Bladder Cancer Types

Question: Gall Bladder Cancer Ribbon Color? My question is what color ribbon is for gall bladder cancer. I just found out on tuesday that my mom who is 50 has this type of cancer on top of Hep. C. I was told this is called the silent killer and worst cancer and rarest cancer of all. They said she has 3-6 months without chemo and maybe 1 year with chemo. I am trying to find things for our family like magnet, braclets and things to help show her how much we want to show her our support. Thanks!!!

Answer: i would say yellow

Question: If a person has cancer of the Urethra or uteres near the bladder why would some white cells? be present in the cytoscopy exam? and why would lots of white cells known as Epithelial cells be high in that person? It shows up all the time now.And just to let you guys know it is not infection, maybe a few yeasts seen but that is it. and there was not red cells detected in the urine the other day. so I just want to know why is cancer cells white inside you with this type of cancer? There is no legion like a bump or lump inside just cancer cells which are white and spreading. why is this?.

Answer: Epithelial cells are skin cells. White blood cells are the cells that go in to fight infection. I am so sorry to hear about your cancer. Keep your appetite up. If you are to have chemotherapy, try to gain some weight before. People loose a large amount of weight during chemotherapy, and you will need the extra energy to help you fight. Best wishes to you.

Question: What is the survival rate for small cell bladder cancer in men? Because small cell bladder cancer is not as common as other types, I can find very little about it online. My 74 year old husband was just diagnosed with Stage IV bladder cancer extending into the lymph nodes and spots on his ribs. Radical chemo started today. The doc refused to give me a time frame - just told me we needed to start chemo immediately, that the time window was very small, and that we would only get one chance with chemo. My brother died 7 years ago from small cell lung cancer...it went very fast - 7 months. Can someone give me some honest answers what kind of time and what to expect in relation to bladder cancer? He has also had prostate cancer 14 years ago but they say this is not connected. I am 54 years old and can care for him although I work full-time. Please, no religious answers - He and I both know there are no miracles.

Answer: Small cell bladder cancer is VERY rare. However, the histology in this case is not as significant as it is in lung cancers. I know it may sound kind of strange, but every kind of cancer is a completely different disease. The problem here is the stage. I suspect the doctor is not willing to give you an estimated timeframe as much of it depends on how he responds to chemo so at this point it is too difficult to guess. And of course if the doctor can’t guess I am in no position to. However, let me explain to you what I do know and perhaps that will at least give you some kind of idea. Chemo produces a complete response in about 45% of the cases. The median time for progression is 7-8 months. The 5 year survival rate is about 6%. Hope this helps some. Best wishes.

Question: Recurrent bladder cancer? My Dad has just found out his bladder tumours have come back. He was first diagnosed September 2006 following an episode of haematuria. He had a cystoscopy to remove the tumours which were Transitional Cell Carcinomas. It was discovered in December 2006 they had come back. They were again removed. Now last week it was discovered they have again reoccurred. His urologist said it is nothing too much to worry about and more of a nuisance. He will again have them removed in the next few weeks. My question is, how often do these continue to reoccur? I hear the prognosis is reasonably good if caught early, but how long will he keep having to have this surgery? NB, the next time he has the surgery they are going to put a chemotherapy type solution in his bladder to try and stop it reoccuring. Does anyone know about this? Thanks in advance. Everyones stories so far are very positive. Thanks for sharing them! Best wishes to you and your families!

Answer: The "chemotherapy-type" solution is probably "killed-TB", they infuse it into the bladder and it makes the white cells so angry they "eat" any remaining cancer cells. The doc would not be suggesting this unless Dad's cancer was limited to the inside wall of the bladder, and unless the trans urethral resection surgery had already been successful in removing all visible signs of the cancer. This is VERY good news. Your dad will probably need to get "looked at" (which sucks) every three months for two years, and then every six months for two years, but if they got it, he'll be fine... It sounds odd, but if you are going to get cancer (and one in four of us do), then bladder cancer is the one you want; it's very, very manageable.. (That doesn't make the examinations suck any less, but at least Dad should know it isn't going to kill him!) Best wishes!.

