Urothelial carcinoma is a common form of bladder cancer that begins in the cells that make up the lining of the bladder, urethra, and ureters, which are thin tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. The outlook for urothelial carcinoma is often good when caught early, but this form of cancer has a tendency to recur.
It must be noted that cancer can happen to anyone, regardless of lifestyle and family history. However, there are some risk factors that increase your chances of developing urothelial carcinoma:
Chronic bouts of bladder inflammation can also increase one’s risk, as can undergoing previous bladder cancer treatment and being over the age of 65.
People with this form of bladder cancer often experience the following symptoms:
Some people also detect the sensation of a lump or swelling in their back in the location of the kidney. These symptoms should be assessed by a doctor, who can perform a physical exam and diagnostic tests to help you find an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of bladder cancer depends on factors like the severity of symptoms, your general state of health, and whether the cancer has spread. Once your doctor performs a comprehensive evaluation, they will usually recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Surgery can be used to remove cancerous tumours. In the event urothelial carcinoma spreads to the kidneys, doctors can remove all or a portion of the affected organ.
Radiation therapy uses targeted energy to eliminate the presence of cancerous cells within the body.
This treatment uses medications that enhance a person’s immune system to better fight off cancerous cells.
Intravesical chemotherapy is used to treat bladder cancer when it is limited to the lining of the bladder cells. Conversely, whole body or systemic chemotherapy delivers medication to the entire body and is often recommended when surgery is not viable.
Doctors may also recommend target drug therapy, which is often combined with chemotherapy. Targeted drug therapy involves using medications designed to attack cancerous cells specifically.