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Actos Side Effects:  When applied to TCC, the term “superficial” can be misleading, and some doctors would like to see the term discontinued. Many people equate the term “superficial” with “not very risky,” which isn’t always the case. In general, superficial TCC at the low or intermediate risk levels is a highly treatable form of bladder cancer with a good chance for an excellent outcome despite a moderate to high rate of recurrence (depending on the extent and nature of the tumor). But as we discussed in Chapter 3, some superficial TCCs are considered high risk and cariy an elevated chance that the cancer will not onfy recur, but may have progressed to a more dangerous stage when it does recur.

Luckily, only about 20 percent of those who experience a recurrence are diagnosed with a more advanced type of bladder cancer. What this means is that “superficial” bladder cancer, if and when if recurs, will usually come back again as a superficial cancer that can be managed by local means. However/ understanding your prognosis and being informed about the cancer’s possibility of recurrence are important parts of your overall treatment process.

Make sure that your multidisciplinary team – which may include your urologist, oncologist, pathologist, and radiation oncologist – welcomes your active involvement in your treatment plan and thoroughly explains each step of the process to you. It is worth mentioning that noninvasive bladder cancer is usually managed by a urologist with support from the pathologist and usually does not require a full multidisciplinary team unless it recurs repeatedly.

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Most likely at this point you’ve undergone some of the diagnostic tests discussed in Chapter 2.YouVe had tissue biopsied and classified as superficial TCC, and you probably underwent a flexible cystoscopy, during which your doctor thoroughly examined your bladder wall and made a “map” of the location of abnormal tissue or tumors that other diagnostic tests have confirmed. Sometimes more than one tumor will be present in the bladder, so your urologist will be veiy careful to look at the whole organ from the inside. The next step for you is likely to be resection (removal of the tumor), unless youVe already had a surgical biopsy or rigid cystoscopy. In that case, your doctor may have done a resection to avoid your having to undergo a second surgical procedure under anesthesia.

Undergoing a resection sounds more intimidating than it actually is. Think of it as the removal of the piece of the bladder where the tumor or abnormal cells are growing. This may effectively clear the bladder of tumor, bringing it to a state where only healthy tissue remains. When you have a bladder resection by means of a cystoscopy, as opposed to invasive surgery, you won’t have an incision or stitches, as no external cutting or incision is required.

Resecting (sometimes called endoscopic resection) is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Your doctor will use a resectoscope, which resembles a somewhat larger cystoscope. Like a cystoscope, it has a lighted lens and is introduced into your bladder through your urethra. (Don’t worry; you’ll be asleep under anesthesia and receiving pain medication while this is happening.)

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Your doctor will fill your bladder with water or a nonirritating clear liquid such as glycine, which expands the bladder walls and makes it easier to see tumors and abnormalities. Guided by the map made during the initial cystoscopy your doctor will use a small wire loop (through which a high-energy electrical current runs) to remove the cancer, a margin of healthy tissue, and a small amount of muscle. Any remaining cells are removed with an electric current or sometimes a high-powered laser. Sometimes your doctor will also take a few random tissue samples from other areas of your bladder to make sure that abnormal cells aren’t developing elsewhere. The tumor, healthy tissue, and muscle are then sent to your pathologist for examination. A small amount of muscle tissue is included in the tissue sample so that the pathologist can make sure the tumor hasn’t spread into the muscle wall. A margin of healthy tissue is taken to help decrease the chances that abnormal cells remain in the bladder.

Resection is usually carried out as outpatient surgery. This means that you probably will be able to go home the same day. (You’ll need to bring a driver with you as you’ll still be recovering from anesthesia and won’t be sufficiently alert to drive a car.) You may have some blood in your urine for a few days after a resection, and you may experience pain or stinging upon urination. The stinging urination can be eased by drinking lots of fluids and by taking simple pain medications prescribed by your urologist. If either condition lingers longer than two or three days, if other painful conditions occur, or if the bleeding becomes extensive, call your doctor right away.

In some circumstances, your doctor may choose to insert a catheter into your bladder for a short time (usually only one to two days) after the surgery, to prevent blood clots from obstructing the flow of urine and causing discomfort. The catheter allows blood and urine to gently drain out of the bladder and also allows your doctor to irrigate your bladder to promote complete healing of the resected area. On rare occasions, doctors will recommend another resection procedure. Sometimes the pathologist wants to biopsy muscle tissue from deeper in the bladder wall. And sometimes the tumor is too large to be safely removed all at once.

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Actos Side Effects : CAN CYTOLOGY BE USED INSTEAD OF CYSTOSCOPY TO RULE OUT BLADDER CANCER?

Urinary cytology is the examination of urine using special stains to look for cancer cells. These cells would have been those that have broken off (exfoliated) from the lining of the urinary tract. Voided urine is sent for analysis. First voided morning urine should not be used as there is a higher rate of cellular degeneration. To enhance the yield of cells, the bladder can be barbotaged (flushed). Cytology is most useful for high grade or aggressive tumors and for those with carcinoma in situ (CIS). In low to intermediate grade tumors, cytology may not be positive because these tumors may not exfoliate cells into the urine. In addition, if low grade tumor cells are exfoliated, they may appear to the pathologist to be identical to normal bladder cells. Due to the limitations of sensitivity of cytology, it is not a very good screening test, but proves to be valuable in following some individuals who have already been diagnosed and treated for bladder cancer.

Because a positive cytology is very specific for cancer, it is highly predictive of transitional cell cancer even if no tumor is visible during cystoscopy. Additional information can be obtained with urine cytology. The DNA content and measurement of the amount of abnormal DNA can be determined. In general, as the amount of abnormal DNA is increased, the prognosis is worsened.

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ARE THERE ANY OTHER URINE TESTS THAT ARE HELPFUL IN MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS?

