Surgery for Urinary Tract Tumors
Urinary tract cancers are among the most common cancers in men compared to women, affecting adults at any age, especially the elderly. Medical studies and statistics indicate that about 70,000 people in the United States are affected by this type of cancer each year, whether detected early or advanced. In this article, more medical details are provided regarding what is meant by urinary tract cancer, its types, symptoms, and whether surgery for urinary tract tumors is the ideal medical treatment for all types.
Types of Urinary Tract Tumors
Types of urinary tract inflammation vary, and based on this difference, appropriate treatment is determined for the patient. These types include:
- Urothelial carcinoma: This type appears in the lining cells inside the bladder, which expand when the bladder is full and contract when it is empty. This tumor may spread to the same type of cells lining other parts, such as the urethra and inside the uterus.
- Glandular carcinoma: It occurs in cells that secrete mucus from the glands in the bladder.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: It originates in squamous cells located in the middle and outer layers of the skin, and may occur due to repeated parasitic infection, such as schistosomiasis, or from prolonged use of a urinary catheter, or exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Cancer
Symptoms of urinary tract cancer include:
- Blood in the urine: It may not be visible to the naked eye but detected through microscopic examination of the urine.
- Pain during urination.
- Pain in the back and pelvis areas.
- Frequent urination and sudden urge to urinate.
Note that these symptoms may occur due to other diseases besides urinary tract tumors. Advanced symptoms of urinary tract tumors include:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss.
- Inability to urinate.
- Feeling of fatigue.
- Swelling in the feet.
- Pain in the bones.
Surgery for Urinary Tract Tumors - Partial or Total Bladder Removal
Treatment for urinary tract tumors may involve bladder removal, either partially or completely. Below are details for each:
Partial bladder removal:
This involves removing the part containing cancer cells in the bladder, if the cancer cells are confined to this part only. This type of surgery does not impair bladder function.
Total bladder removal:
In this procedure, the entire bladder is removed. Bladder removal for urinary tract cancer in men requires removal of the bladder with the prostate and seminal vesicles, which may result in erectile dysfunction. For women, removal of urinary tract cancer cells requires removal of the bladder with the uterus and ovaries, and part of the vagina, leading to cessation of menstruation and infertility.
Prior to undergoing bladder removal surgery, patients prepare by following these steps:
- Discussing with the doctor about medications taken regularly as the doctor may recommend abstaining from or changing them for a certain period before surgery to avoid complications and aid in speedy recovery.
- Abstaining from smoking before the surgery for a sufficient time to avoid unwanted complications after the operation.
- Following the preparation instructions for the operation meticulously, and ensuring follow-up with the surgeon or medical team, inquiring about any aspect related to the surgery.
