Bladder Dysfunction/Bladder Cancer
The urinary bladder stores urine as it is produced by the kidneys. In healthy adults the urine is held until the bladder is getting full and there is a suitable place to void. Anything that inhibits the ability to store the urine or pass (void) the urine will generate symptoms which can be variably bothersome. The vast majority of patients with bladder cancer are discovered after passing urine containing blood. Bladder cancer patients may also have urinary symptoms, but it is relatively unusual to have symptoms alone with no blood
Symptoms
The bladder is supposed to store urine and when affected by a number of conditions it can fails to do this and patients can then develop a number of storage symptoms.
If the bladder outflow tract is partially blocked e.g.by an enlarged prostate in men or the bladder muscle is weak and failing to push the urine out, then the patients may develop voiding symptoms.
Bladder and or urethral pain can exist alone or with other symptoms. It is uncommon with cancer but can be persistent and difficult to treat.
Blood in the urine or Haematuria can be visible to the eye or found only by testing the urine. Visible blood in the urine nearly always needs further investigations.
Investigations
These might include urine tests in the clinic, lab tests of urine and blood, and imaging. A bladder endoscopy (flexible cystoscopy) is often needed and an assessment of the prostate may be required for men.
Treatments
Bladder cancers usually require an operation. Initially this is usually an endoscopic day case procedure but occasionally patients require more major surgery, radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy. South Coast Urology has experts who can take you through all appropriate options.
Bladder dysfunction treatments range from lifestyle changes, through medication to bladder installations and occasionally surgery.