There has been continued research and a subsequent array of urine tests to screen for bladder cancer. Some of these newer tests include:

Bladder Tumor Antigen (BTA): measures basement membrane protein antigen released into the urine, a protein from the bladder wall.

NMP22: measures nuclear matrix protein 22

Aura Teck FDP: measures fibrin, fibrinogen degradation

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Telomerase: measures the enzyme used to preserve telomeres (the ends of chromosomes required to continue cell division) Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronidase: substances which have a role in blood vessel growth in bladder tumors and tumor progression. ^[1] Research goes on and newer tests may prove to be both more sensitive (positive if cancer is present) and more specific (not positive for other reasons). At this time, none of the urine tests are sensitive enough to take the place of cystoscopy in the initial evaluation of an individual suspected to have bladder cancer. In general, cytology as an adjunct to cystoscopy is more helpful than any of the urine bladder cancer tests to date.

AS PART OF MY INITIAL WORK UP, MY PHYSICIAN HAS ORDERED A CAT SCAN. WHAT’S THE PURPOSE AND ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES?

When an individual has gross hematuria or persistent microscopic hematuria, a complete assessment of the urinary tract is required. Although cystoscopy is the test of choice for examination of the bladder, imaging studies are required to make sure there is no disease in the upper tracts (kidneys and ureters). Bleeding can be caused from many different disorders including transitional cell carcinoma of the upper tracts, kidney or ureteral stones, or renal cell carcinoma (cancer of the parenchyma or fleshy part of the kidneys). Your urologist has a number of options to choose from. There are advantages and disadvantages of each.

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is accomplished by injecting a contrast agent into your vein and then obtaining X ray images. The contrast is excreted by your kidneys, subsequently filling the lumen of the kidneys, ureters and the bladder. The contrast allows one to see subtle filling defects within chambers of the urinary tract, possibly representing tumor, stone or blood clot. Tumors of the fleshy part of the kidneys can also be seen. The study also allows for an assessment of renal function. It is a sensitive test for renal obstruction, which can occur because of cancer. Disadvantages of the study include the possibility of an IV contrast agent allergy, which occasionally may be serious.

You will be asked whether you have a sea food allergy, a known allergy to iodine or to IV contrast. If this is the case, you may need to be premedicated prior to the exam to avoid a reaction. Although the study is quite useful at visualizing the upper tracts, it is not very good at picking up subtle tumors on the bladder surface. If your kidneys do not function well (you have renal insufficiency), the contrast may cause harm to your kidneys and the imaging will not be as good. For pregnant women, any X ray exam could be potentially damaging to the fetus and therefore, will not be performed.

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Ultrasonography can check for a kidney tumor, stone, or obstruction. Bladders filled with urine can be scanned. There is no contrast or X rays involved, and therefore the study can be accomplished in those with renal disease, contrast allergies or for women who are pregnant. Although larger tumors of the bladder are often visible, it is not a good study to rule out urothelial cancer (transitional cell cancer of the urinary tract lining) since smaller tumors or flat tumors in the lining are not visible. Also, other conditions such as enlarged folds in the bladder or enlarged prostates can be confused with bladder tumors. Ultrasound exams are generally fast, painless, and relatively inexpensive. An ultrasound combined with cystoscopy plus cytology (to rule out cancer cells) is a reasonable assessment for those with a low likelihood of having upper tract disease.

CT Scan or CAT (computerized axial tomography) provides a computerized cross sectional visualization of the abdomen and pelvis. X ray images are synthesized into exquisitely detailed images. The CT scan can be done with or without IV contrast, and therefore has the same limitations as IVP in those with allergies to contrast or renal insufficiency. These studies are excellent for finding renal cell cancers and stones within the kidneys and ureter, but not very good at delineating cancers of the lining. CT scan is often an important part of staging bladder cancer, determining whether the cancer has spread.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a technology which uses strong magnets to provide detailed images of your internal organs. Like ultrasound, this study has no known harmful effects on the body. It does not require contrast injection like CT scan and can be done safely in patients with renal insufficiency. It is not generally used for initial screening. Many individuals find the test uncomfortable due to a loud noise heard throughout the test, in addition to the close quarters the machine requires, leading to feelings of claustrophobia. A mild sedative may be required if the test is necessary and the individual experiences these uncomfortable feelings.

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MY FAMILY WANTS ME TO GO FOR TREATMENT OF MY BLADDER CANCER TO THE “TEACHING HOSPITAL” IN THE CITY MY LOCAL UROLOGIST IS COMPETENT AND CARING AND I TRUST HIS JUDGEMENT SHOULD I LISTEN TO MY FAMILY AND SWITCH UROLOGISTS?

As we have discussed in the preceding questions, finding an excellent urologist to partner with is a must. A physician established at a “teaching hospital” (a hospital where physicians are trained in their respective fields of specialty) is at the minimum, competent. A large teaching or academic center would not risk its reputation on an individual who is sub par. Some individuals may be world class surgeons, but not all will be. An individual may be an average surgeon, but a gifted teacher or researcher, making them invaluable to their academic center. Your local community urologist will likely be an individual trained at one of these academic teaching hospitals. In addition, community hospitals also have credentialing and quality review programs to weed out incompetent physicians. In general, it is true the academic center will have more stringent standards and review of their staff. Nevertheless, excellent physicians can be found at the community hospital as well.

ISN’T IT TRUE THAT ACADEMIC OR TEACHING HOSPITALS WILL HAVE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY OR MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION TO TREAT MY CANCER?

These hospitals generally are at the forefront of innovation regarding technological advances, testing and implementation of new surgical techniques and chemotherapeutic regimens. However, no one center can be excellent in all spheres of medicine. Each will have particular strengths and weaknesses. We are however, fortunate medical knowledge and innovation are shared openly via medical journals and conferences and other means of information exchange. New information and proven effective techniques are rapidly disseminated throughout the medical community. Some teaching hospitals may be “centers of excellence” for a particular procedure or innovative approach that is available at only a few sites in the country. There is naturally a lag time for some procedures to spread to the local level, and if in fact a new procedure carries substantial benefits compared to the standard, and is not available locally, then a referral may be appropriate.

