Bladder cancer mostly begins in the urothelial cells that line the bladder. The condition is treatable if detected early, but regular checkups are necessary as it can relapse despite successful treatment. So, it’s important to visit a doctor immediately if one notices abnormalities like blood in the urine or discolored urine. This article discusses the symptoms, diet, and treatment methods for bladder cancer.

Symptoms

• Blood in the urine
  This is one of the common symptoms of bladder cancer, but it can also occur due to other conditions. Additionally, the blood may not be visible to the naked eye in some cases.
• Frequent/urgent urination
  People may feel the need to urinate frequently or may experience sudden urges to urinate.
• Pain in the lower back/abdomen
  One may experience lower back or abdominal pain, and advanced bladder cancer may also cause pain in the pelvis.
• Pain while urinating
  Pain experienced while urinating may arise from the urethra or perineum.

Foods to eat for bladder cancer

• Cruciferous and leafy vegetables
  Researchers believe that consuming fresh vegetables can reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 10 percent. Particularly, leafy vegetables contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight cancer. Broccoli, kale, spinach, and sweet potatoes are beneficial vegetables for people dealing with bladder cancer.
• Fresh fruits
  Like vegetables, fruits can also help reduce bladder cancer risk by 10 percent. They contain minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are necessary for fighting cancer, and berries and citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit can prove extremely beneficial.
• Protein-rich food
  Proteins help maintain the immune system and build muscles, and consuming protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, eggs, soy, and nuts can be helpful for cancer patients.
• Sources of healthy fats
  Fats are essential for several processes in the body, including cell repair, nutrient absorption, and hormone production. Sources of healthy fats include olive oil, seeds, avocados, and nuts and seeds.
• Tea
  Green tea contains polyphenols, and some studies have shown that these micronutrients reduce cancer risk. That said, research on a link between cancer and tea is ongoing.

Treatment options

Surgery

• Transurethral resection of bladder tumor
  This procedure is generally used for diagnosis, staging, and treatment of bladder cancer. It can eliminate cancer for people with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, but further treatments are required to prevent relapse.
• Cystectomy
  During this surgery, the doctor removes some or all parts of the bladder. A radical cystectomy involves the removal of the entire bladder as well as the lymph nodes in the pelvis.
• Neobladder reconstruction
  Neobladder reconstruction provides an alternate way for the urine to pass post radical cystectomy. In this method, the surgeon will use a part of the intestine to create a urinary reservoir and connect it to the urethra, creating a neobladder. This will allow people to urinate normally post-surgery.

Radiation therapy
High-powered and powerful beams of energy, like x-rays, are used to find and kill cancerous cells in this treatment procedure. The radiation is projected at specific points from an external machine.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses high doses of medication to kill cancerous cells in the body:

• Through a vein
  Intravenous chemotherapy is generally administered before or after surgery to help kill any cancerous cells that may be left after surgery and maximize the chances of successful treatment.
• Intravesical or directly into the bladder
  This method is most effective in cases wherein cancer has affected the outer lining of the bladder rather than the muscles. A urologist passes a catheter through the urethra directly into the bladder to administer the medications.

Targeted therapy
Medications used for targeted therapy focus on the weaknesses present in cancerous cells, causing them to die. It is generally used to treat advanced cases where cancer has failed to respond to other treatments.

Immunotherapy

• Through a vein
  This type of immunotherapy is used to treat advanced bladder cancer or relapse.
• Intravesical or directly into the bladder
  This method is recommended post TURBT and is used for small cancers that haven’t grown into the muscles.