Did you know that bladder cancer is a rare type of cancer that starts from the lining of the bladder?  Generally, this type of cancer is highly treatable because it gets identified at an early stage. However, this cancer can come back after successful treatment at an early stage. To improve your outlook on bladder cancer, you need to take follow-up tests for years after treatment to look for bladder cancer that recurs. Learn what tests are used to diagnose bladder cancer in this article. If you want to know more about bladder health, visit us at Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center and consult with the best nephrologists and urologists in East New York.

Types

Different types of cells in your bladder can become cancerous and the type of bladder cancer depends on the type of cell that becomes cancerous. Doctors use this information to decide which treatment option may work best for you.

Types of bladder cancers are:

1. Transitional cell carcinoma:

It is also known as urothelial carcinoma, which occurs in the cells of the inner lining of your bladder wall. Around 90% of cases of bladder cancer are transitional. In this type, abnormal cells spread from the inner lining to other layers of your bladder or expand your bladder wall into fatty tissues that surround your bladder. These cells are also found inside the ureters and the urethra, which means cancers can also occur in those places as well. This is the most common bladder cancer found in the United States.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma:

This type of bladder cancer occurs when squamous cells cause chronic irritation inside of your bladder. For instance, it can occur from an infection or long-term use of a urinary catheter. This is very rare, around 5% of bladder cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and rare in the United States. However, it’s more common in different parts of the world where a certain parasitic infection (schistosomiasis) is found.

3. Adenocarcinoma:

This cancer starts in cells that produce mucus-secreting glands in the bladder. It is an exceedingly rare type of bladder cancer, only occurring in 1 to 2% of all bladder cancers.

4. Small cell carcinoma of the bladder:

It is an extremely rare type of bladder cancer that’s been found in about 1000 people in the U.S. to date.

5. Sarcoma:

Soft tissue sarcomas happen in the bladder muscle cells. It is very rare.

Diagnosis

To diagnose bladder cancer, doctors use a series of tests to diagnose bladder cancer, including:

• Urinalysis: This test is used to analyze your pee to rule out infection.
• Cytology: Providers take a sample of urine and test it under a microscope to look for cancer cells.
• Cystoscopy: This is the primary test used to diagnose bladder cancer. In this test, doctors use a pencil-sized lighted tube called a cystoscope to view inside the bladder and urethra to find the signs of disease. Providers may also take tissue samples as well to do further examination.

If these tests show results that you have bladder cancer, then doctors may do some more tests to learn about cancer, including:

• Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT): In this procedure, the doctor removes bladder tumors for additional testing. This procedure is also used as a treatment, removing bladder tumors before the tumors can invade your bladder’s muscle wall.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test: This imaging test is used to get detailed images of your bladder by using magnetic radio waves that pass through your body and are recorded in a machine that produces images on a computer.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: Doctors may use this imaging test to see if cancer has spread outside of your bladder in your urinary tract.
• Chest X-ray: This test is used to look for signs of bladder cancer spread to the lungs.
• Bone scan: Like a chest X-ray, bone scans are used to look for signs that bladder cancer has spread to your bones.
• Retrograde pyelogram: This is an X-ray exam used to get a detailed view of your upper urinary tract.

With these tests, doctors find out how far the cancer has spread and which grade of cancer cells you have. This information helps the doctor to decide which treatment option may be best for you.

Need help with bladder cancer, visit our urology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical diagnosis and treatment options to manage your cancer and increase your lifespan. Call us to book your appointment now or for a consultation!!!!

At Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center, our team of urologists will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. We also offer services, such as renal and bladder ultrasound. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.