Question: Hey. My older sister has cancer and i have some questions.....? My sister has cancer and i want to know a few things- do you think she will live if here is a large mass/tumor in the pelvic area and also metastasis in her lungs and possibly in the bone marrow? what is metastasis? she has bladder cancer. is that a particularly bad type of cancer? and what will it be like when she is on chemo? how will that affect her? thank you so much! and please be honest- i can handle the truth...

Answer: I'm sorry about this. Your sister's case is a difficult one, but not hopeless. She will be quite sick for a while, more than likely. Chemo is not easy. There are many medications and methods she can use to deal with the side effects however, and if she is fairly healthy to start with she will likely do well with the chemo. Make sure she has a good team of doctors, nutritionists, social workers and whatever else she may need during this process. The cancer itself is tricky. It has spread, and so is harder to treat. I do personally know a few people who are long-term survivors of this kind of cancer. It is possible. The best thing you can do to help her is just be there for her. Be natural and honest and respond to her needs. She will do much better if she has the support of her friends and family. I wish you all the best.

Question: I need some realistic answers on cancer? Somebody I know has had cancer twice already, and now he's been diagnosed with it agian. In his first round, they removed his bladder, and replaced it with something that was kind of bag like. And in the second, they were unable to identify the type of cancer he had. Now he's doing chemo and radiation. And I just want to know, if he will make it. Give me some statistics. We think that his cancer has something to do with bone marrow. But he's just been dealing with it for about 4 years now, and I want to know if he is going to live. Thanks guys.

Answer: Your question is impossible to answer because every case of cancer is different . . survival depends on many different factors all coming together . . survival depends on the type of cancer, stage, grade of tumor, location of disease, response to treatment, the patients age, overall health, and the skills of the doctor or cancer center he is going to. From your description it sound like he had a relapse of the bladder cancer and the disease has metastasized. No one knows, even his doctor don't know if he will live or not. Statistics are a generalization based on what has happened to other patients in a similar situation . . but statistics cannot define an individuals life. That is the reality of cancer . .the unknown . . the unpredictable . . there is always hope.

Question: This is a cancer related question here. Is it normal for somebody who has cancer of the Urethra, Ureters near? the bladder seen through a cytoscopy of abnormal white cells forming (no infection) to have an ourdour that is offensive? and why? and with this type of cancer is it normal to get blood in the urine seen and unseen that is of and on like somedays it will be positive of blood and some days negative of blood in the urine? Please help me out here people, this is regarding myself. I have no UITs or any infection but malignant cells forming, and it comes out in the urine in tests. Genuine answers please.

Answer: It's not a clear explanation of your symptoms, but blood in the urine, seen (macroscopic) and unseen (microscopic) haematuria that has been investigated by cystoscopy and has shown pre cancerous cells? It is quite common for people to have flat CIS (carcinoma in situ) or areas of dysplasia on biopsy. These are either lasered or removed via TURT. Even low grade TCC's (Tansitional Cell Carcinoma's) graded 1,2 or 3, with different T scores. If it is white cells, it could possibly be leukoplakia, but again this is easily treated. If it is in the ureter (tube that links kidney to bladder) then you will probably have an IVU and an USS of the kidneys to check for any other cause of the haematuria. This is all quite curative if it's early, so don't panic too much. Have a full conversation with your urologist at your next appointment, and they will be able to give you specific answers based on your clinical history and findings at cystoscopy.

Question: Cancer advice please??? I'm worried!? My sister-n-law (best friend in the world) is 6 1/2 months pregnant and was having vaginal bleeding for about a month and-a-half. The docs kept trivializing the prob till a few days ago when she demanded to see a urologist at her work (she's an RN). Well, he found two large masses in her bladder and said she has bladder cancer and her hormones are causing it to grow rapidly. Now she is getting emergency surgery in the next few days and even though she and the baby are healthy other than her cancer, he says the prognosis for the baby isn't good. I've done a lot of research on it and according to the research, if the tumor is visible to the naked eye, then it is t3b invasive bladder cancer and the prognosis usually isn't good (because the cancer is starting to spread). My question is that, since she's only 28 and it's very rare for a young person to get this type of cancer, what are her and the baby's realistic chances of over coming this? I keep reading mixed stats on the 5 yr survival rate, like it is usuall 38-67%. I even read somewhere it can be as low as 6%, but bladder cancer is usually not that dangerous as long as it is not invasive. I'm worried. Does anyone know the success rate of young ppl with bladder cancer?

