All Blood Tests

There are many different treatments available for people diagnosed with bladder cancer. Treatment depends mainly on the stage of cancer. A cancer caught early enough will require less dramatic measures than more advanced cancers. The most common treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In certain cases, your doctor may combine two or more treatment choices, most commonly combining surgery with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

The very common symptom of Bladder cancer is the occurrence of blood in the urine and it is known as Hematuria. The blood in the urine can moreover be seen with the naked eye and it is known as Gross Hematuria and sometimes it might be noticeable and identified only when it is checked in a laboratory and such types are known as Microscopic Hematuria. These two kinds will be there in 80% of patients having bladder cancer. As a result, it is very much compulsory to check with a physician when a person has noted the occurrence blood in the urine.

Treatment for Bladder Cancer

Treatments include bladder cancer surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and biologic therapy. The stage and grade of the cancer provides important information and can help guide treatment. Superficial bladder tumors are surgically removed with chemotherapy being added to the treatment regime to help prevent recurrence. Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion (an external bag) is usually undertaken for invasive bladder cancer.

Several new compounds have shown activity against transitional cell bladder cancer and are now being tested in combination chemotherapy trials. BCG immunotherapy is the most effective intravesical therapy and involves a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis. Immunotherapy in the form of BCG instillation is also used to treat and prevent the recurrence of superficial tumors. Alternative bladder cancer treatments such as herbal treatment may also be of some benefit.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture traditional Chinese Medicine regards cancer as an energy imbalance caused by any number of factors, including poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, environmental toxins, or overwork.

Acupuncture may be used to improve the flow of energy along the bladder meridian and by targeting specific acupoints, which might offer pain relief. It also can be used to help reduce the negative side effects of radiation or chemotherapy.

This study investigated the following lifestyle habits and their ability to increase or reduce risk for urinary bladder cancer:

Cigarette Smoking – Cigarette Smoking was found to increase the risk of developing urinary bladder cancer. The increased risk was more significant in women than men.

Drinking cocoa – Interestingly enough, drinking cocoa was associated with an elevation in risk of urinary bladder cancer in men, but not in women.

Hair Color – Women who used hair color had a slightly elevated risk of developing urinary bladder cancer if they also smoke. However, non smoking women had no significant risk factor if they used hair color.

Treatment options depend on the stage of bladder cancer. Treatment for urinary incontinence varies according to the type of incontinence. It can include both drugs and surgery. The chance of recovery from the disease (prognosis) and the choice of treatment for bladder cancer depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it’s just in the lining of the bladder or has spread to other places in the body) and the patient’s general state of health. A qualified physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.