This week, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, mayor of Rouen, nevertheless put words to the pathology from which he has suffered for 2 years. In an open letter, he spoke about “breaking taboos”.
As Lori Cirefice, president of the Cancer Bladder association, recently explained to us, “ no one likes to talk about their natural needs. Unlike breast cancer, for example, which is highly publicized, celebrities are less inclined to talk about their bladder cancer. »
Understanding the disease
This pathology is characterized by the anarchic development of abnormal cells in the bladder mucosa, gradually forming a malignant tumor. The main risk factor identified is smoking, responsible for more than 50% of cases in men and 40% in women. No wonder there. Toxic substances from tobacco, transported by the blood to the kidneys, concentrate in the urine, directly exposing the bladder to these carcinogens.
Frequent urges and blood in the urine: warning signs
The most characteristic symptom is hematuria – the presence of blood in the urine. Urgent and frequent urges to urinate can also be a warning sign. It is crucial to consult quickly when faced with these symptoms, particularly for women who tend to minimize these signs and are often diagnosed at more advanced stages.
The diagnosis is made by three examinations:
- an ultrasound of the urinary tract;
- a urine test, called urine cytology, which aims to see if your urine contains cancer cells;
- a cystoscopy which will allow you to inspect the inside of your bladder and take samples if necessary.
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease
Treatment must adapt to the progression of the disease. Several options are available to patients:
- If the bladder cancer is non-invasive, that is, limited to the mucosa – the first layer of the bladder wall – surgery is the first-line treatment.
- If the bladder cancer is invasive, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be combined.
- If the cancer has metastasized far from the bladder, the main treatment is chemotherapy, without surgery.
Finally, as Lori Cirefice told us, “ bladder cancer is very recurrent “. Drug treatments can be implemented as an adjuvant, after surgery, in order to reduce the risk of recurrence and progression for the highest risk tumors.
To note : The National Cancer Institute establishes that in the case of bladder cancer, the 5-year survival is 55% in men and 49% in women.
Source: National Cancer Institute
