Bladder And Kidney Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

By Daphne Bowen


Humans have been plagued by diseases for their entire history, claiming millions of lives. In some cases, our scientists developed cures and vaccines to prevent them. In other cases, we have not been unlucky, and these diseases continue to take our lives. Present day world is suffering from cancer, one of which is bladder and kidney cancer.

Although may people are familiar with the disease, few can tell what it is exactly. Cancer develops when our bodies cannot regulate cell division. Usually, when cells divide, the body has a mechanism to control the extent to which they do. When the mechanism fails, cells continue dividing, creating a lump of cells known as a tumour. Sometimes, the tumour spreads causing cancer.

Bladder and kidney cancers affect the respective organs. It affects both men and the opposite sex too although it is more common in men. In addition, it affects a significant proportion of the population and kills almost half of every case. Smoking is the most significant risk factor for the disease as it is the cause of at least half of most of these new cases. Some industrial chemicals, chronic irritation that are from schistosomiasis and long-term exposure to some of these drugs also predisposes one to the diseases.

The most common symptom associated with both diseases is the appearance of blood or blood clots in the urine. Other symptoms include pain or burning during urination, frequent passage of urine and feeling the need to urinate many times throughout the night. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied lower back pain on one side of ones body and feeling to urinate but not able to pass the urine.

By the time blood is spotted in urine and a cancer diagnosis is given, the disease has spread to other parts of ones body. Consequently, there may be other symptoms depending on which part of the body is infected. For instance, shortness of breath if its already in the lungs and jaundice if its in the liver.

Diagnosis is usually by cystoscopy or a biopsy. A CT or X-ray may determine whether cancer has spread. If it remains on the bladders inner surface and grow and divide slowly, the risk of death is less than 5%. Such tumours may be removed completely during cystoscopy. Sometimes, a part or the whole organ may be removed. Other treatment options include radiation and chemotherapy.

There are various ways to reduce ones chances of developing cancer of the bladder and kidney. The first is to lead an active life through exercise. The second way is to eat healthy foods including fish, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Also, quitting smoking is imperative since it is a high-risk factor.

There are no vaccines to prevent or drugs to cure tumours on the bladder and kidney. The risk of death after developing the disease is high. It is important to schedule regular visits to the doctor. Additionally, irresponsible behaviour such as smoking is high risk and needs to be stopped. Adoption of healthy habits such as eating whole foods and avoiding fatty foods is crucial.




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