Medical Treatments For Bladder Cancer

The bladder is nothing more than a hollow organ in the body that is located in the lower pelvis.  All it does is collect and store urine that is produced in the kidneys.  The urine fills up the bladder and therefore stretches it and it gets larger.  When full, the bladder wall contracts and the urine expelled.  Now bladder cancer happens when different cells found in the inner walls of the bladder become malignant.  This happens as the cells multiply and form abnormal cells that are known as the tumor.  Here is what happens:

• Cells multiply to create a tumor.
• The cells produce more cells that make the tumor grow.
• The tumors invade the space of other tissues and steal the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly.
• The tumors become malignant or cancerous.
• Bladder cancer is present and there is a possibility that it will spread through the blood stream and into other places like the lings, liver, bones, and other organs.

Can it be treated medically?

There are standard therapies that one can go through to treat bladder cancer.  One way is through radiation therapy that requires the use of a ray that will kill the cancer cells and the normal cells in its path.  The normal cells will be damaged but can recover over time.  This is a common therapy that replaces surgery and is quite effective against bladder cancer.  However, this should be used simultaneously with chemotherapy.

What is chemotherapy?

A medical therapy, chemotherapy works by using concoctions of different medicines to kill bladder cancer.  It can be given individually as a therapy or used with radiation therapy.  It can also be used before or after any of the other therapies.  Chemotherapy, however, is also known for its harsh side effects but this really depends on how much a person can tolerate the therapy.

What are the side effects when used for bladder cancer?

There are common side effects when using chemotherapy to battle bladder cancer.  These side effects can include:

• Vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Nausea
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Sores in the digestive tract
• Anemia that can cause energy loss
• Susceptibility to different infections
• Easy bruising and bleeding

If you suffer from bladder cancer, you must first consult a doctor to know what will be the best approach to dealing with it.