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.
Studies show that the prevalence of this cancer is at 400,000 in the United States. The incidence is about 16,000 every year. These statistics mean that the disease is huge public problem that should be taken seriously. Mortality is mainly cause by the high grade types that are also very invasive. Early identification and treatment helps reduce mortality significantly.
This cancer is also a common problem in pet dogs. The type found in dogs is mainly the high grade type. Dogs are usually noted to have urinary obstruction symptoms as the first sign at which time the disease is usually advanced. The commonest histological type is known as transitional cell carcinoma. Fortunately, there are treatment modalities that can be used when the disease is identified early. Studies conducted in dogs have been the main source of data on the disease.
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.
Persons who work in some industries such as those that deal with dyes and rubber are at a particularly increased risk. This occupational risk has been known since as far back as the nineteenth century but it took close to 50 years to be proven scientifically. Amines found in the dyes have been shown to be highly carcinogenic. The common ones include benzidine and naphthalene.
Some drugs and medical procedures may also increase the risk especially if used repeatedly. Cyclophosphamide and phenacetin are well known examples. Cyclophosphamide is a useful antitumor agent but may affect the urinary system as an adverse effect. The main medical procedure that may predispose is pelvic irradiation.
Bladder cancer research should be looked at as a continuous process if the management of patients is to be improved. All the patients should ideally have their details recorded in a data base. All the important aspects of disease must be clearly shown. If on treatment, they should be followed up until they recover or until they succumb. This is the only sure of ensuring that the effects of interventions are studied. Future decisions can be made based on these results.
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.
Studies show that the prevalence of this cancer is at 400,000 in the United States. The incidence is about 16,000 every year. These statistics mean that the disease is huge public problem that should be taken seriously. Mortality is mainly cause by the high grade types that are also very invasive. Early identification and treatment helps reduce mortality significantly.
This cancer is also a common problem in pet dogs. The type found in dogs is mainly the high grade type. Dogs are usually noted to have urinary obstruction symptoms as the first sign at which time the disease is usually advanced. The commonest histological type is known as transitional cell carcinoma. Fortunately, there are treatment modalities that can be used when the disease is identified early. Studies conducted in dogs have been the main source of data on the disease.
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.
Persons who work in some industries such as those that deal with dyes and rubber are at a particularly increased risk. This occupational risk has been known since as far back as the nineteenth century but it took close to 50 years to be proven scientifically. Amines found in the dyes have been shown to be highly carcinogenic. The common ones include benzidine and naphthalene.
Some drugs and medical procedures may also increase the risk especially if used repeatedly. Cyclophosphamide and phenacetin are well known examples. Cyclophosphamide is a useful antitumor agent but may affect the urinary system as an adverse effect. The main medical procedure that may predispose is pelvic irradiation.
Bladder cancer research should be looked at as a continuous process if the management of patients is to be improved. All the patients should ideally have their details recorded in a data base. All the important aspects of disease must be clearly shown. If on treatment, they should be followed up until they recover or until they succumb. This is the only sure of ensuring that the effects of interventions are studied. Future decisions can be made based on these results.
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