The main signs and symptoms of bladder cancer are the presence of blood in the urine, pain when urinating and constant and urgent urge to urinate. However, at the time of urination, the person has difficulty or can not eliminate the urine.
If the bladder cancer is in a later stage, there may be pain in the pelvis region, swelling in the lower limbs and rectal bleeding.
Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary tract. The tumor usually begins in the mucosa which covers the inner wall of the bladder and is superficial.
However, if the cancer begins in layers of cells deeper in the mucosa, the tumor may reach the muscular layer of the bladder and spread to neighboring organs and lymph nodes.
If the cancer cells reach the blood or lymphatic circulation, bladder cancer can reach organs far from their origin, a serious condition known as metastasis.
Bladder cancer mainly affects men over 60 years of age. Smoking is the major risk factor for tumor development.
It is worth remembering that there are several diseases and conditions that can manifest the same signs and symptoms of bladder cancer, with urinary infection, prostate changes, among others.
Therefore, the presence of these manifestations does not properly mean that the person has the disease, but it is necessary to investigate. In the presence of these symptoms, consult a general practitioner, family doctor or urologist.
