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.
There are many new types of treatments that are slowly but surely becoming part of routine therapies. These include, among others, gene therapy, personalised chemotherapy, robotic surgery of the bladder and immunotherapy. Gene therapy is a highly selective process that targets the genetic mechanism of cancerous cells. The aim is to interfere with the reproductive mechanism and to halt the proliferation.
According to some recent studies, the prevalence of bladder cancer in the United States stands at about 400, 000 currently. The incidence is a staggering 16,000 cases per year. This makes the disease a major problem. Mortality is mainly due to the extremely aggressive, invasive types. Fortunately these affect a smaller proportion of patients. Early diagnosis is very important if cure is to be attained.
This type of tumour is also commonly seen in dogs. Affected animals will be noted to have obstructive symptoms within the urinary system. If the condition is not identified and treated in time, death ensues rapidly. This is because the common type of tumour in these animals is the invasive, high grade type. Histologically, the commonest type is transitional cell carcinoma. A number of clinical trials are on-going and the results so far are very promising.
The risk factors for the condition have been clearly profiled. Smoking remains the biggest risk factor contributing to about 35% of the cases according to a study conducted in the UK in 2010. Compared to non-smokers, smokers are four times more likely to get the tumour. The risk is proportional to the length and quantity of smoking.
Occupational exposure is another major risk factor. The condition has been demonstrated more frequently among persons working in rubber and dye industries. The first evidence of the cause and effect relationship was demonstrated in the 1950s. Amines are a component of many dyes and are thought to be the main contributing factor. Naphthylamine and benzidine are most notorious of the amines.
Besides the amines, there are several other drugs, medical procedures and conditions which have been shown to increase the risk. The drugs phenacetin and cyclophosphamide are some of the well known carcinogens. The medical procedure known to cause an increase is irradiation of the pelvic organs which is often required in treatment of testicular cancer and cervical cancer.
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.
There are many new types of treatments that are slowly but surely becoming part of routine therapies. These include, among others, gene therapy, personalised chemotherapy, robotic surgery of the bladder and immunotherapy. Gene therapy is a highly selective process that targets the genetic mechanism of cancerous cells. The aim is to interfere with the reproductive mechanism and to halt the proliferation.
According to some recent studies, the prevalence of bladder cancer in the United States stands at about 400, 000 currently. The incidence is a staggering 16,000 cases per year. This makes the disease a major problem. Mortality is mainly due to the extremely aggressive, invasive types. Fortunately these affect a smaller proportion of patients. Early diagnosis is very important if cure is to be attained.
This type of tumour is also commonly seen in dogs. Affected animals will be noted to have obstructive symptoms within the urinary system. If the condition is not identified and treated in time, death ensues rapidly. This is because the common type of tumour in these animals is the invasive, high grade type. Histologically, the commonest type is transitional cell carcinoma. A number of clinical trials are on-going and the results so far are very promising.
The risk factors for the condition have been clearly profiled. Smoking remains the biggest risk factor contributing to about 35% of the cases according to a study conducted in the UK in 2010. Compared to non-smokers, smokers are four times more likely to get the tumour. The risk is proportional to the length and quantity of smoking.
Occupational exposure is another major risk factor. The condition has been demonstrated more frequently among persons working in rubber and dye industries. The first evidence of the cause and effect relationship was demonstrated in the 1950s. Amines are a component of many dyes and are thought to be the main contributing factor. Naphthylamine and benzidine are most notorious of the amines.
Besides the amines, there are several other drugs, medical procedures and conditions which have been shown to increase the risk. The drugs phenacetin and cyclophosphamide are some of the well known carcinogens. The medical procedure known to cause an increase is irradiation of the pelvic organs which is often required in treatment of testicular cancer and cervical cancer.
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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