Bladder cancer COPY Flashcards
What is bladder cancer?
Bladder cancer is the second most common urological cancer, primarily affecting males aged 50 to 80 years.
What factors increase the risk of bladder cancer?
Current or previous smokers (within 20 years) have a 2-5 fold increased risk. Exposure to hydrocarbons like 2-Naphthylamine also increases risk.
What is a common cause of squamous cell carcinomas in endemic regions?
Chronic bladder inflammation from Schistosomiasis infection.
What are the types of bladder malignancies?
Urothelial carcinoma (>90% of cases), squamous cell carcinoma (1-7%), and adenocarcinoma (2%).
What is the growth pattern of urothelial carcinomas?
They may arise as solitary lesions or multifocal due to ‘field change’. Up to 70% have a papillary growth pattern.
What is the prognosis for superficial urothelial carcinomas?
Superficial tumours usually have a better prognosis.
What is the risk of metastasis for T3 disease or worse?
There is a 30% (or higher) risk of regional or distant lymph node metastasis.
What does T0 indicate in TNM staging?
T0 indicates no evidence of tumour.
What does T2a indicate in TNM staging?
T2a indicates the tumour invades superficial muscularis propria (inner half).
What is the most common presentation of bladder cancer?
Most patients (85%) present with painless, macroscopic haematuria.
What is the significance of incidental microscopic haematuria in females over 50?
Up to 10% may be found to have a malignancy once infection is excluded.
What procedures are typically used for staging bladder cancer?
Cystoscopy and biopsies or TURBT provide histological diagnosis and invasion depth.
What is the treatment for superficial lesions?
Superficial lesions may be managed using TURBT in isolation.
What is the prognosis for T1 bladder cancer?
The prognosis for T1 is 90%.
TNM staging and descriptions