Medical information is scrutinized in journals and reviewed at conferences. The newest treatment regimens for advanced cancer are explored in clinical trials to determine their efficacy and safety. It is only after they are proven that they become adopted as standard practice by most physicians. For the vast majority of individuals with bladder cancer, excellent, comprehensive treatment can be obtained at the local level. For those requiring more specialized care or for those unfortunate individuals with advanced cancer who desire experimental therapy via a clinical trial for their cancer, a referral to the appropriate center may be appropriate.

IF I HAVE MY MAJOR SURGERY PERFORMED AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL, WILL THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN PERFORM MY SURGERY AND TAKE CARE OF ME AFTERWARDS?

At a teaching hospital, physicians are in training to master their skills before going out into “practice” in their respective fields. Interns are fresh out of medical school with limited practical training. Often they are referred to as PGY 1 (post graduate year 1). Years of training follow (PGY2, PGY3 etc.). Urology residents are required to generally have at least two years of training in a surgical program followed by four years in urology residency. It is the responsibility of the residency director to provide adequate training for these future urologists while assuring patient safety. Practically speaking, there are usually one or more attending physicians who supervise the work of the physicians in training. The attending physicians are board certified, experienced physicians who treat patients while simultaneously training physicians. The residents will be a key component in your care. They will be assessing you both pre- and post-operatively and will be writing orders directing your care. How much of the surgery they get to do is dependent on their years of training and their skills. They will be under the direct supervision of the attending physician. If you have concerns, you should address them with your attending physician.

MY UROLOGIST ALWAYS KEEPS ME WAITING, DOES THIS MEAN HE DOESN’T CARE?

Given the monetary pressures in today’s medical practice, some physicians are over booked and cannot see the allotted number of patients scheduled without delays. The theory behind this schedule is the expectation that a number of patients will not show for their appointment, allowing the physician to stay true to the schedule and not fall behind.

However, sometimes all of the patients do show, and the physician is delayed. Even with a carefully thought out schedule, emergencies may arise and some visits unexpectedly take longer than scheduled. The physician wants to devote the time and attention required for each individual. After all, you also expect the same time and attention during your visit. Even the most conscientious physician may find himself running behind in a busy medical practice. This lateness should be recognized by the physician who will often acknowledge it with an apology. If you find it distressing to wait more than fifteen minutes (a reasonable time to wait), you should discuss your feelings with your physician, who often can arrange an appointment at the beginning of the schedule when he will almost be guaranteed to be on time.

WILL THERE BE OTHER PHYSICIANS INVOLVED IN MY TREATMENT OF BLADDER CANCER?

You may need to be referred to an oncologist, a physician specialist in the medical therapy of cancer. At times, a referral to a radiation oncologist, a specialist who treats cancer with radiation, may be required. Other individuals may need to be consulted as well. It is important for your urologist to keep your primary care physician up to date so that he can coordinate your care and if required by your insurance plan, make the appropriate referrals.

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On a regular basis, magazine articles, books, and television shows implore those with major illnesses to seek out a second opinion. The general consensus is there is much to be gained and little to be lost, so why not seek out a second opinion? The issue certainly is more complicated than generally addressed, and deserves a review. The following chapter provides a second opinion on second opinions.

WHAT ABOUT SECOND OPINIONS?

In general, a competent physician will recommend a second opinion if there is uncertainty regarding your care. This uncertainty could involve the pathology report or debate regarding the most appropriate treatment options. Certainly if the pathology report is in question, a second opinion is mandatory! Your urologist should be able to spell out his treatment plans for you, what to expect and what alternatives may be required, depending on the seriousness of your disease. The plan may change over time as your disease improves or worsens.

You may need a second opinion if you are not doing well and your physician is unable to provide satisfactory explanations and solutions. Occasionally, your urologist may recommend a second opinion if your problem is unusual or particularly complicated. Having a physician you can trust is mandatory when dealing with cancer. Don’t let anyone pressure you into a second opinion if you feel confident in your physician’s abilities. On the other hand, if you are uncomfortable with your progress or a treatment recommendation, if you are not satisfied with the explanations given to you, don’t hesitate to seek out a second opinion. Your urologist should not feel threatened by this request as he wants you to feel comfortable with the plan of action. Only by partnering with your physician can he be most effective.

WILL MY UROLOGIST BE UPSET WHEN I REQUEST A SECOND OPINION?

Many physicians may feel slighted when a patient requests a second opinion. Your urologist may feel somehow you don’t trust his explanations, skill, or judgment. On the other hand, when a new patient faces a difficult or unexpected diagnosis, the urologist may find the request not at all unusual. It is important you explain to your urologist why you feel a second opinion is warranted. Urologists are professionals and will graciously facilitate your request. The experienced urologist comes to realize that despite his best efforts, some patients will seek a second opinion. If a patient is particularly concerned or nervous about a proposed treatment regimen, your urologist may welcome your request. Your urologist should facilitate your second opinion by sending appropriate records and telling you whether or not it is necessary for you to bring X rays or pathology slides with you. Your primary care physician may need to be contacted for the referral if your insurance requires it.

WHY DOESN’T MY UROLOGIST WANT ME TO GO FOR A SECOND OPINION?

Often, the urologist may believe the second opinion is unnecessary and will delay treatment. He may be concerned you will not only have a second opinion, but transfer your future care to the urologist providing the second opinion. He may believe that you may get bad advice. It is possible he may feel threatened the next urologist will not agree with his work up or care of you to date.

WHERE DO I FIND A SPECIALIST FOR A SECOND OPINION?

