-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
urinary system
bladder cancer
diagnoses

definition and etiology

definition:
Malignancy of the urinary bladder.

etiology:
In the US, there are 40,000 new cases of bladder cancer a year, and 11,000 deaths/year due to the disease. It is occurs more frequently in males, and usually seen in patients over 40 years old. Known carcinogens to the bladder include:
• Aniline dyes: In cigarettes, dyes, rubber processing, and chemical industries (associated with transitional tumors, the most common type).
• Chronic irritation: e.g. from schistosoma (associated with squamous cell carcinoma).

signs and symptoms

signs and symptoms:
• Hematuria: gross and microscopic.
• Dysuria.
• Frequency.
• Urgency.
• Pain: if there is infection or invasion.
• Palpable suprapubic mass in the later stages.

lab findings:
• Filling defects of the bladder during cystogram or in the cystographic portion of the IVP.
• (+) urinary cytology for malignancy.
• Diagnosis is by cytoscopy and biopsy.
• CT scan or ultrasound for staging.

course and prognosis

Squamous cell carcinoma is highly invasive and offers the poorest prognosis. Conventional treatment is by removal of the tumor and/or part or all of the bladder. Recurrences are common.

differential diagnosis

• Urinary tract infection.
• Idiopathic recurrent renal hematuria.


footnotes