The sixth most common cancer in the United States, bladder cancer cases have risen at a steady pace in recent years. Over 50,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, with about 20 percent dying annually from the disease.

There is hope, however. With ongoing research and steady progress in treatment options, the mortality rates are slowing. As with any disease, early detection in key in slowing or eliminating the progression of bladder cancer.

Smoking and long-term chemical exposure (such as industrial paints and solvents) are contributing factors to bladder cancer, with smoking attributing to an estimated 50 percent of all cases.

Symptoms you should be aware of include:

  • Painless blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Frequent Urination

Please note these symptoms can be a sign of many other conditions, such as kidney or bladder infections. Only a thorough exam by a qualified physician can give you a diagnosis. The physicians at Cleveland Urologic Surgery, PA are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder and other urologic cancers.

For more information about bladder cancer click here.

What is Kidney or upper urinary tract cancer?

Cancer of the upper urinary tract is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues of the kidneys, and/or in the ureters that connect the kidneys to the bladder.

Inside the urinary tract and kidneys is a special lining that is part of the sophisticated filtering process of the blood. While providing a barrier system to eliminate waste from the body, the constant exposure to chemicals and carcinogens make it susceptible to abnormal cell growth. Long-term exposure to chemicals, radiation and tobacco increase the risk of developing ureter and renal cancer, the fifth most common non-skin malignancy in the United States.

Symptoms you should be aware of include:

  • Painless blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Pain in the lower back, side, sometimes with nausea

These symptoms can also indicate less serious conditions that can only be diagnosed through x-ray tests and examination by a qualified physician.

For more information about ureter and renal cancer click here.