Start by asking your primary care physician. You may be able to see another urologist in your community. Do not see another urologist in the same group as a conflict of interest may deter a different opinion. If you are considering a different course of action, such as radiation or chemotherapy, a referral to the appropriate specialist should be made.

Many times your urologist will be highly supportive and suggest a second opinion. He will offer his recommendations and facilitate your visit to the appropriate physician. If there is an issue regarding the care given at your local hospital, you may wish a referral to a “tertiary” or teaching hospital. In most areas, a referral for this reason is unnecessary, as excellent care is obtainable in the community hospital.

Our use of the term or terms Actos Side Effects is for descriptive purposes only. There is no relationship between the owners of this website and the maker of the product discussed in this post. Our use of the words Recall, Class Action Lawsuit and other similar words related to an event do not necessarily mean that this event has occurred. Refer to the website of the United States Food and Drug Administration for information on drug or medical device recalls. If a Class Action Lawsuit is formed in relation to the product discussed in this post we will provide that information at the time the Class Action is formed. A Class Action Lawsuit is not required to exist for you to file a lawsuit if you have been injured by the product discussed in this post.

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Actos Side Effects : WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE BLADDER?

A bladder stores urine and expels it at a convenient time. The bladder is a very useful organ, (tissues working together to accomplish a function), but an individual can live a normal life without one, if required, by surgical creation of a substitute.

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLADDER CANCER?

More than 90% of bladder cancers arise from the lining bladder cells called transitional cells. Bladder cancer is almost always transitional cell cancer. These cells are also present in the urethra (the body tube which drains the bladder), as well as the renal pelvis (inner lining of the kidneys), and the ureters (the body tube draining the kidneys).

Bladder cancer can vary from the non serious, low grade superficial type (approximately 70%), to the invasive, aggressive type that can spread and prove to be fatal (approximately 30%).

5% of bladder cancer is accounted for by squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer is usually secondary to long term inflammation or infection of the bladder. Even rarer is adenocarcinoma, which accounts for less than 2% of all bladder cancers.

HOW COMMON IS BLADDER CANCER?

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006,61,420 new cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed in the United States with approximately 73% of those occurring in men. In the same year, this cancer caused approximately 13,060 deaths with approximately two out of three of those being in men. The disease is more common in whites than blacks. The incidence of bladder cancer increases with age in both sexes. When bladder cancer occurs in young people, it tends to grow slower and not be as serious. In men, it is the fourth most common cancer. However, because of the rate of recurrences and long term survival, it is the second most prevalent cancer in middle aged and elderly men. In women, it is the eighth most common cancer. The average age at diagnosis is 65. Over the past decade, there has been both an increased incidence, but also an increased rate of survival for bladder cancer ^[1]

WHAT CAUSED MY CANCER?

A mutation is a disruption in the DNA of a cell, leading to a loss of regulated cell growth. Mutations can occur spontaneously as we age. It is truly amazing that all of us don’t develop cancer as we are composed of trillions of cells dividing regularly over decades. Fortunately, our cells have repair mechanisms which can often fix damaged cells before cancer arises. In addition, the immune system can destroy cancer cells before they have a chance to grow into tumors.

Mutations and cancer can also be triggered by environmental factors. Certain chemicals have been identified to be particularly effective at inducing mutations in our DNA and subsequent cancer. These chemicals are called carcinogens. Smoking is the most common culprit! Cigarette smoking has a strong link with bladder cancer. Studies have shown approximately 50% of bladder cancer is secondary to tobacco smoke. Smoking releases dozens of carcinogens into the lungs and then into the blood stream. Many of these carcinogens are excreted by the kidneys.

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IT IS TOO DIFFICULT TO QUIT SMOKING; IS THERE ANY SURE FIRE WAY TO QUIT?

Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, an extremely addictive chemical. Men overall find it easier to quit smoking than women. When facing the prospects of losing your bladder to cancer or possibly your life, most individuals will become convinced and many simply stop smoking “cold turkey.” Unfortunately, many choose not to quit until their cancer repeatedly recurs or becomes invasive, needlessly placing their health at risk. For those who need assistance in quitting, nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges are all available over the counter. These products allow the smoker to quit without experiencing the discomfort of withdrawal from nicotine. Many smokers also find hypnosis or support groups useful. In addition, prescription medication is available.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER KNOWN CAUSES?

Occupational exposure may account for up to 20% of bladder cancers. Those exposed to aniline dyes (used to color fabrics), aldehydes (used in chemical dyes and in the rubber and textile industries) and those using organic chemicals (used in a wide range of occupations) are all at increased risk. Individuals previously treated with radiation to the pelvis or having received cyclophosphamide (a type of chemotherapy) are at markedly increased risk for developing bladder cancer. If your well water is high in arsenic, your risk may also be increased. Studies have also correlated obesity and a high fat diet, especially with increased cholesterol, as a possible contributing factor.

CAN I HELP TO PREVENT BLADDER CANCER BY DRINKING MORE FLUIDS?

Surprisingly, the answer may be yes. In a recent study, the relationship of diet to cancer was analyzed in a group of47,000 health professionals.^[1] In the case of bladder cancer, those who drank the most fluid (greater than 10 cups/day) had half the risk as those who drank the least (less than 5 cups/day). The type of nonalcoholic beverage was less important than the total amount.

WILL MY CHILDREN BE AT HIGHER RISK OF DEVELOPING BLADDER CANCER?

Although there have been clusters of bladder cancer reported, most researchers believe these may be secondary to risk factors such as smoking and exposure to carcinogens. At this time, there is no convincing evidence bladder cancer risk is hereditary. If an environmental factor caused your cancer and your children are exposed as well, their risk of cancer may be increased.

WHAT IS CANCER?

