The bladder is a small hollow organ of the urinary system. It is located in the pelvis and is responsible for the accumulation of urine (that is, liquid waste) and its removal from the body. Under the influence of various negative factors, pathological changes occur in the bladder, as a result of which certain diseases develop. In the list of the most dangerous diseases are bladder tumors.
Basic concepts
A bladder tumor is a group of pathological cells that appear in the tissues of the bladder, multiply rapidly and create a neoplasm. Such cells do not perform any work functions and block the normal functioning of the organ.
Among all cases of a tumor in the urinary system, a bladder tumor is 50-60%. Male representatives are most susceptible to diseases of this type, they develop 3-4 times more often than women. Speaking about the age category of patients, it should be indicated: the greatest number of cases was diagnosed in people who have reached the age of 55 years.
How does the growth of tumors
First you need to determine what any tumor is. Under this medical term, it is customary to understand a group of cells of an organ or tissue that differ in uncontrolled division.
The fact is that the cells of some tissues in the body are able to divide in a healthy person. It is in this way that tissue regeneration occurs. It takes place in case of damage to the tissue or organ (this is the healing process after injuries, cuts, surgical operations). Cell division in this case occurs when necessary and stops when a certain result is achieved. In this case, the body completely controls this phenomenon.
However, in certain cases, tissue proliferation occurs for no reason. VI then a group of cells forms a cluster, which is a tumor.
Causes of neoplasms
The main reason for the appearance of uncontrolled tissue proliferation is a cell mutation, which is expressed in the “breakdown” of the growth and development mechanism. The following factors can cause such changes:
- ionizing radiation - this can be either the effect of radiation, or a dose of radiation in the treatment of certain diseases;
- prolonged contact with certain chemical elements;
- poor environmental situation (polluted air or water);
- the presence of toxins in the human body.
Risk factors
It is noticed that some groups of people are more prone to the appearance of bladder tumors of one kind or another. Risk factors include:
- stagnation of urine (they usually occur in those people who endure for a long time and restrain urge);
- bladder pathology (including narrowing of the urethra and prostate adenoma in men);
- low immunity, including immunodeficiency in any manifestation;
- an age threshold older than 50 years (most patients belong to this age group);
- stones in the bladder - this factor is explained by constant microtraumas that arise as a result of the movement of stones);
- the presence of the human papilloma virus.
Types of tumors
All emerging neoplasms in the bladder are usually divided into 2 large categories:
Tumors of one type or another are distinguished by developmental features, growth rate, effect on the body as a whole, and the ability (or inability) to spread to neighboring tissues.
When identifying abnormal cells, doctors first need to identify the nature of the neoplasm, since the type of treatment and the level of risk to the patient's life depend on this.
Benign tumors
According to medical statistics, benign tumors of the bladder are a rare occurrence. They make up only 10% of the total number of neoplasms of this organ. Features in the histological structure allow us to divide them into several types.
- Epithelial neoplasms. They grow from the cells of the epithelium lining the surface of the bladder. These include adenomas and papillomas. The latter are most common among benign tumors.
- Non-epithelial tumors. In the list of such neoplasms, it is necessary to mention fibromyomas, fibromas, hemangiomas and neuromas.
- There are also intermediate varieties, including chromocytoma and endometriosis and myofibroblastic tumor of the bladder, however, they occur less often.
Malignant tumor
Malignant tumors of the bladder are neoplasms formed from abnormal cells. Such diseases have other names, for example: oncological or simply bladder cancer.
The frequency of development of this type of tumor is quite high - about 90% of all varieties of bladder tumors.
The identification of this type of disease requires immediate treatment, as these neoplasms differ in several ways.
Differences between benign and malignant neoplasms
Despite the fact that in medicine there is a division into benign and malignant tumors of the bladder, such differentiation is very arbitrary. The fact is that many fibromas, hemangiomas, papillomas and other neoplasms of a benign type eventually degenerate into cancerous tumors.
- Height. Benign formations are characterized by rather slow growth. In addition, the tumor body is limited to a capsule, for which pathological cells do not spread. Cancers, in contrast, are prone to rapid growth. Such a tumor is not limited by anything; its size can theoretically be infinitely large.
- Effect on tissue. Benign formations during growth push apart adjacent tissues, and oncological tissues of the bladder and other organs spread and destroy them. This process is called metastasis.
- Relapses. After removal, cancers are prone to relapse (reappearance), while adenomas, fibromas, and papillomas rarely reappear.
Symptoms
All types of tumors have a similar clinical picture, however, with benign neoplasms, the symptoms are much weaker. Cancerous diseases are almost asymptomatic only at the initial stage of development, when the size of the tumor is still quite small. Active growth and spread of pathological cells leads to the manifestation of vivid symptoms of a bladder tumor. First of all, dysuria is observed (difficulty in discharge of urine).
- Sluggish stream of urine. This symptom appears due to the fact that the neoplasm has already reached a large size and prevents the correct reduction of the walls of the bladder.
- Acute urinary retention. This symptom indicates that the tumor is located near the outlet of the urethra. During the closure of the lumen, the outflow of urine is difficult.
- Feeling of incomplete emptying. The large size of the tumor causes the presence of urine in the bladder.
- Leaking urine. In case of damage to the neck of the bladder, this part of the organ becomes more dense. This interferes with the complete closure of the canal, as a result of which urine begins to leak.
