We Understand the Tests Doctors Should Perform to Diagnose Bladder Cancer
Simply put, bladder cancer is cancer that starts in the bladder. According to the American Cancer Society, the estimated number of people who will be diagnosed with bladder cancer this year is over 73,510. It is also estimated that over 14,000 people will die from bladder cancer this year. Studies show that this type of cancer has not been increasing or decreasing over the past two decades.
Studies have also showed that approximately nine out of ten people who develop bladder cancer are over the age of 55, but the average age is 73. Bladder cancer is more common in men than in women, with men being three times more likely to develop it. Men in the U.S. have a 1 in 26 chance of developing bladder cancer while women have a 1 in 86 chance of developing bladder cancer. In men, it is the fourth most common form of cancer.
Learning how common bladder cancer is shows how important it is to be aware of the facts regarding this type of cancer. The bladder is located behind the pelvic bone and is a muscular sac that holds urine. This sac looks like a pear both in size and shape when it is empty of urine. The urine is produced in the kidneys and then passes through tubes called ureters to the bladder. Most types of bladder cancer begin when cells begin to grow abnormally in the lining of the bladder. The tumors which are formed as a result are named by how they develop. Papillary tumors have the appearance of a wart and nonpapillary tumors are flat. Of the two, nonpapillary tumors are less common but more dangerous.
Cancer of the Bladder
As is always true with cancer, catching the cancer while it is in its early stages could greatly increase the chances of recovery. Some symptoms to be on the lookout for include pain in the stomach or pain when urinating. If there is blood in the urine or leakage, this could also be a sign that something is wrong. Victims of bladder cancer may also suffer from fatigue and weight loss. As these symptoms are not exclusive to bladder cancer, doctors will need to rule out the other possibilities before concluding that it is in fact cancer of the bladder.
What causes bladder cancer?
As is similar in other types of cancers, the exact cause is often impossible to find. Research has shown, however, that there are risks that could increase the likelihood of an individual developing bladder cancer. First of all, if they were cigarette smokers, the chance of them developing bladder cancer increase. In fact, some estimate that up to half of all cases of bladder cancer were caused by smoking. Another possible cause of bladder cancer is exposure to certain toxic chemicals. The most common way people can be exposed to these chemicals is while at work. People who work with dye, rubber, aluminum, or pesticides on a regular basis are more susceptible to cancer. Those who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation treatment for another type of cancer may suffer from bladder cancer as a result. Lastly, if an individual is suffering from chronic bladder infections, it could result in bladder cancer.
Do you need a medical malpractice lawyer?
If you suspect that you have bladder cancer, the doctor could test you by using CT scans, an MRI, urinalysis, a pelvic CT scan, or a bladder biopsy. If they fail to run the proper tests or do not interpret them correctly, they could be guilty of negligence and medical malpractice. Also, if they do not prescribe the right treatment, you could have a case against them. Medical malpractice is defined as any deviation from the acceptable standard of care.
Learn more by contacting a New York medical malpractice attorney at the Law Offices of Joseph M. Lichtenstein, PC.