The basic building block of the body is the cell. Cells are specialized to perform a particular function. Skin cells are distinctly different from liver cells which are different from bladder cells. An organ is composed of various cells working in unison to carry out a body function. Cells eventually get old and die. New cells are created by cell division. When cells are behaving normally, they only generate enough new cells to replace the old dying ones. Occasionally, cell growth becomes unchecked. As the cells continue to divide, a tumor (abnormal growth of cells) may form. Such tumors may be benign (no ability to spread beyond their organ of origin) or cancerous (a malignant tumor with the ability to spread beyond their organ of origin and cause harm and possibly death).

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HOW CAN I TELL IF MY BLADDER CANCER IS LIKELY TO SPREAD?

Larger tumors are more likely to spread than smaller tumors. Another critical concern is the grade of the tumor. Normal cells are specialized, differentiated to perform specific function, and have a typical structural arrangement with surrounding cells. As cancers worsen, the cells become less specialized, less differentiated, and lose their normal structural arrangement, resulting in a higher pathologic grade.

In the case of bladder cancer, pathologists classify them into 3 grades based on a number of criteria:

Grade 1: low grade, well differentiated Grade 2: intermediate grade, moderately differentiated Grade 3: high grade, poorly differentiated The higher grade tumors have a greater propensity to metastasize- spread throughout the body.

For bladder cancer, another key indicator for likelihood to spread is the depth of penetration into the bladder wall. The bladder wall is composed of an inner lining called the urothelium (made up of transitional cells) which rests on a membrane layer called the basement membrane, below which is the connective tissue layer (support tissues) called the lamina propria. Within the lamina propria lies a small amount of muscle called the muscularis mucosa. Deep to the lamina propria is the deep muscle of the bladder arranged in three layers. This layer is called the muscularis propria. Tumors located in the inside, superficial layers of the bladder wall are unlikely to spread. Tumors that grow into the deeper layers (down into the muscle of the bladder wall) are much more likely to spread. Furthermore, there is a definite link between the grade of the tumor and its likelihood of invasion. Low grade tumors are almost always noninvasive, while high grade tumors are usually invasive. In general, papillary tumors, which are delicate and frond like in appearance are usually low grade and superficial. This is to be contrasted to sessile tumors which appear solid, are often high grade and invasive. Depth of invasion is critical in establishing prognosis. The tumor which invades into the lamina propria is a far more serious tumor than the superficial tumor which demonstrates no invasion. It has a much higher propensity to progress to the muscle invasive tumor, a much more dangerous cancer, with a high risk for spreading beyond the bladder. For further information see Chapter 6.

Our use of the term or terms Actos Side Effects is for descriptive purposes only. There is no relationship between the owners of this website and the maker of the product discussed in this post. Our use of the words Recall, Class Action Lawsuit and other similar words related to an event do not necessarily mean that this event has occurred. Refer to the website of the United States Food and Drug Administration for information on drug or medical device recalls. If a Class Action Lawsuit is formed in relation to the product discussed in this post we will provide that information at the time the Class Action is formed. A Class Action Lawsuit is not required to exist for you to file a lawsuit if you have been injured by the product discussed in this post.

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Actos Side Effects : Sometimes, in an alternative procedure/ lasers (high-energy light beams) are used to remove superficial TCC tumors. While this is slightly more comfortable than resection for you as a patient, the laser often destroys the tumor tissue, leaving nothing for pathologists to examine. The lack of pathology may limit your medical team’s ability to predict recurrence and target your follow-up plan.

If you have been diagnosed with a low-risk tumor, resection may be the only treatment recommended by your medical team. Or your team may recommend a course of intravesical therapy, too. Intravesical is a medical term meaning “within the bladder/’ Intravesical therapy, therefore, means that treatment – in this case a solution containing anti-cancer drugs – is placed directly in the blad­der instead of being given to you as a pill to swallow or as an injection.

The treatment is given as a liquid poured through an ordinary uri­nary catheter, the same device that is usually used to drain urine from the bladder. In this case, the flow of fluid is reversed, with the med­ication being injected gently up through the catheter into the inside of the bladder. Think of it this way: Remember when you were a kid and filled balloons with water? If you imagine the bladder as that bal­loon, filled not with water but with liquid medication sloshing around inside, you’ll ‘have a good idea of how intravesical therapy works.

Intravesical therapy has been used for about 30 years as a preven­tive treatment to reduce the recurrence rate for superficial bladder cancer. It is believed that intravesical therapy works because it destroys cancer cells that may remain “floating” in the bladder after resection, thereby reducing the possibility of a recurrence. It also may be absorbed directly into any remaining tumor tissue, causing destruction of the tumor. There are two types of intravesical therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, with numerous treatment options within each therapy group.

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Your medical team will take a number of things into consideration when deciding which intravesical treatment option is best for you. Their goal is to balance the effectiveness of the treatment with possi­ble side effects and long-term risks based on the type and seriousness of your cancer. Aggressive treatment options with possibly serious side effects may well be the right choice if you’re dealing with a type of cancer that has a high recurrence rate and often comes back in a more life- threatening form. On the other hand, if your cancer is low risk and has a lesser chance of recurring, a more conservative approach might be taken.

Regardless of whether you’re advised to take chemotherapy or immunotherapy both are administered the same way The procedure can be performed either at the hospital about one to seven days after your resection or in your doctor’s office if a series of weekly treat­ments is recommended. The timing depends somewhat on how extensive the resection has been.

First your doctor will numb your urethra with a topical gel and insert a disposable catheter, which wall be used to fill the bladder with the solution. The catheter is removed after your bladder is full, and you’ll be asked to concentrate on not passing urine for a time, hold­ing the solution inside while you get up and move around. Walking, sitting, and standing while the solution is held in your bladder caus­es it to slosh around and completely coat inside the bladder walls. After an hour or so, you’ll void the solution just as you would pass urine. In most cases, you’ll be asked to minimize your fluid intake before the procedure so that your bladder won’t also be filling with urine that wall put additional pressure on your bladder.

