Bladder cancer Flashcards
Define
DEFINITION: malignancy of bladder cells
Most bladder cancers are transitional cell carcinomas
RARELY, bladder cancers may be squamous cell carcinomas associated with chronic inflammation (e.g. schistosomiasis)
Causes
UNKNOWN
Risk factors
Smoking
Dye stuffs (naphthylamines and benzidine)
Cyclophosphamide treatment
Pelvic irradiation
Chronic UTIs
Schistosomiasis
Epidemiology
2% of cancers
2nd most common cancer of the genitourinary tract
2-3 x more common in MALES
Peak incidence: 50-70 yrs
Symptoms
Painless macroscopic haematuria
Irritative/storage symptoms
Frequency
Urgency
Nocturia
Recurrent UTIs
Rarely: ureteral obstruction
Signs
Often NO SIGNS
Bimanual examination may be performed as part of disease staging
Investigations
Cystoscopy - allows visualisation, biopsy or removal
Ultrasound
Intravenous urography
CT/MRI for staging