bladder carcinoma

Bladder Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Bladder cancer can be a serious condition if left untreated, but knowing its signs and symptoms can help with early detection and treatment.

• Blood in Urine: The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine (pee), also known as hematuria. This may cause changes to the color of the urine, such as turning it orange or cola-colored [1][6][7].
• Frequent Urination: Frequent urination can be a symptom of bladder cancer, although this is more commonly associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder stones [2][11].
• Painful Urination: Painful urination can also be a symptom of bladder cancer, but it's often caused by other conditions like UTIs or an overactive bladder [2][11].
• Back Pain: Back pain can be a symptom of bladder cancer if the tumor has spread to the bones [3].

It's essential to note that these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than cancer, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate in men. However, it's crucial to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated if needed [2].

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment.

References:

[1] Context result 6 [2] Context result 2 [3] Context result 3 [6] Context result 6 [7] Context result 7 [11] Context result 11

Treatment Options for Bladder Carcinoma

Bladder carcinoma, also known as bladder cancer, can be treated using various drug treatments, depending on the stage and grade of the disease.

• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to help your immune system fight cancer. This approach can be given directly into the bladder (intravesical therapy) or through a vein (systemic immunotherapy). [1][5]
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves using medications to kill cancer cells. Intravesical chemotherapy is used for bladder cancer that hasn't invaded deeply into the lining of the bladder, where the chemo drug is put right into the bladder. [6]
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy drugs specifically target cells with genetic changes (such as FGFR inhibitors) and can help treat some people with bladder cancer. [7][11]

Approved Treatments

The following treatments have been approved by the FDA for treating bladder carcinoma:

• Enfortumab Vedotin and Pembrolizumab: A two-drug combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab (EV/pembro) was approved in 2023 to treat certain types of bladder cancer. [8]
• N-803 (Anktiva): The immunotherapy-boosting drug N-803, marketed under the brand name Anktiva, was approved by the FDA in April 2024 for treating bladder cancer. [9]

Expanded Access

For patients with serious or immediately life-threatening diseases, including bladder carcinoma, Expanded Access may be a potential pathway to gain access to investigational medical products (drugs) outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available. [10]

The differential diagnosis for bladder carcinoma, also known as urothelial carcinoma, involves considering various other conditions that can mimic or coexist with this type of cancer.

Common Differential Diagnoses

• High-grade urothelial carcinoma: This is a type of bladder cancer that is similar to urothelial carcinoma but has more aggressive features.
• Lymphoma: A type of blood cancer that can affect the urinary system and mimic bladder cancer symptoms.
• Sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that can occur in the bladder or surrounding tissues, often with a poor prognosis.

Other Conditions to Consider

• Renal cancer (kidney cancer): Can present with similar symptoms to bladder cancer, such as hematuria (blood in the urine).
• Prostate cancer: Can cause urinary symptoms that may be mistaken for bladder cancer.
• Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder): Can cause similar symptoms to bladder cancer, including pain and bleeding.

Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for ensuring appropriate treatment and management. A range of differential diagnoses must be considered due to the overlap of symptoms with other urological and systemic conditions.

• According to [1], the main differential diagnoses for small cell carcinoma of the bladder are high-grade urothelial carcinoma, lymphoma, and sarcoma.
• The reported 10-year survival rate associated with micropapillary carcinoma of the bladder is only 24%, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment [2].
• Clinicopathologic correlation is critical in differentiating bladder cancer from other conditions, and immunohistochemical panels can be helpful in this process [3].

References

[1] Nonomura N. Urinary markers for bladder cancer diagnosis: A review of current status and future challenges. Int J Urol. 2024 Mar. 31 (3):208-219.

[2] The reported 10-year survival rate associated with micropapillary carcinoma of the bladder is only 24%.

[3] Clinicopathologic correlation is critical in differentiating bladder cancer from other conditions, and immunohistochemical panels can be helpful in this process.