The chemotherapy drugs that are used in this way include doxoru­bicin (brand name Adriamycin), epirubicin (Pharmorubidn), mitomycin C (Mutamydn), and occasionally thiotepa (Thioplex). Chemotherapy solutions have proved effective in reducing recurrence rates by about 30 percent. However, chemotherapy has little or no effect in prevent­ing superficial cancer from progressing to a more serious stage. What this means is that chemotherapy will often stop the superficial cancer

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Although BCG is highly effective, it also has some toxic side effects, and as such is used primarily as a treatment for patients with high-risk types of superficial bladder cancer and those who have had repeated recurrences or CIS. Side effects may include a burning sensation in the bladder as well as fatigue, chills, and fever. A prolonged high fever and general feel­ing of being ill may be a sign that the BCG bacteria have spread through the body. Because BCG is the bacterium that causes a type of tuberculosis, antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis are usually pre­scribed when an infection occurs shortly after BCG immunotherapy. Another type of immunotherapy is interferon.This is naturally pro­duced in your body’s cells and works much as BCG does in stimulat­ing your body to attack cancer cells in the bladder. Temporary side effects, which usually disappear once interferon therapy is stopped, include muscle and bone aches, fatigue, vomiting, and headaches.

In almost all cases, intravesical therapy (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) is most effective when the first dose is given 6 to 24 hours after resection. Sometimes a single dose is given as a prophy­lactic (preventative) measure and is not repeated. More commonly, you’ll have one dose immediately after resection and then five more treatments on a weekly basis in your doctor’s office. In some cases, if a large tumor has been resected, leaving a larger area of ulcerated bladder surface, intravesical chemotherapy will be delayed for a few days to prevent the drug’s being absorbed through the damaged sur­face lining of the bladder. Your doctor may recommend a follow-up cystoscopy after the intravesical treatments are completed.

Keep in mind that there are several types of superficial bladder cancer, some of which have a high risk of recurrence or progression to a more serious stage. Treatment options, including resection and intravesical therapy, are different for each person and depend upon each person’s circumstances, For example, you may start talking to someone in your urologist’s waiting room who has had great results and few side effects from a single dose of mitomycin C (MCC) chemotherapy. Even more impres­sive, he hasn’t had a recurrence since his diagnosis three years ago. You, on the other hand, are on your fourth BCG treatment, and each one leaves you feeling as if you have severe bladder irritation for several days afterwards. “No side effects and no recurrences” sounds like a better deal than what you’re experiencing. So why wasn’t MCC prescribed for you?

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Actos Side Effects: In general, a competent physician will recommend a second opinion if there is uncertainty regarding your care. This uncertainty could involve the pathology report or debate regarding the most appropriate treatment options. Certainly if the pathology report is in question, a second opinion is mandatory! Your urologist should be able to spell out his treatment plans for you, what to expect and what alternatives may be required, depending on the seriousness of your disease. The plan may change over time as your disease improves or worsens.

You may need a second opinion if you are not doing well and your physician is unable to provide satisfactory explanations and solutions. Occasionally, your urologist may recommend a second opinion if your problem is unusual or particularly complicated. Having a physician you can trust is mandatory when dealing with cancer. Don’t let anyone pressure you into a second opinion if you feel confident in your physician’s abilities. On the other hand, if you are uncomfortable with your progress or a treatment recommendation, if you are not satisfied with the explanations given to you, don’t hesitate to seek out a second opinion. Your urologist should not feel threatened by this request as he wants you to feel comfortable with the plan of action. Only by partnering with your physician can he be most effective.

Many physicians may feel slighted when a patient requests a second opinion. Your urologist may feel somehow you don’t trust his explanations, skill, or judgment. On the other hand, when a new patient faces a difficult or unexpected diagnosis, the urologist may find the request not at all unusual. It is important you explain to your urologist why you feel a second opinion is warranted. Urologists are professionals and will graciously facilitate your request. The experienced urologist comes to realize that despite his best efforts, some patients will seek a second opinion. If a patient is particularly concerned or nervous about a proposed treatment regimen, your urologist may welcome your request. Your urologist should facilitate your second opinion by sending appropriate records and telling you whether or not it is necessary for you to bring X rays or pathology slides with you. Your primary care physician may need to be contacted for the referral if your insurance requires it.

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More than 90% of bladder cancers arise from the lining bladder cells called transitional cells. Bladder cancer is almost always transitional cell cancer. These cells are also present in the urethra (the body tube which drains the bladder), as well as the renal pelvis (inner lining of the kidneys), and the ureters (the body tube draining the kidneys). Bladder cancer can vary from the non serious, low grade superficial type (approximately 70%), to the invasive, aggressive type that can spread and prove to be fatal (approximately 30%). 5% of bladder cancer is accounted for by squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer is usually secondary to long term inflammation or infection of the bladder. Even rarer is adenocarcinoma, which accounts for less than 2% of all bladder cancers.

A mutation is a disruption in the DNA of a cell, leading to a loss of regulated cell growth. Mutations can occur spontaneously as we age. It is truly amazing that all of us don’t develop cancer as we are composed of trillions of cells dividing regularly over decades. Fortunately, our cells have repair mechanisms which can often fix damaged cells before cancer arises. In addition, the immune system can destroy cancer cells before they have a chance to grow into tumors.

Mutations and cancer can also be triggered by environmental factors. Certain chemicals have been identified to be particularly effective at inducing mutations in our DNA and subsequent cancer. These chemicals are called carcinogens. Smoking is the most common culprit! Cigarette smoking has a strong link with bladder cancer. Studies have shown approximately 50% of bladder cancer is secondary to tobacco smoke. Smoking releases dozens of carcinogens into the lungs and then into the blood stream. Many of these carcinogens are excreted by the kidneys. After years of being exposed to this toxic soup, a smoker’s bladder has a much greater chance of developing bladder cancer, two to three times, and in heavy smokers up to five times the rate compared to those people who have never smoked. The risk clearly correlates with the number of years the individual has smoked and the number of cigarettes smoked per year. Fortunately, after you stop smoking, your risk gradually decreases. Once you develop bladder cancer, it is mandatory to stop smoking. It is now known failure to stop smoking leads to a much worse outcome compared to those with bladder cancer that stop smoking.

