Contents
What are the early warning signs of bladder cancer?
· Liver; Metastatic bladder cancer can also spread to other organs in the urinary and reproductive tracts, such as the prostate, uterus and vagina. What Tests Will I Have If My Doctor Suspects Bladder Cancer Or Another Urinary Problem
How dangerous is bladder cancer?
· Metastatic bladder cancer is the name for bladder cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, the liver, or the bones. Even if the cancer cells are first discovered in the bones, for example, if they first started growing in the bladder it is still called metastatic bladder cancer.1. Tests That May Be Done
What causes cancer in the bladder?
· He told me he was very shocked because bladder cancer spreading to the liver is extremely rare unless you have advanced muscle invasive BC. They took a liver biopsy that day and the results came back as the tumors being a common type of benign tumor. The emergency room physician made a wrong diagnosis.
What are the risks of bladder cancer?
Liver; Metastatic bladder cancer can also spread to other organs in the urinary and reproductive tracts, such as the prostate, uterus and vagina. How is metastatic bladder cancer treated? The way that metastatic bladder cancer is treated depends primarily on where the cancer has spread and the type of cells that make up the primary tumor. It’s important to remember that when …
How does bladder cancer spread?
Bladder cancer spreads when cancerous cells reproduce and invade surrounding healthy tissues. This is known as metastasis. Usually, metastatic bladder cancer refers to cancer that has spread to distant organs, but metastasis can occur locally in the muscles and connective tissues that are directly adjacent to the bladder as well.
What is the treatment for bladder cancer?
Potential treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and clinical trials.
Can bladder cancer be metastasized to lymphatic system?
Once cancerous cells have reached the lymphatic system, they can make their way to almost any part of the body. However, the most common sites for distant bladder cancer metastases include the:
Can bladder cancer spread to other organs?
Metastatic bladder cancer can also spread to other organs in the urinary and reproductive tracts, such as the prostate, uterus and vagina.
Does Moffitt Cancer Center treat bladder cancer?
At Moffitt Cancer Center, we’ve treated many patients with metastatic bladder cancer, creating ta ilored treatment plans for every single one. To help ease the burdens of treatment, we also offer comprehensive supportive care services for patients and their caregivers.
What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?
What Are the Most Common Metastatic Bladder Cancer Symptoms? The most common symptoms of bladder cancer involve urinary function, although other complications can occur if the cancer spreads. It’s not uncommon for bladder cancer to metastasize to the lungs, liver or bones.
Can cancer spread to bones?
Cancer that spreads to bones can weaken the bones and make them more prone to breakage . Bone metastases can also be painful, especially at night and during activity.
Can bladder cancer be diagnosed without a professional?
Without a professional evaluation, it can be difficult to know if the symptoms you’re experiencing are the result of bladder cancer or something else. While it’s important not to panic – most of these issues can be caused by other, less serious conditions – it’s also important to talk with an expert if you notice something out of the ordinary. The earlier that bladder cancer is detected, the more treatment options you’re likely to have.
Can bladder cancer cause pain?
It’s not uncommon for bladder cancer to metasta size to the lungs, liver or bones. This can cause pain and other symptoms in distant parts of the body. In many cases, metastatic bladder cancer also causes general complications such as fatigue and weight loss.
Where does bladder cancer spread?
Bladder cancer tends to stay in the same area (the pelvis) and grow into nearby tissues such as the pelvic wall. It can also spread to the lungs, liver, and bone.
Where do cancer cells get trapped?
Most cancer cells that break free from the original tumor are carried in the blood or lymph until they get trapped in the next “downstream” organ or set of lymph nodes. Once the cells travel to this area, they can start new tumors.
What is stage 4 cancer?
If cancer spreads to a the liver, or a different area of the body, it is known by several different terms: stage 4 cancer, advanced cancer, or metastatic cancer. When cancer does spread to the liver or other parts of the body, it is still named after the original cancer and treatment is also based on where the cancer began. For example, if colorectal cancer spreads to the liver, it is still colorectal cancer (not liver cancer), and the doctor will recommend treatments that have been shown to help treat advanced colorectal cancer. Likewise, pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver is still pancreatic cancer, not liver cancer, and is treated as advanced pancreatic cancer.
Where does esophageal cancer grow?
Esophageal cancer mostly grows near where it started (in the chest and belly). As it progresses, it may grow into nearby organs like the liver and lungs.
Where does melanoma spread?
Melanoma can spread anywhere in the body. It first tends to go to lymph nodes near where it started, but then can spread to the brain, lungs, liver, and bones. It can also spread to other areas of skin.
Does liver cancer spread to bones?
Liver Cancer. Liver cancer doesn’t often spread outside the liver. It tends to grow throughout the liver as it becomes advanced. If it does spread, it’s most often to the lungs or bones.
Where Bladder Cancer Can Spread
The bladder is a hollow organ that holds urine. It has flexible walls that are composed of several layers. When bladder cancer starts to spread, it grows through each layer of the bladder wall.
Symptoms and Complications
The first symptom of bladder cancer is usually blood in the urine. However, it’s possible to have blood in your urine and not see it. Laboratory testing can identify blood in urine, even when it’s not visible to the eye. As bladder cancer spreads, you may experience other symptoms, too. Advanced bladder cancer symptoms include: 5
Treatment Options
Treatments for metastatic bladder cancer can vary, based on things like how extensively your cancer has spread, your overall health and strength, and your current symptoms.
