Symptoms of bladder cancer are frequently disregarded until the illness has progressed significantly
In the heart of the Finger Lakes region, FingerLakes1.com stands as the region's leading all-digital news publication. Established in 1998, this platform has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Each morning, subscribers receive the Morning Edition, delivering headlines straight to their inboxes.
While FingerLakes1.com focuses on local news, it's important to shed light on a significant health concern: bladder cancer. Though genetics play a role, most cases stem from smoking or exposure to harmful chemicals.
Experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) are urging the public to recognize early symptoms of bladder cancer. Common early symptoms often mistaken for urinary tract infections (UTIs) or kidney stones include blood in the urine, painful urination, frequent urination, urgency to urinate, and pelvic or lower back pain.
Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is the most common early sign but may be microscopic and easy to miss, leading to misdiagnosis. Painful or burning urination can be attributed to both UTIs and bladder cancer, causing confusion in diagnosis. Frequent urination and a strong, urgent need to urinate—even when the bladder is not full—are common in both bladder cancer and UTIs.
Slow or interrupted urine stream, hesitancy, or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying are symptoms sometimes linked to bladder cancer but can be mistaken for minor urinary tract issues or kidney stones. Lower back or pelvic pain may occur as the bladder cancer affects nearby tissues and is also a symptom reported in kidney stones and infections.
Because these symptoms overlap with those of UTIs and kidney stones, early bladder cancer is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked until more definitive signs appear. Persistent or unexplained symptoms, especially blood in urine without infection, warrant thorough urological evaluation to rule out bladder cancer.
In the medical field, the University of Rochester Medical Center's Wilmot Cancer Institute is leading in both treatment and research for bladder cancer, aiming to improve outcomes for all patients. For metastatic cases, a new drug combination - pembrolizumab and enfortumab vedotin - has become the preferred treatment option.
Remember, if you have a lead, don't hesitate to send it to news@our website. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and take care of your health.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Bladder cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bladder-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355247 [2] American Cancer Society. (2021). Bladder Cancer Symptoms and Signs. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html [3] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Bladder Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/patient/bladder-treatment-pdq [4] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Bladder Cancer Symptoms. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16752-bladder-cancer/symptoms-and-causes [5] National Kidney Foundation. (2021). Kidney Stones: Symptoms. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones_symptoms
- Understanding the early signs of bladder cancer is crucial for early detection, as symptoms like blood in the urine, painful urination, frequent urination, and lower back or pelvic pain can often be confused with urinary tract infections or kidney stones.
- The University of Rochester Medical Center's Wilmot Cancer Institute is at the forefront of bladder cancer treatment and research, aiming to improve outcomes for all patients, including those with metastatic cases who may now benefit from new drug combinations like pembrolizumab and enfortumab vedotin.
- Adequate nutrition, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health play significant roles in overall health-and-wellness and can help manage various medical-conditions including cancer. It is essential to consult medical professionals for accurate diagnoses and treatment options when experiencing persistent and unexplained symptoms.
