While these numbers may seem alarming to some, the good news is that bladder cancer, when diagnosed and treated in its early stages, often can be cured. In order to have the best chance to survive bladder cancer and continue to live a full and happy life, it is essential that the patient reports any symptoms associated with the condition early to allow the medical team the best opportunity to effect successful treatment.
If you have any symptoms listed in this article or any other concerning signs that you may need medical intervention, speak to your doctor immediately. Your doctor can perform an examination, order any appropriate tests and refer you to a urologist if necessary. The more quickly all of these things happen, the higher the likelihood of a successful outcome.
10 Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
There has been little success in understanding the causes of bladder cancer, but there are some environmental or lifestyle risk factors that have been linked to bladder cancer diagnoses. For example, men are almost four times more likely to be affected by bladder cancer than women, and cancer is much more frequently diagnosed in patients who are older than 55. Smoking is believed to increase the chance of bladder cancer, as are some chemicals used in industrial and service capacities.
The following list of symptoms of bladder cancer is intended as a guide for you to monitor your health and to know when to speak to your doctor about your concerns.
- Blood in your urine: If you notice that there’s blood in the toilet bowl or in your urine stream when you go to the bathroom, you should alert your physician right away. The blood may change the color from a light pink or orange to a dark or bright red. This is one of the prime symptoms of bladder cancer and a reason why early detection is so often possible. Don’t panic if you have this symptom, though. There are several other factors that can cause blood to appear in your pee. Kidney stones, an infection or a benign tumor are also common causes of blood in the urine.
- Frequent urination: Another common complaint among bladder cancer patients is the need to urinate more often than usual. This symptom can be caused by less serious conditions such as a kidney or bladder infection, but you should always see your doctor to rule out the possibility of bladder cancer and to resolve any other health concerns you may have.
- Painful urination: If you feel a burning or painful sensation when you pee, see your doctor. Again, ruling out bladder cancer is always best. You may simply have an infection, but it’s best to seek medical advice.
- Urgent urination: Another typical complaint that may signal bladder cancer is a feeling of needing to urinate immediately, even when you know your bladder is not full.
- Inability to urinate: The inability to urinate can become a serious health problem for multiple reasons. Seek medical attention right away and be sure to tell your healthcare team what other symptoms you may have experienced recently.
- Swelling in the feet: If you notice your feet are puffy and swollen, you should see your doctor. This could be another sign of bladder cancer.
- Bone pain: This is a symptom that can warn that cancer has moved into other areas of your body -- namely the bones. If you feel aches and pain in your bones, tell your physician and be sure to list all other ailments at your examination.
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss: This is a common symptom of many cancers, and any time that you experience anorexic ailments or unexpected weight loss, share that information with your healthcare provider. While there are many other possible explanations for these complaints, you should always make sure your doctor rules out the most serious concerns.
- Pain in the lower back: Pain in the lower back can signal a potential diagnosis of bladder cancer, especially if the pain is on one side only.
- Pelvic pain: Pain in the pelvic region is cause for concern and may be a symptom of bladder cancer.
If you are diagnosed with cancer, there are multiple facets of the treatment process, and chances for a full recovery are often very good when the cancer is caught in its early stages. Depending on whether the bladder cancer is superficial or muscle-invasive, a mild or more aggressive plan for treating the cancer will be established. For less serious cases, a procedure known as TURBT may be conducted to remove the cancerous cells and will only require follow up cystoscopy to monitor the condition. For more serious cases, the bladder is sometimes removed from the body entirely in a major surgical procedure that can cause ongoing side effects and health concerns. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments, along with medications and follow-up treatments, may be necessary for more serious cases of bladder cancer.
If you feel that you may have any of the symptoms listed in this article, don’t wait to speak to your physician. Make an appointment today to discuss your concerns and seek answers.