What are the early symptoms of bladder cancer? What is the cure rate of bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer refers to a variety of malignant tumors originating from the bladder, that is, abnormal cells proliferate in large numbers and without control. The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine. Its outer wall is mainly composed of muscle and is located in the lower abdomen. The most common bladder cancer cells come from the mucosal epidermis of the inner surface of the bladder, and its official name is transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The main risk factor for bladder cancer is genetic influence. In addition, people who smoke, have long-term contact with certain dyes (containing aniline, such as textile factory workers may be exposed to), gasoline or other chemicals are also at a higher risk. Animal experiments have shown that long-term and large-scale consumption of an artificial sweetener "saccharin" (saccharin) in mice can cause bladder cancer, but there have been no similar reports in humans; there are no similar reports of another more commonly used artificial sweetener, aspartame.

Typical symptoms of bladder cancer include hematuria, bladder irritation, urinary obstruction, etc. In late stage, when the tumor invades the tissues and organs around the bladder or there is pelvic lymph node metastasis, it will cause bladder pain, urethro-vaginal fistula, lower limb edema and other corresponding symptoms. In distant metastasis, there may also be impaired function of the metastatic organ, bone pain and cachexia. Its specific clinical manifestations are described as follows.

1. Hematuria: Painless macroscopic hematuria is the most common symptom, which may occur in more than 80% of patients, of which 17% have severe hematuria, but 15% may only have microscopic hematuria at the beginning. Hematuria is mostly intermittent throughout the whole process, and may also manifest as initial hematuria or terminal hematuria. Some patients may discharge blood clots or necrotic tissue. The duration of hematuria and the amount of bleeding are related to the malignancy, stage, size, number, range, and morphology of the tumor, but they are not necessarily proportional. Carcinoma in situ often manifests as microscopic hematuria, and hematuria in urachal carcinoma of the bladder may not be obvious. Bladder tumors of non-urothelial origin may not have hematuria if the lesions do not penetrate the bladder mucosa.

2. Bladder irritation symptoms: frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination, accounting for about 10%, are related to widespread carcinoma in situ and invasive bladder cancer, especially when the lesion is located in the bladder triangle. Therefore, patients with long-term "cystitis" that cannot be cured should be alert to the possibility of bladder cancer, especially carcinoma in situ.

3. Symptoms of urinary obstruction: Large tumors, tumors at the bladder neck, and blood clots can cause urinary difficulties or even urinary retention. Tumor infiltration of the ureteral orifice can cause upper urinary tract obstruction, resulting in low back pain, hydronephrosis, and renal impairment.

The onset of bladder cancer is a multi-factor, multi-gene, and multi-step process. The accumulation of abnormal genotypes and the effects of the external environment ultimately lead to the appearance of a malignant phenotype. The specific causes of the disease are described below.

1. Carcinogens in drinking water: Drinking tap water that has been disinfected with chlorine and contains chlorination byproducts can increase the risk of bladder cancer. Arsenic contamination in drinking water in Taiwan, my country and Argentina in South America is also associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

2. Coffee: Coffee drinkers have a higher risk of bladder cancer than non-coffee drinkers, but there is no dosage or time trend between the two. The results of epidemiological studies have ruled out a strong correlation between coffee and bladder cancer, but do not rule out a correlation between the two.

3. Urinary tract diseases: Long-term chronic stimulation of the urethral epithelium or increased levels of carcinogens in the urine caused by human metabolic products can cause the urethral epithelium to proliferate and then become cancerous. For example, bladder squamous cell carcinoma is related to Schistosoma haematobium infection or bladder stones.

4. Drugs: Taking large amounts of painkillers containing phenacetin can increase the risk of bladder cancer. Currently, this drug has been discontinued. The risk of bladder cancer in lymphoma patients treated with cyclophosphamide can increase several times, and the tumor is often invasive.

5. Artificial sweeteners: Studies in the late 1970s reported that sweeteners could increase the risk of bladder cancer in men by 60%, but subsequent studies have failed to confirm this correlation. Therefore, the International Agency for Research on Cancer no longer lists sweeteners as carcinogens for human bladder cancer.

6. Family history: The risk of bladder cancer in the direct relatives of bladder cancer patients is about twice that of those without a family history. The risk is even higher in the direct relatives of young bladder cancer patients.

Reducing environmental and occupational exposure may reduce the risk of urothelial carcinoma. About 70% of patients relapse after transurethral resection. Postoperative intravesical instillation of BCG or chemotherapy drugs can reduce the recurrence rate to 25% to 40%. Commonly used instillation chemotherapy drugs include mitomycin, doxorubicin, thiotepa, hydroxycamptothecin, etc. The 5-year survival rate of patients with invasive bladder cancer after total cystectomy is 60% to 70%.

Bladder cancer should be treated promptly, otherwise it will worsen and cause a lot of harm to the patient. Prevention of bladder cancer is very important. Avoiding exposure to risk factors for bladder cancer can effectively prevent the occurrence of this disease. The specific prevention measures are described below.

1. All workers who come into contact with chemicals and radioactive substances should strengthen labor protection and have regular physical examinations.

