Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the wall or mucosa of the bladder. Among urological oncological diseases, it ranks third, following prostate cancer and kidney cancer.
According to WHO statistics, 80% of diagnosed patients are between 60 and 80 years old, and men are three times more likely to develop bladder tumors than women.
One distinctive feature of this disease is its slow progression and favorable prognosis. In most cases, bladder cancer is caused by the activity of specific oncogenes. Additionally, one in two cases of bladder tumors is linked to smoking.
Symptoms indicating the need for diagnosis and treatment
The symptoms of bladder cancer are similar in both men and women:
- Hematuria (blood in the urine) – the most common symptom
- Pain above the pubic bone
- Changes in urination patterns (incontinence, increased frequency, painful urination)
- Advanced-stage symptoms – lower back pain, bone pain, loss of appetite, weight loss
Diagnosis and treatment methods
Diagnosis
The primary diagnostic tools for bladder cancer include: ultrasound, intravenous urography with a series of X-ray images, CT, MRI, and PET scans – used to assess lymph nodes and determine the stage of the disease.
The gold standard for diagnosing bladder cancer worldwide is cystoscopy with biopsy. A morphologist’s report is required to confirm an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment
Conservative therapy:
- BCG immunotherapy (a 6-week empirical instillation scheme into the bladder cavity
- Chemotherapy, including intravesical chemotherapy
- Photodynamic and radiation therapy
Surgical Treatment:
- TURP
- Cystectomy (the extent of surgery is determined by a multidisciplinary medical board)
Innovations in global clinics
Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Bioengineering in Barcelona are developing nanorobots for targeted tumor treatment. These nanorobots are porous silicon spheres, 450 nanometers in diameter, loaded with the I-124 iodine isotope, which has a short-range effect. This ensures that healthy tissues near the tumor remain unaffected. A single injection of nanorobots carrying a high dose of radionuclide has been shown to reduce tumor size by 90%.