As per the system concerned, Bladder cancer is a common form of urological cancers or excretory system originated cancers. The prime concern regarding bladder cancer is its highest recurrence rate. It is one of the most recurrent urological cancers. The common form of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma.

What is bladder cancer?

Urinary bladder is an important organ of our excretory system and an essential part of urinary tract. The healthy bladder lining is called urothelium and when the cells of bladder lining starts  growing abnormally in an uncontrolled and dys-synchronized manner forming a malignant mass then it is named as bladder cancer.

Almost 90% of the bladder cancers are urothelial carcinoma which are also called as Transitional cell carcinoma or TCC. Squamous cell carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma are two other varieties which accounts for less than 5% of the bladder cancers.

What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?

Common symptom is the haematuria ie. blood in urine. It may not be regular or the blood may not be evident as it may appear all of a sudden and go on its own. Sometimes it may come as brownish urine.

Some of the less common symptoms include the presentation of  UTI like frequent urge of urination, burning urine, pelvic pain etc.

Differential diagnosis

Having blood in urine is not confirmatory for bladder cancer. Other conditions when you may have blood in urine are

Urinary tract infection

Kidney infection or kidney stones

Prostate pathology in males

STDs etc

What are the causes/ risk Factors for bladder cancer

- Previous history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy exposure to areas near to urinary bladder like colon, uterus, cervix or rectal area.

- Repeated or long term urinary tract infections and chronic renal, urethral or bladder stones.

- Chronic patient and under treatment for type-2 diabetes mellitus for prolonged period.

- Certain occupational hazards like working in plastic, rubber, dyes manufacturing companies and regular exposure to petrol or diesel fumes.

- Heavy and chronic smokers

- Increased BMI and abdominal obesity.

Early diagnosis leads to recovery from bladder cancer

Although all the cases of haematuria are not bladder cancer, you should consult your doctor when you notify such episodes. Tests for diagnosis include

- Cystoscopy

- Radiological tests like CT Scan and MRI

- Diagnostic Transurethral Resection of Bladder tumour if cystoscopy detects abnormal growth.

Bladder cancer awareness/ Steps to be taken for prevention/ Early detection

- Screening tests like USG Pelvis, X ray  KUB follow ups to be performed in high risk groups having family history of urological cancers or chemicals/radiation exposure prone individuals.

- Adoption of healthy diet and lifestyle, avoidance of smoking

- To follow Adharaniya Vega(non- suppression of natural urges) principle as per Ayurveda in day to day lifestyle, ie. timely evacuation of urinary urges without holding for prolonged periods.

- In case of any diseases including urological system, to adopt prompt measures to overcome the disease pathology.

- To avoid occupational hazards as much as possible and adopt pre-cautionary measures in required fields.

- To avoid or minimise treatment hazards, adopt alternative Ayurvedic system to treat/ heal naturally without any side effects.

- To resist ascending infections and use of timely measures in case of infections related to uro-genital organs.

Timely detection and timely intervention of Bladder cancer leads to success in treatment.

Be aware and stay safe.