2. After surgery or chemotherapy for bladder cancer, check-up should be done every 3 months and traditional Chinese medicine should be used to strengthen the body.

3. Try to avoid unnecessary radiation examinations and contact with chemicals such as arsenic, mercury, cyanide, etc.

4. Strengthen the promotion of cancer prevention knowledge, popularize cancer prevention knowledge, and try to achieve early diagnosis and early treatment.

5. Actively exercise to improve the body's immune ability.

6. Eat foods rich in vitamins, ensure intake of nutritious foods, and eat less spicy and greasy foods.

7. Quit smoking and drinking. During the treatment and recovery period, you should be careful about your daily life and have moderate sex. Women of childbearing age should use contraception. Exercise moderately without causing fatigue.

8. Use alkylating agents and certain immune preparations with caution, and strictly follow their indications, dosages, and courses of treatment.

Syndrome differentiation and treatment 1. Drug treatment 1) Main symptoms of damp-heat descending type: frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, yellow and red urine with burning sensation, thirst, upset, soreness in the waist, edema of the lower limbs, or dribbling urination, short urine, or even obstruction, distended lower abdomen, red tongue, yellow and greasy fur, and thin and rapid pulse. Treatment method: clear away heat and dampness, and assist with hemostasis and laxative. Prescription: Use Xiaoji Yinzi (Danxi Xinfa) for stranguria as the main symptom, and Bazheng San (Taiping Huimin Hejijufang) for stasis as the main symptom. Xiaoji Yinzi: Shengdihuang, Xiaoji, Talc, Akebia, Pollen Typhae, Lotus Node, Light Bamboo Leaf, Angelica, Gardenia, and Roasted Licorice. Bazheng San: Plantago, Dianthus, Polygonum multiflorum, Talc, Gardenia, Roasted Licorice, Akebia, and Rhubarb. Add Dendrobium for severe thirst, and add Panax notoginseng powder for excessive bleeding. Analysis: In Xiaojiyinzi, Xiaoji, Lotus Root, and Pollen Typhae cool blood, stop bleeding, and remove blood stasis; Talc, Akebia, and Light Bamboo Leaf clear heat, promote diuresis, and relieve stranguria; Gardenia clears the heart and relieves restlessness; Angelica and Rehmannia nourish Yin blood to prevent diuresis and damage to Yin; Licorice harmonizes all the medicines. In Bazhengsan, Plantago seed clears heat and promotes dampness, Dianthus treats stranguria with blood due to heat, Polygonum multiflorum separates clear and secretes turbidity, Talc relieves the six bowels, Gardenia cools the heart and kidneys, Akebia promotes diuresis, Rhubarb clears heat, and Licorice harmonizes all the medicines. 2) Main symptoms of cold-dampness accumulation type: urine retention, dripping or frequent urination, light red urine, and occasional blood clots. Cold limbs, fear of cold, distended lower abdomen, puffy body, pale complexion, pale and fat tongue, slightly greasy white fur, and deep and fine pulse. Treatment method: promote diuresis and eliminate dampness, warm yang and transform qi. Prescription: Wulingsan (Treatise on Febrile Diseases). Poria, Alisma, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria, Cinnamon twig. If the lower abdomen is bloated and uncomfortable, add Lindera strychnifolia, Chuanlianzi, and Corydalis. If the urine is turbid, add Radix Dioscoreae and Belamcanda; if the urine is bright red, add Xueyutan, Cirsium sibiricum, and Herba Agrimoniae. In the prescription, Alisma directly reaches the lower part of the body, promotes diuresis and eliminates dampness, while Poria is mildly penetrating; Poria promotes diuresis and strengthens the spleen, Atractylodes macrocephala strengthens the spleen and transports, transports body fluids, and eliminates dampness; Cinnamon twig warms the yang and transforms qi, and helps promote urination. 3) Main symptoms of stasis and toxicity accumulation type: severe abdominal pain, palpable masses, urinary obstruction, or dark red urine with mixed blood clots, dark purple tongue with petechiae, black fur, and wiry pulse. Treatment: activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, disperse knots and relieve pain. Prescription: Shixiaosan (Taiping Huimin Hejijufang). Take equal parts of Pollen Typhae and Fructus Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, mix them with strong vinegar to make two qian, and boil them into a paste. In the prescription, Puhuang can invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and can also stop bleeding. Wulingtong can promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis and relieve pain. Strong vinegar is added to help the two medicines to invigorate blood circulation, remove blood stasis and relieve pain. 4) Qi and blood deficiency type main symptoms: painless hematuria, or weak and unsmooth defecation, dizziness, pale complexion, lack of energy, fatigue in the limbs, poor appetite, pale tongue, thin white fur, and weak and thin pulse. Treatment method: replenishing qi and blood, strengthening the spleen and kidney. Prescription: Bazhen Decoction "Zhengti Leiyao". Angelica, Chuanxiong, white peony, cooked rehmannia, ginseng, white atractylodes, Poria, licorice. With backache, add wolfberry, Eucommia, raw rehmannia, psoralea; add bupleurum and cimicifuga. In the prescription, ginseng, cooked rehmannia, ginger, and jujube are sweet and warm to replenish qi and blood, white atractylodes, Poria strengthen the spleen and replenish qi, angelica and white peony nourish blood and nourish the camp, Chuanxiong invigorates blood circulation and qi, and licorice harmonizes the medicines. 5) Liver and kidney yin deficiency type main symptoms: prolonged hematuria, short and red urine, soreness of waist and knees, fever in the five hearts, night sweats, thin body, red tongue with thin fur, and fine pulse. Treatment: nourishing the liver and kidney. Prescription: Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Children's Medicine Formula). Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Chinese yam, Alisma orientalis, Poria cocos, and Cortex Moutan. If there is bone steaming, hot flashes, spermatorrhea, and night sweats, add Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Phellodendron chinense. If accompanied by cold limbs and fear of cold, add Psoralea corylifolia. Rehmannia glutinosa nourishes yin and kidney, replenishes essence and benefits marrow; Cornus officinalis nourishes liver and kidney and astringes essence, Chinese yam nourishes spleen and consolidates essence; Alisma orientalis drains kidney and eliminates dampness to prevent Rehmannia glutinosa from nourishing and greasy; Cortex Moutan clears and drains liver fire, controls the sourness of Cornus officinalis, Poria cocos lightly penetrates spleen dampness, and helps Chinese yam to function. Three tonifications and three purgations complement each other. 2. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment 1) Fine needle therapy for positive syndrome: Zhongji RN3, Bladder Shu BL28, Sanyinjiao SP6, Yinlingquan SP9, Chize LU5. Deficiency syndrome: Shenshu BL23, Pishu BL20, Sanjiao Shu BL22, Guanyuan RN4, Yingu, Eryinjiao SP6. 2) Auricular acupuncture therapy: Bladder, kidney, urethra, Sanjiao. 3) Plum blossom needle therapy: Renmai RN, kidney meridian KI, stomach meridian ST in the lower abdomen. 4) Acupoint injection: Zusanli ST36, Guanyuan RN4, Sanyinjiao SP6. Use vitamin Bl injection, inject 0.2-0.3ml into each acupoint. 5) Moxibustion therapy: Shenque RN8, Guanyuan RN4, Zhongji RN3, Mingmen DU4, Sanjiao Shu BL22, Sanyinjiao SP6. Acupoints: Baihui DU20, Shenshu BL23, Xiaochangshu BL27, Bladdershu BL28, Weiyang BL40, Yinlingquan SP9, Zhiyin BL67, etc. 3. Qigong therapy There are many Qigong schools and various exercises, but not every Qigong can cure cancer. Many exercises clearly state that patients with tumors cannot practice. 1) The key to practicing exercises is to unify the mind and qi, relax and be natural, combine movement and stillness, and combine practice and nourishment. 2) Commonly used exercises Guo Lin New Qigong Therapy; Chongjin Qigong. 4. Medicinal Diet Therapy 1) Lotus seeds, longan, and red dates, boiled in water, taken 3 times a day. 2) Glutinous rice and white sugar, boiled in water into porridge, twice a day. 3) A turtle, steamed. 4) Hawthorn, can be eaten at will. 5) Orange peel, brewed into tea. 6) Garlic.

