| Bladder cancer is a tumor within the bladder, usually | | | | vagina or uterus. |
| starting with the cells lining the bladder walls. These | | | | Stage 4 - Tumors have spread into the lymph nodes |
| abnormal cells multiply without control. The tumor | | | | or other areas of the body such as the liver, lungs |
| may or may not be malignant depending on the | | | | and bones. |
| invasiveness of the type of cancer involved. The | | | | The following symptoms of bladder cancer can also |
| cause of bladder cancer is uncertain as with most | | | | be associated with non-cancerous conditions. |
| types of cancer. Studies have shown that several | | | | Nerveless any symptom of a suspicious nature should |
| risk factors may contribute to the development of | | | | be always evaluated by a trained urologist. Early |
| bladder cancer. | | | | detection is critical in the successful outcome of all |
| About 25 percent of bladder cancer can be attributed | | | | cancer treatments. |
| to the exposure to cancer-causing chemicals or | | | | A medical professional should always be consulted if |
| carcinogens in the workplace. The chemicals that | | | | you have blood in the urine or if the urine becomes |
| belong to the Arylamines and Benzidine families are | | | | cloudy. The color of ones urine does give great |
| considered the most responsible. Arylamines | | | | insight into the internal condition of the urinary track. |
| exposure used to be very high in Dye, Rubber, | | | | Urinary frequency, increased frequency in the need |
| Aluminum, Leather industry workers along with truck | | | | to urinate. This could also be sign of a bladder |
| drivers and pesticide applicators but most arylamines | | | | infection called cystitis, bladder irritation called |
| usage has been reduced in the workplace because of | | | | interstitial cystitis, or from a kidney stone. |
| government regulation. | | | | Painful urination could also be caused by a bladder |
| Radiation therapy for women with cervical cancer | | | | infection, kidney stone or another serious problem. |
| have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer. | | | | Urinary urgency just after using the restroom and |
| Certain drugs are known to result in a high risk factor | | | | when you do you only urinate small amounts. Could |
| to developing bladder cancer such as chemotherapy | | | | be a bladder infection called cystitis, bladder irritation |
| agent cyclophosphamide and the analgesic phenacetin. | | | | called interstitial cystitis, or from a kidney stone. |
| Repeated or chronic bladder infections may also lead | | | | Urinary incontinence. Some women report this |
| to the type of cancer called squamous cell bladder | | | | symptom after childbirth and may be caused from a |
| cancer. This type of bladder cancer is very slow | | | | weakness in the bladder due to childbirth or ageing. |
| growing and as with all cancers, early detection can | | | | This weakness is called stress incontinence. |
| lead to a higher cure rate. | | | | Suggested reading the kegel exercise and vaginal |
| According to the TNM (tumor, lymph node, and | | | | weight training. |
| metastases) classification system the cancer stage is | | | | Common Vitamins and over the counter products can |
| classified by the location, size and aggressiveness . | | | | help with treating Bladder problems such as Vitamin |
| Recently the TNM staging system has become very | | | | A, Cranberry Juice, and L-cysteine. |
| popular with the medical industry to describe all types | | | | Vitamin A deficiency may increase the risk of cancers |
| of cancer. The TNM staging system is divided into 5 | | | | of the lung, larynx, bladder, esophagus, stomach, |
| main stages along with several sub stages using the | | | | colon, rectum and prostate. |
| following scale. | | | | Cranberry Juice may also help prevent kidney and |
| Stage 0 - Tumors limited to the bladder lining but do | | | | bladder infections. If you are taking COUMADIN then |
| not extend through the bladder wall lining. | | | | check with your doctor before using cranberry. |
| Stage 1 - Tumors involve the layer beyond the lining | | | | L-cysteine is another immune system stimulant but |
| of the bladder and beyond but do not involve the | | | | should always be taken in conjunction with Vitamin C |
| muscles of the bladder. | | | | to reduce the risk of developing stone formation in |
| Stage 2 - Tumors involve the muscles in the bladder. | | | | the kidneys and bladder. |
| Stage 3 - Tumors involve the fatty tissue | | | | Always consult your doctor before using this |
| surrounding the bladder, the prostate gland, the | | | | information. |