Bladder Cancer Radiotherapy

Bladder cancer is not as common as other types of cancer, such as lung and breast cancer, but in 2011 the American Cancer Society is projecting almost 70,000 new cases. In the last 20 years, the bladder cancer rate has been considerably consistent, and it’s more likely to affect males rather than females. Once the presence of cancerous cells is detected, patients can receive bladder cancer radiotherapy in order to counterattack the growth of the malignant cells. Radiotherapy is typically administered prior to having surgery because the cells can be weakened and shrunk, and this way the tumor will be easier to remove with surgery.

Bladder Cancer Risk Factors

Bladder cancer can certainly appear spontaneously, especially if there is medical history in the family of other relatives suffering from it. Nonetheless, you must remember that there is a series of factors that could increase you risk of developing bladder cancer. Some of these factors are the following:

• Smoking tobacco –studies by the American Cancer Society have proven that smokers are three times more likely to develop bladder cancer.
• Arsenic – high levels of arsenic in drinking water can increase the chances of developing bladder cancer,
• Rubber – workers in the rubber industry have developed bladder cancer after being exposed to various chemical components used in rubber making.
• Dye –benzidine is a potent chemical used in the production of dyes, and has also proven to cause pancreatic and bladder cancer

If the cancer is detected in the early stages, the patient can be treated with bladder cancer radiotherapy prior to having surgery to remove the tumor.

Bladder Cancer Radiotherapy Treatment

When using bladder cancer radiotherapy to fight the cells, oncologists make use of special equipment that can administer a powerful high-energy beam. This beam contains radiation (just like the typical x-rays) that aggressively aims to destroy the cancerous cells, and it can be performed before or after the surgery. A lot of times, bladder cancer patients will receive radiotherapy only, if they are not well-enough to resist surgery. The frequency with which a patient is scheduled to receive bladder cancer radiotherapy will be determined by the oncologist, but most of the timeit’s prescribed for five days a week, for a six or seven-week period. In some other cases, the radiation is done internally, where a small container with radiation is placed close or in the tumor.

Side Effects to Expect

Bladder cancer radiotherapy can come with numerous side effects, just like any other type of treatment or medication. Indeed, people won’t have the same reaction and there are chances that you may not even experience one type of side effect; however, it’s important that you understand the possibility of risks and side effects. Some of the possible side effects that stem from bladder cancer radiotherapy are the following:

• Infection
• Diarrhea
• Radiation cystitis in the bladder
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Moreover, statistics have proven that a grand majority of patients that receive bladder cancer radiotherapy are expected to live for another five years, after being diagnosed with the disease.