5. Dietary therapy 1. 100g of fresh grape juice, 100g of fresh lotus root juice, 60g of fresh Rehmannia glutinosa juice, mix and boil in a clay pot, add appropriate amount of honey and serve warm, which can be used for bladder cancer hematuria and urinary pain. 2. 100g of fresh radish slices, marinate with white honey for a while, put on an iron plate and roast dry, then dip in honey and roast repeatedly until 50g of white honey is roasted. After cooling, chew slowly, and then drink two sips of light salt water to treat bladder cancer urinary pain. 3. 250g of sugar cane (chopped into small pieces), 100g of white imperata root cut into small sections, wrap them with cloth, and cook with 100g of mung beans with water until the beans are cooked, remove the sugar cane and imperata root, drink the soup and eat the beans, and you can also add appropriate amount of crystal sugar, which is used for bladder cancer with obvious hematuria.

1. During chemotherapy for bladder cancer, the diet should be small and refined. If vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and other symptoms occur during chemotherapy, most patients will eat less. Therefore, food should be alternated with high-quality protein and high-calorie food, and patients should insist on eating. If the patient does not eat enough food, intravenous injection of glucose, protein, etc. can be used.

2. Provide patients with more foods rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. Studies have shown that vitamin C can enhance the function of the interstitial matrix in cells, which is the first barrier to prevent the spread and generation of cancer cells. It can enhance resistance and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

3. Eat small and frequent meals. Patients can appropriately add some low-calorie, high-nutrition foods in addition to the three meals, such as biscuits, chocolate and egg products. When eating, be careful to avoid the peak period of chemotherapy drugs. If it is intravenous chemotherapy, it is best to eat on an empty stomach.

4. Bladder cancer patients should eat foods rich in vitamins, high-quality protein and light and nourishing foods.

1. Avoid spicy food; 2. Avoid greasy and high cholesterol food; 3. Avoid fried food.