Bladder cancer is the most common cancer of the urogenital system. Although its incidence varies according to countries and geographical regions, it is 4th most common in men and 8th most common in women. It is most common in the 60s and 70s. It is 3-4 times more common in men than in women. Many risk factors such as social, environmental, occupational and genetic factors, and nutritional habits play an important role in the development of bladder cancer. The most important risk factor is the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products. People working in the chemical industry, petroleum, paint, rubber industry, aluminum and iron enterprises have a higher risk of developing bladder cancer due to their occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens. Smoked meat and fatty diets and obesity also increase the risk of bladder cancer. In addition, the incidence of bladder cancer increases in the presence of family history, radiation exposure and chronic urinary tract infection.
The most typical symptom of the disease is painless, bloody-clotted urination. Burning sensation in urination, straining, pain in the kidney area, weakness, and weight loss may also be observed. Sometimes, it can be detected incidentally during ultrasonography performed for other reasons, without giving any symptoms. In high-risk patients, a second TUR-B operation may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Medicines such as Epirubicin or Mitomycin can be administered into the bladder to reduce recurrence after the operation. As a result of pathology, the type of tumor, the depth and degree it reaches in the bladder layers are revealed. The need and type of additional treatment varies depending on the type, grade and stage of the tumor. In non-muscle invasive tumors, if there is lamina propria involvement and/or carcinoma in situ, intravesical BCG (tuberculosis vaccine administration for the bladder) treatment and control cystoscopies are considered sufficient. In patients who are too old to undergo surgery or have comorbidities, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be a treatment option. Bladder cancer is a disease that has the potential to recur. Bladder cancer patients need to be followed closely by a urologist at all stages. Follow-up is usually done with cystoscopy. Imaging methods may also be used at certain times.
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