Bladder Cancer
What is the bladder?
The bladder is a hollow and muscular organ that collects and stores urine. It sits in the lower part of the abdomen (tummy) called the pelvis.
The inside of the bladder is covered with a lining, this is called the urothelium and this stops the urine being absorbed back into the body.
Urine is produced by the kidneys and drains from your kidneys to the bladder through long tubes called ureters. Once your bladder is full it sends a message to the brain, giving you the sensation of needing to go to the toilet. The bladder muscle tightens and squeezes the urine out of the body through the urethra at the bottom of the bladder.
Diagnosing bladder cancer
Most people are diagnosed after going to see their GP when they notice symptoms and then referred to see a Urologist or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at the hospital. There they may undergo a number of tests and investigations, such as:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Flexible cystoscopy – This is where a tiny camera is passed through the urethra and into the bladder to have a look inside, this is usually done under local anaesthetic
- Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI scan or bone scan
Treatments for bladder cancer
There are a number of treatments for bladder cancer, dependant on the type and grade of cancer:
- Cystectomy (removal of the bladder)
- TURBT (resection of the bladder)
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy (known as BCG)
- Radiotherapy
Patients who are diagnosed with bladder cancer may be referred to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton for treatment.
Below you will find some useful information regarding bladder cancer. You can navigate your way around these websites in your own time.
This website provide a lot of information regarding bladder cancer diagnostics, investigations, treatments, side effects, emotional support and further support that’s available.