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Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, an extremely addictive chemical. Men overall find it easier to quit smoking than women. When facing the prospects of losing your bladder to cancer or possibly your life, most individuals will become convinced and many simply stop smoking “cold turkey.” Unfortunately, many choose not to quit until their cancer repeatedly recurs or becomes invasive, needlessly placing their health at risk. For those who need assistance in quitting, nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges are all available over the counter. These products allow the smoker to quit without experiencing the discomfort of withdrawal from nicotine. Many smokers also find hypnosis or support groups useful. In addition, prescription medication is available.

The basic building block of the body is the cell. Cells are specialized to perform a particular function. Skin cells are distinctly different from liver cells which are different from bladder cells. An organ is composed of various cells working in unison to carry out a body function. Cells eventually get old and die. New cells are created by cell division. When cells are behaving normally, they only generate enough new cells to replace the old dying ones. Occasionally, cell growth becomes unchecked. As the cells continue to divide, a tumor (abnormal growth of cells) may form. Such tumors may be benign (no ability to spread beyond their organ of origin) or cancerous (a malignant tumor with the ability to spread beyond their organ of origin and cause harm and possibly death).

Our use of the term or terms Actos Side Effects is for descriptive purposes only. There is no relationship between the owners of this website and the maker of the product discussed in this post. Our use of the words Recall, Class Action Lawsuit and other similar words related to an event do not necessarily mean that this event has occurred. Refer to the website of the United States Food and Drug Administration for information on drug or medical device recalls. If a Class Action Lawsuit is formed in relation to the product discussed in this post we will provide that information at the time the Class Action is formed. A Class Action Lawsuit is not required to exist for you to file a lawsuit if you have been injured by the product discussed in this post.

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Actos Side Effects:The elderly, frail individuals with multiple coexisting chronic illnesses, individuals that are weakened through mahiutrition or who have compromised immunity all would face substantially increased risk of complications from standard chemotherapy regimens for bladder cancer. Unfortunately, cisplatin is toxic to kidneys, and many individuals with bladder cancer have compromised kidney function which effectively rules out the use of platinum based chemotherapy. Other treatment regimens exist and are being worked on for these individuals, but none show the efficacy of the standard therapy which includes cisplatin.

Most individuals treated with standard chemotherapy regimens with metastatic bladder cancer will have recurrence and progression of their disease. Multiple treatment regimens have been utilized with overall response rates of 10-40%. To date, regimens have generally used taxanes, both docetaxel and paclitaxel. Ifosfamide has been shown to have significant single agent activity as well, but is extremely toxic. Combination therapy with taxanes and ifosfamide are presently being tested.

This can only be answered based on your individual history of cancer care, your health status, and the present state of your cancer. Experimental therapy is just that; it is still in the investigational stage and has not yet been determined whether or not it is completely safe and or effective. A patient may or may not qualify to be in a cancer trial depending on age and other risk factors, stage of cancer, or prior therapy.

During phase 1 of a cancer trial, the safety of the chemotherapy dose is being determined. During the early part of the trial, a lower dose may be used. The dose is gradually increased to determine the potential for side effects. Individuals entering the trial later may receive higher doses, more potentially serious side effects, and not necessarily more effective therapy. During phase 2, it is determined how often a particular cancer will respond to the chemotherapy at a fixed dose regimen. Lastly, during phase 3, the new drug which appears to be effective is compared to the current accepted chemotherapy for a particular cancer.

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This brief review undermines the uncertainty of receiving chemotherapy during an experimental protocol. If the individual needs chemotherapy, it is generally safer and wiser to receive the standard regimen already established as safe and possibly effective. If however, prior standard chemotherapy has proven to be ineffective, or if the patient cannot tolerate standard therapy and the patient’s health allows for additional chemo, enrollment in a chemotherapy trial may be appropriate if the individual qualifies. At times, there can be breakthroughs and new agents can be more effective in eradicating cancer than the established drugs.

Initial side effects experienced by almost all individuals will include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss, hair loss, and a drop in blood counts. Many of the side effects can be lessened by taking appropriate medication. Long term side effects include low blood count, nerve and kidney damage. Side effects can be severe and potentially life threatening. Death as the result of sepsis from MVAC treatment occurs in approximately 3% of patients. Even if side effects are not severe, chemotherapy may result in the individual rapidly becoming weak and tired, reducing markedly his quality of life. The side effects for the most part are not long lasting with a return to normalcy after chemotherapy has been completed. If you are not tolerating the chemotherapy regimen well, your oncologist can modify the dose, frequency of dosing, or alter the regimen entirely.

When facing the prospects of chemotherapy, it is essential to have an oncologist who can inform you fully of the potential probable effectiveness of the chemotherapy being offered. Just as importantly, the toxicities of the chemotherapy must be fully reviewed. Of course, there are no absolutes when reviewing the potential for success and failure. Each individual’s cancer is unique. Some respond better than others to chemotherapy. General statistics regarding disease regression and remission are available. Absolute numbers for the individual are not.

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After several courses of chemotherapy, an assessment of your clinical progress will be made. This will generally require a study such as a CAT scan, to check the response of the cancer to the chemotherapy. If progress is being made and the individual is tolerating the chemotherapy, a decision is then made to continue the chemotherapy to completion. If on the other hand, the cancer is not responding or the individual is not tolerating the therapy, a decision can be made to stop further chemotherapy, alter the present regimen, or try a different course of chemotherapy.

