Bladder cancer affects an estimated 68,000 men and women each year. The skilled team at Advanced Urology of South Florida provide expert bladder cancer diagnosis and care to patients in Delray Beach, Florida and the surrounding communities. If you’re experiencing symptoms like pelvic discomfort, painful urination, or blood in your urine, call Advanced Urology of South Florida or book an appointment online today.
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. It usually develops in the cells lining the inside of your bladder, but it can occur in other parts of the urinary tract as well.
There are several types of bladder cancer, including:
Most cases of bladder cancer receive an early diagnosis, making it a highly treatable disease.
Symptoms of bladder cancer usually include:
In the more advanced stages of bladder cancer, you may also experience fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
The exact cause of bladder cancer isn’t known, but it occurs when your bladder cells grow abnormally. This change in cell growth is often due to tobacco use, exposure to chemicals or radiation, or continuous bladder irritation. Parasitic infections can also trigger cell changes in the bladder.
Your chances of developing bladder cancer can increase due to several factors, especially being a white male over 40 years of age. Additional factors that increase your chances of bladder cancer include smoking, exposure to certain chemicals like arsenic, and undergoing previous cancer treatment.
Your risks of developing bladder cancer are also higher if you have a family history of bladder cancer or nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
During your appointment, your Advanced Urology of South Florida doctor may perform a variety of tests to reach a diagnosis, such as:
Your doctor develops a treatment strategy based on your bladder cancer type and its stage. Bladder cancer therapies usually include removing the bladder or portions of it; chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy; or clinical drug trials.
Advanced Urology of South Florida also offers bladder instillation, a combination drug therapy delivered directly to the bladder to help you manage pain and symptoms like discomfort while urinating as well as urinary urgency and frequency.
To learn more about bladder cancer diagnosis and treatments, call Advanced Urology of South Florida or schedule an appointment online.