Bladder cancer is the 6th most common cancer worldwide. Every year, 131,000 people in European Union countries and 74,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is 3-4 times more common in men than in women. However, female patients tend to present to the doctor at a more advanced stage.
Why Is Bladder Cancer Diagnosed at a More Advanced Stage in Women?
– Blood in the urine, known as hematuria, is the most common symptom of bladder cancer in both men and women. However, many women mistake this blood for menstrual bleeding and therefore do not consult a Urologist.
– Those who are concerned about this bleeding and do see a doctor often consult a Gynecologist, which delays the referral to a Urologist, thus delaying diagnosis and allowing the disease to progress.
– Symptoms such as burning during urination, painful urination, and frequent urination are other signs of bladder cancer. However, these symptoms are often mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI) and women may think they have cystitis, leading to delayed consultation with a Urologist and disease progression.
– The bladder wall in women is much thinner compared to men. As a result, the disease progresses much more rapidly in women.
What Should Be Done After a Bladder Cancer Diagnosis?
– The first step after a bladder cancer diagnosis is to remove the tumor through a Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT) surgery and send it for pathological examination.
– It is crucial that this surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon because the bladder wall in women is very thin, and there is a risk of perforation.
– A well-performed TURBT and subsequent pathology results determine the course of treatment and form the foundation of our approach.
– If the pathology report shows that the cancer has invaded the muscle layer of the bladder (Stage T2) or if the tumor is very large even in Stage T1, a Radical Cystectomy (bladder removal surgery) is necessary.
– After the bladder is removed, there are two methods for urine storage. The first method involves creating an external urine pouch using a segment of the intestine, known as an “Ileal Conduit.”
– The second method, if the disease has not spread to the urethra and the patient does not have kidney or liver failure, is to perform an “Orthotopic Bladder” (Neobladder) surgery. With this bladder made from the intestine, the patient does not have to carry an external urine pouch.
Important Information About Orthotopic Bladder Surgery
– Orthotopic bladder surgery, which is the largest surgery in urology, must be performed by an experienced surgeon who frequently conducts this surgery.
– Post-surgery, patients should be able to control their urination and urinate independently.
– After orthotopic bladder surgery, catheter use is not necessary.
– Creating a urine pouch on the abdominal wall is not a wrong method, but it prolongs the time until surgery and allows the disease to progress. Therefore, orthotopic bladder surgery helps patients decide to undergo surgery more easily, thus starting the treatment process before the disease progresses.
– All our surgeries are personally performed by Prof. Dr. Tahir Karadeniz.
– None of our female patients have used a catheter in the last three years, and all our patients urinate independently.