- Hematuria The presence of blood in the urine often indicates the presence of a tumor.
- Pain in the lower abdomen. This symptom is very characteristic of cancer of the bladder, but pain can accompany the development of benign tumors on the leg. During torsion, an attack often occurs in which surgical intervention is urgently required.
Symptoms of a bladder tumor in women
In addition to all of the above manifestations, other signs of the disease can be observed. Among the main symptoms of a bladder tumor in women:
- menstrual irregularities - this is manifested by its contraction or lengthening;
- the appearance of spotting in the middle of the cycle;
- pain during menstruation;
- a change in secretions (the appearance of a putrefactive odor, an increase in the number of secretions).
Symptoms of a tumor in men
In men, the symptomatology is slightly different from that that occurs in women. Men with a bladder tumor complain of:
- frequent urination;
- severe pain during urination;
- drawing pains in the scrotum and pubic area.
This clinical picture is very similar to the manifestations of other diseases, including cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. Many men postpone a visit to the doctor for a long time, believing that these symptoms are manifestations of the above diseases. This decision exacerbates the situation and complicates further treatment.
Diagnostics
In order for the treatment to be as effective as possible, the doctor must correctly build the course of therapy. First of all, an initial examination of the patient is carried out. At this time, the doctor gets acquainted with the patient's complaints, examines the presence of risk factors and the presence of diseases of the urinary system. The bladder tumor in men and women manifests itself in a slightly different way and at the same time disguises itself as other diseases.
General analysis of urine and blood. The quantitative composition of the analyzes will show the presence of one or another deviation from the norm.
The task of the doctor: to examine the patient, palpate the abdomen, check the lymph nodes for an increase and pain. In addition, there are a number of laboratory tests and hardware tests that can help determine the exact cause of the symptoms present.
Ultrasound of the bladder. This type of diagnosis is effective for detecting neoplasms. In this case, the doctor will receive accurate data on the size of the tumor and its location.
Cystography. This diagnosis is an x-ray examination of the genitourinary system using a contrast medium. This approach is not always used.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. They are assigned as separately from each other, as well as comprehensively. The result helps to build a three-dimensional picture (finding the tumor, size, shape). When it comes to cancer, all metastases in other organs and tissues will be detected.
Biopsy. The most important analysis, which allows to determine the nature of the tumor with a 100% accuracy (whether it is benign or cancerous). For this, a small sample of tumor tissue is extracted and a histological laboratory study is performed on the basis of this material.
Benign tumor treatment
If a non-epithelial tumor was detected during the diagnosis, then special treatment is not required. The fact is that such types of neoplasms grow extremely slowly and have virtually no symptoms. With these diagnoses, regular passing of diagnostic procedures and observation by a urologist is recommended.
If papillomas and polyps are found, the doctor selects the appropriate therapy.
The most common treatment is surgery. Usually this is electrocoagulation or transurethral electroresection. Such an operation for a tumor of the bladder is performed under general anesthesia, while a catheter for urine removal is installed on the patient during postoperative recovery.
In especially severe cases (with multiple neoplasms or with concomitant diseases), doctors resort to open bladder surgery.
In the postoperative period of treatment of a bladder tumor, medications are prescribed:
- antibiotics (to prevent complications);
- antispasmodics - reduce pain.
Bladder cancer treatment
In the event that the tumor is malignant, treatment should be started immediately. Moreover, it is very important to choose the right set of measures aimed at eliminating the neoplasm and blocking its re-development.
TOUR. Transurethral resection. This procedure is a gentle operation, which is carried out using special equipment through the urethra. The absence of abdominal incisions shortens the recovery period and eliminates the risk of complications. The disadvantage is that TUR can be used only in the initial stages with small volumes of the tumor.
Partial cystectomy It is the removal of a bladder tumor along with part of an organ.
Immunotherapy. Such treatment is carried out by introducing a powerful drug into the cavity of the bladder.
Complete cystectomy. This is a complete organ removal along with all pathological cells. In this case, the doctor forms an artificial hole for the removal of urine or performs the installation of an implant.
Chemotherapy. It implies treatment with powerful drugs, the action of which is aimed at the destruction of pathological cells. Such therapy is carried out in courses and is most often combined with immunotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery to remove a bladder tumor.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy). During this treatment, the patient's body is exposed to ionizing radiation. The essence of this procedure is that cancer cells are most susceptible to such radiation. As a result, the cell structure is destroyed, and therefore the tumor loses its ability to grow and develop. Most often, this step is used in the late stages of oncology, in which there are numerous metastases.
Forecast
The prognosis of treatment completely depends on the nature of the disease and on the size of the neoplasm. So, many benign tumors do not need treatment, while the patient can live with them for decades and not complain about a poor condition.
With malignant neoplasms, the picture changes significantly. Diagnosis at stages 1 or 2 and the correct treatment in 50-70% of cases give a good result and complete recovery. The prognosis of treatment of stages 3 and 4 is not so optimistic. At the same time, there are good therapy indicators even in the last stage of cancer.
What can each person do to protect himself as much as possible from this terrible disease? First of all, this is a regular medical examination and timely treatment at the clinic when the first symptoms appear. Thus, it will be possible in time to recognize the disease and begin an active fight against it.