A bladder cyst appears when the epithelial cells of the bladder begin to multiply at a rapid pace in an abnormal manner. The following article sheds more light on the same.
Tumors are outgrowths that can occur in any part of the body without warning. They can be malignant (cancerous), or benign (non cancerous), in nature. There can be a number of reasons why they appear. It can be due to the presence of toxins in the body, an illness which may trigger unnatural development of the cells, and sometimes it can even be hereditary. A bladder tumor appears in the urinary bladder; especially in its lining.
The bladder is an organ of the urinary system which stores the urine until it is expelled from the body. This urine may contain toxins at times, which may trigger the unnecessary development of epithelial cells in the bladder.
Other factors responsible for a tumor in the bladder is the presence of a urinary tract infection (UTI), exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, and also due to a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis. Though tumors are mostly benign in nature, there are chances that they can turn malignant in the absence of a proper diagnosis. This leads to bladder cancer, which can be life-threatening and even fatal in some cases. Hence, to prevent any unnecessary complications, it is essential to be aware of its symptoms.
Symptoms
For reasons unknown, there is a higher occurrence of bladder cysts in men as compared to women. But the symptoms are almost similar. However, the signs may vary according to the size, type, and propagation of the disease. The initial signs may be mild, and are often overlooked.
- One of the early symptoms exhibited is traces of blood in the urine, accompanied by pain, and a burning sensation, while relieving oneself. This condition is known as hematuria, and can also be observed as one of the signs of bladder cancer.
- There may be severe back or abdominal pain, which may radiate to other parts of the body. Sometimes the pain and discomfort may be so intense that moving around becomes difficult.
- Some individuals may suffer from urinary incontinence, and may also need to urinate frequently.
- Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss are some of the other common signs of a bladder tumor.
Treatment
It is always beneficial to monitor and treat the symptoms of bladder tumor in the initial stages. This helps prevent unnecessary complications, and stops it from becoming more severe. Consulting a medical practitioner is always advisable. Before administering treatment, the doctor may conduct a battery of tests to diagnose the nature of the tumor (benign or malignant) with the help of a biopsy. It also helps determine the cause and severity of the symptoms.
In case of the presence of any bladder infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics as treatment. In case it tests positive for malignancy, surgically removing the tumor is the best option. It also involves removal of other affected parts of the bladder. Treatment may also involve chemotherapy and radiation to destroy the cancerous cells and curb their metastasis.
A routine health checkup is always advised, as it can prevent this disorder from affecting you adversely.