Living With Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer symptoms and treatments can be overwhelming. No matter where you are on your treatment journey, you’ll need to meet with your healthcare provider for regular checkups and tests. Talking to your healthcare team about the next steps and what to expect can provide a road map during this time.
Prognosis
Metastatic bladder cancer is a challenging diagnosis. Your health, strength, and age will all play a role in your prognosis. How well your cancer responds to treatment is also a significant factor.
Summary
Metastatic bladder cancer is cancer that has spread outside of the bladder to other parts of the body. If you have metastatic bladder cancer, your treatment will be focused on destroying or slowing down cancer cells throughout your body, not just in your bladder.
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of metastatic bladder cancer can feel overwhelming, but there’s treatment to help manage symptoms and slow disease progression. No matter where you are on your treatment journey, it’s important to maintain regular appointments with your healthcare provider to keep your cancer under control.
How does bladder cancer work?
It works by slowing down or stopping fast-dividing cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells that are dividing quickly. These include cells in the mouth, throat, stomach, and hair.
How many stages of bladder cancer are there?
There are four stages, which people often write using Roman numerals. Stage 4 cancer will sometimes appear in writing as stage IV. Knowing what to expect from stage 4 bladder cancer can help people to make informed decisions about their treatment and care.
How do you know if you have bladder cancer?
The signs and symptoms of bladder cancer that has spread to other parts of the body include: tiredness or weakness. pain when urinating. difficulty urinating or inability to urinate. pain in the lower back on one side of the body. weight loss.
What happens when bladder cancer is stage 4?
When bladder cancer reaches stage 4, the original tumor has often grown and pushed through the wall of the bladder. Cancer cells may have spread to organs close to the bladder or those further away, such as the liver or lungs.
Why is pain important for cancer patients?
Pain relief is an important part of cancer treatment for many people. As pain can differ from person to person, it is important to be as clear as possible when discussing pain with a doctor. This will allow the doctor to prescribe suitable, quick, and effective pain relief.
What is the best treatment for bladder cancer?
Chemotherapy. The most common treatment for stage 4 bladder cancer is chemotherapy, which can slow down the growth of cancer cells or shrink a tumor. This sometimes makes it possible for surgeons to remove part or all of the bladder.
How to help someone with cancer?
Gentle exercise is safe for most people who have cancer, but it is best to check with a doctor for advice first. Walking and swimming do not put much strain on the body and can help to boost mood and reduce tiredness.
Where does bladder cancer start?
Bladder cancer is a tumor (uncontrolled growth of cells) that starts in your urinary bladder. The urinary bladder is a balloon-like organ present in the lower abdomen near the pelvis. Its function is to store urine coming from the kidneys through the ureters (pipe-like passageways for urine) until it is expelled from the body through the tube-like passage called the urethra.
How long do people with bladder cancer live?
Overall, 70 to 90 percent of people with localized bladder cancer will live for at least five years or more . The physician calculates this with the help of survival rates. Survival rates indicate the percentage of people who live with a certain type of cancer for a specific time. The physician often uses an overall five-year survival rate.
What is the first line of treatment for metastatic bladder cancer?
Then, the physician may perform a radical cystectomy to remove cancer that has invaded beyond the bladder wall. Metastatic bladder cancer: Platinum-based chemotherapy is the first line of treatment for this type of bladder cancer.
What is gallbladder cancer?
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the aggressive cancers of the biliary tract. The gallbladder generates and concentrates bile that aids in the digestion of fats. GBC is a rare, yet deadly cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.
What is the procedure to remove bladder cancer?
Tumors in the bladder muscle: In case of bladder cancer that has invaded the muscle wall but hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes, the physician recommends radical cystectomy. In this procedure, the physician removes the bladder, nearby lymph nodes and other nearby organs.
What is the treatment for high grade bladder cancer?
High-grade bladder cancer: High-grade cancers that are life-threatening and spread quickly need to be treated with chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
What is SEER in cancer?
The surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) stages are taken from the SEER database, maintained by the National Cancer Institute. SEER database groups cancers into localized, regional, and distant stages.
How long do people with stage IV bladder cancer live?
People diagnosed with stage IV bladder cancer that has spread to the regional lymph nodes have a relative five-year survival rate of about 36%, which means that around 36 out of 100 people with this stage of bladder cancer are alive five years after they are diagnosed. People diagnosed with stage IV bladder cancer that has metastasized …
How to determine bladder cancer stage?
Determining a patient’s overall bladder cancer stage involves combining information that describes the bladder tumor (T), any cancer cells in nearby lymph nodes (N), and any cancer cells that have metastasized (M), or spread, to parts of the body that are distant from the bladder. 1,2,3 This information comes from various diagnostic tests and possible surgery.
What is the treatment for stage IV bladder cancer?
Treatment for stage IV bladder cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (such as the bones, liver, or lungs) may include treatment with one or more of the following: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, or external radiation therapy.
What is the most advanced type of bladder cancer?
Stage IV bladder cancer is the most advanced type. Bladder cancer typically begins to grow in the inner lining of the bladder, called the urothelium. The bladder cancer cells can spread into the muscle of the bladder wall and, in some people, it can continue to spread outside of the bladder and into other parts of the body …
Can you sell your email address for bladder cancer?
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Does bladder cancer spread to lymph nodes?
However, the bladder cancer has not spread to lymph nodes near the bladder ( N0) and it has not metastasized to distant parts of the body (M0).