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Bladder cancer is a disease in which certain cells in the bladder become abnormal and multiply without control or order. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine until it is ready to be excreted from the body. The most common type of bladder cancer begins in cells lining the inside of the bladder and is called transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).
Bladder cancer may cause blood in the urine, pain during urination, frequent urination, or the feeling that one needs to urinate without results. These signs and symptoms are not specific to bladder cancer, however. They also can be caused by noncancerous conditions such as infections.
In the United States, bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men and the ninth most common cancer in women. About 45,000 men and 17,000 women are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year.
Bladder cancer is related to chromosome 9.
The FGFR3, HRAS, RB1, TP53, and TSC1 genes are associated with bladder cancer.
As with most cancers, the exact causes of bladder cancer are not known; however, many risk factors are associated with this disease. Many of the major risk factors are environmental, such as smoking and exposure to certain industrial chemicals. Studies suggest that chronic bladder inflammation, a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis, and some medications used to treat cancer are other environmental risk factors associated with bladder cancer.
Genetic factors are also likely to play an important role in determining bladder cancer risk. Researchers have studied the effects of mutations in several genes, including FGFR3, RB1, HRAS, TP53, and TSC1, on the formation and growth of bladder tumors. Each of these genes plays a critical role in regulating cell division by preventing cells from dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way. Alterations in these genes may help explain why some bladder cancers grow and spread more rapidly than others.
Deletions of part or all of chromosome 9 are common events in bladder tumors. Researchers believe that several genes that control cell growth and division are probably located on chromosome 9. They are working to determine whether a loss of these genes plays a role in the development and progression of bladder cancer.
Most of the genetic changes associated with bladder cancer develop in bladder tissue during a person's lifetime, rather than being inherited from a parent. Some people, however, appear to inherit a reduced ability to break down certain chemicals, which makes them more sensitive to the cancer-causing effects of tobacco smoke and industrial chemicals.
Bladder cancer is typically not inherited. Most often, tumors result from genetic mutations that occur in bladder cells during a person's lifetime. These noninherited genetic changes are called somatic mutations.
view of a papillary bladder tumor (top); the bladder wall is visible on the bottom right '''Bladder cancer''' refers to any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. The image to the right shows a papillary cell tumor, the most common type of bladder cancer. Papillary transitional cell carcinoma is a cancer of the transitional epithelial cells of the bladder. The greatest risk factor for bladder cancer is a genetic predisposition; it is also associated with Tobacco smoking and occupational exposure to aniline-based dyes (such as in textile factories), as well as with petrol and other chemicals. The treatment of bladder cancer depends on how deep the tumor invades into the bladder wall. Superficial tumors (those not entering the muscle layer) can be "shaved off" using an electrocautery device. Tumors which infiltrate the bladder require more radical surgery where part or all of the bladder is removed and the urinary stream is diverted. Radiation can also be used to treat this disease. [ Read More ]
Matritech - Developer of proteomics-based diagnostic products for the early detection of cancer by identifying proteins correlated with breast, bladder, prostate, cervical and colon cancers. Located in Newton, Massachusetts.
Cancer News: Diagnosis and Treatment of Bladder Cancer - Article on this disease by Dr. Robert Badalament.
Medical Enterprises: Synergo - Description of a commercial treatment modality involving a hyperthermia device used in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer.
BUPA: Bladder Cancer - Fact sheet from this UK organization addresses causes, symptoms and treatment.
UrologyChannel: Bladder Cancer - Provides information regarding diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
BTA: Bladder Cancer Test - Outlines information about a commercially available test.
Bladder Cancer Web Cafe - Information and resources including guidance in treatment options.
About.com: Bladder Cancer - General information about the disease.
SavonHealth: Bladder Cancer - Gives information about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Imperial Cancer Research Fund - This UK charity offers news and information about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer. It also gives details on fundraising.