Some New Findings On Bladder Cancer Research

By Amanda Bean


Bladder cancer research studies have given a great insight into the pathology of the disease. Better understanding of the disease has in turn has made it possible to develop better management protocols. Current there are many research activities still continuing throughout the world. Some of the areas that have generated a lot of interest among the medical fraternity in this area include the aetiology, precipitating factors and epidemiological characteristics.

Many new treatments are now routinely practiced in some places. Some of the most advanced treatments that are available for consideration include gene therapy, immunotherapy, laparoscopic surgery and personalised chemotherapy. Perhaps the most interesting of them is gene therapy. In this type, the cancerous cells are targeted at gene level just as the name suggest. Interfering with the reproductive mechanism halts the uncontrolled proliferation.

Studies show that the prevalence of this cancer is at 400,000 in the United States. The incidence is about 16,000 every year. These statistics mean that the disease is huge public problem that should be taken seriously. Mortality is mainly cause by the high grade types that are also very invasive. Early identification and treatment helps reduce mortality significantly.

This cancer is also a common problem in pet dogs. The type found in dogs is mainly the high grade type. Dogs are usually noted to have urinary obstruction symptoms as the first sign at which time the disease is usually advanced. The commonest histological type is known as transitional cell carcinoma. Fortunately, there are treatment modalities that can be used when the disease is identified early. Studies conducted in dogs have been the main source of data on the disease.

Some factors have been shown to predispose to the condition. Among the most important is smoking which contributes to more than a third of the cases according to results of study done in the UK in the year 2010. Smokers are four times more likely to contract the condition than the non-smokers. The risk is highest in chain smokers.

Persons who work in some industries such as those that deal with dyes and rubber are at a particularly increased risk. This occupational risk has been known since as far back as the nineteenth century but it took close to 50 years to be proven scientifically. Amines found in the dyes have been shown to be highly carcinogenic. The common ones include benzidine and naphthalene.

Some drugs and medical procedures may also increase the risk especially if used repeatedly. Cyclophosphamide and phenacetin are well known examples. Cyclophosphamide is a useful antitumor agent but may affect the urinary system as an adverse effect. The main medical procedure that may predispose is pelvic irradiation.

Bladder cancer research will only be helpful if the results are well recorded in a properly managed data base. Patient details should be kept in a confidential but an accessible area to authorised personnel. Some studies will require that data is kept for several years or even decades. For this reason, good management is key. Response to different therapies and interventions should be clearly indicated in patient files. It is these results that influence future decision making.




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