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5 stages of bladder cancer and their treatment options

The bladder, a hollow organ in the lower region of the abdomen, is designed to store urine produced by the kidneys. Bladder cancer refers to the growth of malignant cells in and around the surrounding tissue of the organ. The condition is progressive, and there are several stages to its development.

To find out the exact stage of bladder cancer, a CT (Computed Tomography) scan, MRI (Magnetic Resource Imaging) scan, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan, Chest X-ray, or bone scan is done. These tests help ascertain the spread of the cancer cells through the lymph nodes, body tissue, or circulatory system.

Bladder cancer can be classified into the following stages.

Stage 0

Stage 0 is further divided into noninvasive papillary carcinoma and carcinoma in situ. Noninvasive papillary carcinoma features long, thin growths on the lining of the bladder wall. On the other hand, carcinoma in situ are tumorous growths on the tissue inside. Often for stage 0, specialists may perform a transurethral resection (TURBT) followed by intravesical therapy. However, in some cases, a partial cystectomy is also performed.

Stage I

The cancerous tissue previously affecting the lining of the bladder spreads to connective tissue in stage 1. At this stage, the cancer is still not invasive but can quickly move along the connective tissue, attacking the healthy cells nearby. A TURBT, cystectomy, or radiation therapy is the best approach to manage stage I cancer.

Stage II

Stage II is where the cancer starts to grow and abnormal cells move rapidly along the connective tissue and reach the muscles along the bladder. At this stage, the cancer tissue is more invasive and can spread at a faster rate, affecting the cells nearby. A combination of TURBT, cystectomy, and radiation therapy are explored for stage II.

Stage III

In stage III, the risk of complications is high, as the cancer can spread to the reproductive organs or lymph nodes that connect major pelvic arteries. The abnormal cell growth can directly affect the prostate, seminal vesicles, vagina, or uterus. The iliac arteries are at major risk as well. Depending on the severity of the condition, Stage III can be managed with TURBT, cystectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy.

Stage IV

In the last stage of development, the cancer is more aggressive and invasive, as it spreads beyond the abdomen wall or penetrates the lymph nodes. In this stage, the extent of the spread can affect other organs and structures in the body, including the bones, lungs, or liver. Multiple types of radiation therapy and surgery are the only viable options for stage IV bladder cancer.

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