Bladder Cancer
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Bladder Cancer: Who's at Risk?No one knows the exact causes of bladder cancer. However, it is clear that this disease is not contagious. No one can catch cancer from another person. People who get bladder cancer are more likely than other people to have certain risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of developing the disease. Still, most people with known risk factors do not get bladder cancer, and many who do get this disease have none of these factors. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets this cancer and another does not. Studies have found the following risk factors for bladder cancer: * Age. The chance of getting bladder cancer goes up as people get older. People under 40 rarely get this disease. * Tobacco. The use of tobacco is a major risk factor. Cigarette smokers are two to three times more likely than nonsmokers to get bladder cancer. Pipe and cigar smokers are also at increased risk. * Occupation. Some workers have a higher risk of getting bladder cancer because of carcinogens in the workplace. Workers in the rubber, chemical, and leather industries are at risk. So are hairdressers, machinists, metal workers, printers, painters, textile workers, and truck drivers. * Infections. Being infected with certain parasites increases the risk of bladder cancer. These parasites are common in tropical areas but not in the United States. * Treatment with cyclophosphamide or arsenic. These drugs are used to treat cancer and some other conditions. They raise the risk of bladder cancer. * Race. Whites get bladder cancer twice as often as African Americans and Hispanics. The lowest rates are among Asians. * Being a man. Men are two to three times more likely than women to get bladder cancer. * Family history. People with family members who have bladder cancer are more likely to get the disease. Researchers are studying changes in certain genes that may increase the risk of bladder cancer. * Personal history of bladder cancer. People who have had bladder cancer have an increased chance of getting the disease again. Chlorine is added to water to make it safe to drink. It kills deadly bacteria. However, chlorine by-products sometimes can form in chlorinated water. Researchers have been studying chlorine by-products for more than 25 years. So far, there is no proof that chlorinated water causes bladder cancer in people. Studies continue to look at this question. Some studies have found that saccharin, an artificial sweetener, causes bladder cancer in animals. However, research does not show that saccharin causes cancer in people. People who think they may be at risk for bladder cancer should discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups. What are the symptoms of bladder cancer?Symptoms Common symptoms of bladder cancer include: * Blood in the urine (making the urine slightly rusty to deep red), * Pain during urination, and * Frequent urination, or feeling the need to urinate without results. These symptoms are not sure signs of bladder cancer. Infections, benign tumors, bladder stones, or other problems also can cause these symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor so that the doctor can diagnose and treat any problem as early as possible. People with symptoms like these may see their family doctor or a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary system.
Source: National Institutes of Health
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Researchers from G.B. Pant Hospital, Maulana Azad Medical College discuss findings in gallbladder cancer epidemiology
2007 NOV 12 -- New research, 'Biliary obstruction in gall bladder cancer is not sine qua non of inoperability,' is the subject of a report. "The presence of biliary obstruction in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) is generally viewed as an indicator of advanced disease, inoperability and poor prognosis Data was collected from patients with GBC with obstructive jaundice who underwent resection during the period January 2001 to October 2003. Systematic analysis of prospective data was undertaken; patients were analyzed for resectability, post-operative morbidity, mortality and disease-free survival During this period 14 patients with GBC with biliary obstruction underwent resection with curative intent," scientists in New Delhi, India report. "In these jaundiced patients, the resectability rate was 27.45% (14 of 51). In the jaundiced group the mortality was 7.14% the morbidity rate 50%, the mean disease free survival was 23.46 months (median 26 months and range of 2 to 62 months)," wrote A.K. Agarwal and colleagues, G.B. Pant Hospital, Maulana Azad Medical College. The researchers concluded: "Seven patients (50%) survived more than two years Biliary obstruction in gall bladder cancer is not sine qua non of inoperability and resection results in meaningful prolongation of survival." Agarwal and colleagues published their study in Annals of Surgical Oncology (Biliary obstruction in gall bladder cancer is not sine qua non of inoperability. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 2007;14(10):2831-7). For more information, contact A.K. Agarwal, GB Pant Hospital & Maulana Azad Medical College, Dept. of Gastrointestinal Surgery, JLN Marg, New Delhi 110002, India. Publisher contact information for the journal Annals of Surgical Oncology is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA. Keywords: India, New Delhi, Gallbladder Cancer Epidemiology, Bladder Cancer, Bladder Carcinoma, Epidemiology, Gallbladder Cancer, Gallbladder Carcinoma, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Surgical Oncology. This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.
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