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.
Many new treatments are now routinely practiced in some places. Some of the most advanced treatments that are available for consideration include gene therapy, immunotherapy, laparoscopic surgery and personalised chemotherapy. Perhaps the most interesting of them is gene therapy. In this type, the cancerous cells are targeted at gene level just as the name suggest. Interfering with the reproductive mechanism halts the uncontrolled 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.
Some factors have been shown to predispose to the condition. Among the most important is smoking which contributes to more than a third of the cases according to results of study done in the UK in the year 2010. Smokers are four times more likely to contract the condition than the non-smokers. The risk is highest in chain smokers.
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.
Many new treatments are now routinely practiced in some places. Some of the most advanced treatments that are available for consideration include gene therapy, immunotherapy, laparoscopic surgery and personalised chemotherapy. Perhaps the most interesting of them is gene therapy. In this type, the cancerous cells are targeted at gene level just as the name suggest. Interfering with the reproductive mechanism halts the uncontrolled 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.
Some factors have been shown to predispose to the condition. Among the most important is smoking which contributes to more than a third of the cases according to results of study done in the UK in the year 2010. Smokers are four times more likely to contract the condition than the non-smokers. The risk is highest in chain smokers.
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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