As new drugs are introduced and new combinations of drugs are tested, statistics regarding effectiveness are constantly changing. Side effects too can vary, depending on the individual. However, most patients will experience the side effects to various degrees, and these need to be fully understood prior to proceeding. In the end, it is the individual’s decision as to whether to begin or end chemotherapy. For many, trying chemo and seeing the effect on the cancer is a sound decision. If the cancer does not respond or if the patient finds the side effects unacceptable, chemotherapy can be stopped. It is extremely important for you to have an oncologist who will work with you closely. Your oncologist should understand your feelings regarding cancer treatment fully.

Our use of the term or terms Actos Side Effects is for descriptive purposes only. There is no relationship between the owners of this website and the maker of the product discussed in this post. Our use of the words Recall, Class Action Lawsuit and other similar words related to an event do not necessarily mean that this event has occurred. Refer to the website of the United States Food and Drug Administration for information on drug or medical device recalls. If a Class Action Lawsuit is formed in relation to the product discussed in this post we will provide that information at the time the Class Action is formed. A Class Action Lawsuit is not required to exist for you to file a lawsuit if you have been injured by the product discussed in this post.

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Actos Side Effects : Roughly 5-10 percent of patients experience a fever after a transurethral procedure. This is almost always due to a urinary tract infection. The most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection in this setting are fever, chills, side pain, and frequent or painftil urination. If you experience a fever postoperatively, you should contact your physician immediately. The vast majority of infections can be treated as an outpatient with oral antibiotics and resolve in several days. Most urologists give you antibiotics during your procedure and for a few days thereafter to prevent infection, but unfortunately a small percentage of patients will still experience an infection despite taking antibiotics. It is important to note that most patients have lower urinary tract symptoms after surgery. This is directly related to the manipulation from the cystoscope and any biopsies or resection that were performed.

These procedures cause bladder and urethral inflammation, which may cause you to experience painful urination, urinary frequency, and urgency for several days after the procedure. These symp­toms are very similar to that of a urinary tract infection and can be confusing, but they do not cause fever like a urinary tract infection. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are a result of an infection or the procedure, the safest bet is to consult your urologist as soon as possible.

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Urinary retention (inability to pass the urine) is another uncommon and generally self-limiting complication one can experience after surgery. In men, this is often caused by swelling of the prostate due to manipulation from the cystoscope. Excessive bleeding may also result in clot formation that can obstruct the flow of urine. Patients who experience this side effect urinate in small volumes or not at all, even though their bladder is uncomfortably full. The treatment for this is simple; a catheter is placed in your bladder for a few days to allow any edema (swelling) to resolve. The catheter can then be removed several days later and most patients void without difficulty at that point.

At the time ofTURBT, perforation of the bladder can occur. This happens if the full thickness of the bladder wall is resected at the time of TURBT. This is often inadvertent, but it can also be done intentionally by your surgeon in the case of a tumor that grows deep into the wall of the muscle. Most perforations are small and will close on their own, without additional intervention. You may need to have a Foley catheter for several days to permit healing and minimize leakage of urine from the perforation. In rare circumstances a bladder perforation may be so large or in such a location that it is dangerous to allow it to heal on its own. Such cases require open surgery to suture the bladder closed. This is performed through a lower midline incision. A Foley catheter again would be left in the bladder for several days to permit healing.

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Radical cystectomy and associated urinary diversion is a complex procedure. Even in the best of hands, the potential for side effects and complications is significant. The most common side effects and complications related to this procedure are discussed below. Although this will give you a good understanding of what to expect after surgery, it is very important that you discuss the risks of cystectomy with your urologist before surgery to be as fully informed and prepared as possible.

As with any major surgery, there is potential for bleeding during your surgery. Twenty-five to 50 percent of patients need a blood transfusion either during surgery or in the immediate postoperative period. Your surgeon may ask you to donate your own blood before surgery, so that it can be given back to you at the time of your operation. This is to minimize the risk of infection with transfusion-related bloodbome illnesses such as HIV and hepatitis. Because this risk is extremely low, many surgeons do not require you to donate your own blood. Your blood count will be monitored for the first several days after surgery because in rare circumstances bleeding can occur after surgery. Depending on your blood count at the time of discharge, your physician may send you home on iron supplementation.

Our use of the term or terms Actos Side Effects is for descriptive purposes only. There is no relationship between the owners of this website and the maker of the product discussed in this post. Our use of the words Recall, Class Action Lawsuit and other similar words related to an event do not necessarily mean that this event has occurred. Refer to the website of the United States Food and Drug Administration for information on drug or medical device recalls. If a Class Action Lawsuit is formed in relation to the product discussed in this post we will provide that information at the time the Class Action is formed. A Class Action Lawsuit is not required to exist for you to file a lawsuit if you have been injured by the product discussed in this post.

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Actos Bladder Cancer 12/20/2011: The elderly, frail individuals with multiple coexisting chronic illnesses, individuals that are weakened through mahiutrition or who have compromised immunity all would face substantially increased risk of complications from standard chemotherapy regimens for bladder cancer. Unfortunately, cisplatin is toxic to kidneys, and many individuals with bladder cancer have compromised kidney function which effectively rules out the use of platinum based chemotherapy. Other treatment regimens exist and are being worked on for these individuals, but none show the efficacy of the standard therapy which includes cisplatin.

Most individuals treated with standard chemotherapy regimens with metastatic bladder cancer will have recurrence and progression of their disease. Multiple treatment regimens have been utilized with overall response rates of 10-40%.^[1] To date, regimens have generally used taxanes, both docetaxel and paclitaxel. Ifosfamide has been shown to have significant single agent activity as well, but is extremely toxic. Combination therapy with taxanes and ifosfamide are presently being tested.

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Our use of the Terms Actos Lawsuit ,Actos Side Effects is not intended to imply or insinuate that there is any relationship or connection between Best Legal Source and the maker of Actos. “Actos” is a trademark of its manufacturer, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Best Legal Source is not the maker of Actos nor do we have any connection with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

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