiation is usually recommended. For some stage II patients, radiation is used in conjunction with chemotherapy. This will depend on the region to which the malignant cells have traveled. Tumors classified as stage IV or stage III are typically treated with chemotherapy, or combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

For low-risk superficial tumors, such as those seen with stage I malignancies, the chances of recurrence are approximately 15 percent. Interestingly, however, when they do recur, the tumors are typically no more aggressive than those the person experienced originally. This means that if the disease was caught early and subsequently cured the first time, it is likely that this will be the outcome if it returns.

Extensive <A href="http://www.seizetheribbon.com">bladder cancer research</A> projects are currently underway to determine if there are more effective ways to both prevent and treat this condition. Although the disease is not common, it can be fatal. This is why anyone who notices the aforementioned symptoms should schedule an appointment with a medical professional as soon as possible.