Bladder cancer can be detected and treated by recognizing early signs. Further, early screening and detection improve the chances of successful treatment. This type of cancer begins in the lining of the bladder and gradually spreads to the muscle of the bladder wall before moving on to other tissues. Bladder cancer symptoms become apparent in the early stages, unlike those of many other illnesses, which cannot be detected until the disease has advanced.

Common signs
Some bladder cancer signs can seem similar to those of other diseases. However, if one observes any changes in their urine, it is important to consult a doctor immediately. Some of the common signs of bladder cancer are:

Dark red, orange, or pink-colored urine
Frequent urination
Pain or burning sensation while urinating
Constant urge to urinate at night
Trouble urinating and a weak urine stream
Lower back pain
Inability to urinate even when the bladder is full
Loss of appetite
Exhaustion
Water retention and swelling in the feet
Pain in the bones

Treatment
Based on bladder cancer signs and diagnosis, doctors can decide on treatment. The treatment plan can vary depending on the cancer stage and individual factors like age and health of the patient. Each approach can have side effects, so doctors discuss the options with patients before choosing the best approach.

The common surgical procedures to treat bladder cancer are:

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT): This is usually the first method to diagnose and treat bladder cancer if it has spread from the lining to the bladder wall. It is also recommended for people with early-stage cancer. Surgeons may repeat the procedure to remove every abnormal cell from the bladder wall and its tissues. TURBT involves the insertion of an instrument into the urethra. The instrument, a resectoscope, is fitted with a wire loop on one end to remove the tumor. Doctors send high-energy laser beams through the resectoscope to destroy cancer cells. TURBT is performed under general or regional anesthesia.

Cystectomy: If the cancer is large and restricted to one part of the bladder wall muscle, doctors may recommend a partial cystectomy, i.e., removing part of the bladder. If the growth is large and has spread to more than one part of the bladder, patients may be recommended a radical cystectomy to remove the entire bladder. While the prostate and seminal vesicles are removed in men during a radical cystectomy, in women, doctors remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and a small part of the vagina. Cystectomy is an invasive procedure following which doctors may recommend reconstructive surgeries to create new ways to store and eliminate urine.

Other treatment options are:

Immunotherapy: This is a widely used approach for most types of cancers. Here, prescription options recognize and destroy cancer cells. For bladder cancer, one is given BCG, a bacteria that the immune system begins attacking, thereby destroying cancer cells.

Chemotherapy: Doctors use one or a combination of oral or intravenous treatment options over multiple cycles spread over weeks or months. The treatment is administered for the whole body or directly into the bladder using a catheter.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy treats early-stage bladder cancer, sometimes after TURBT. It is also recommended for patients who cannot undergo surgery or chemotherapy. Additionally, if doctors believe the tumor can be removed without surgery, they may recommend radiation therapy. For those with advanced bladder cancer, radiation is used before or after surgery to remove the cancer cells and prevent them from developing in the future.

Targeted therapy: Here, one or more treatment options target the weakness of cancer cells and eliminate them.