Answer: the survival rate that you have is really accurate. I am so sorry for your sister-in-law. All you can do is see how the baby does after she/he is born. I have seen miracles where the baby survives only weighing a couple of pounds so all I can say is just be there for her and pray(that is if you are religious) caz she will need a lot of support after this. I hope that they caught it in time for your sister-in-law sake

Question: My mom has been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer, how long can she survive? She has had breast cancer twice in the past 4 years. She carries a fast growing type of cancer. The doctors have said that she won't survive this because she's already had the strongest type of chemo and that won't even help, but they won't give us any idea how long she may survive. She also had gall stones before the cancer that weren't operated on, so the gall bladder has now collapsed around the stones and is no longer working. Please help!

Answer: If they won't give you an answer then they probably have no idea. My grand mother lived for a year and half after being told she wouldn't live more than six months. So anything possible. Just be thankful for the time you have with her now and the time you've had in the past. Help her live life!

Question: How to make my father accept cancer treatment? My father (62) had already one tumor removed from his bladder and another one is still on his kidney. Suddenly, he started to talk about not accepting any other surgery or any other type of cancer treatment. Obviously, he thinks there is a chance it just disappears...

Answer: You have to do a little research before trying to convince you dad to get treatment. For example, it is quite likely that your dad has talked to the doctors and has more information than you at this point. Cancer that has spread has no chance of cure. Chemotherapy can make a person very sick. If he lives alone, there would not be anyone to take care of him if he gets chemo and feels like throwing up all the time. So talk to him to get more information before trying to change his mind.

Question: Anyone else know how to deal with radiation burns from cancer treatments? managed to survive three types of third stage cancer, even outlived my doctor, but now dealing with radiation burns and adhesions..incrediable painful..and causing other issues now. Radiation back when I had my surguries they found out later continue to "microwave" the area the beam was aimed at, forever..feels like I could bake potatoes in my abdomen at this point. Few doctors work with natural healing, would prefer herbal/microbiotic type help, not more pills. the cancer was mainly uterine, ovarian and cervival but spread to the bladder, urethreas...now years later..the words the doctors told me are possibly happening..they had said eventually the adhesions would hurt so bad I would return to the hospital to have them cut...but its the cutting that causes adhesions! That doesnt make sense! And any suggestions for internal radiation burns? I HATE drinking herbal concoctions, but will gladly encapsulate..and...yes if I have to, would drink about anything to stop this pain! Help! I read the queston about why do I keep going back to the doctors, ect...welp: I dont. That was what I was told years ago would eventually bring me BACK into their world of "healing". I have taken charge of my health, or would not have made it 23 years..so, to that person:sorry, but you are off base. as to the rest, thank you..I do indeed follow a microbiotic diet for the most part..yes, I do slip and have foods at times that my body lets me know within minutes was a bad, bad mistake. no white sugar, lots of water, vitamins, ect. and read the labels of the foods I do chose and am an herbalist because of what happened to me, in fact I can proudly say I have helped many other cancer victims, become survivors. My problem is that the adhesions, and radiation burns from 1983 are manifesting despite my best efforts.was thinking of using aloe internally. I also now do the Relay for Life events, which I would not do at first,now I find being with other survivors gives HOPE. thanks all.

Answer: Ughhghg..I know that. I am fair skinned and always burned with mine. I had to skip a couple, well a couple days off, then back to, and they were made up. I had it burns so bad my 2nd time, on my neck, people alwasy thougth I was out in the sun too long ;) LOL I found that biaffene(sp?) worked really well. Ask the rad techs about it. Good luck to you!

Question: Pink Ribbon- Breast Cancer Awareness question.? First, I'm not saying that breast cancer doesn't warrant many more years of research, but does anyone think that breast cancer kind of hogs the spotlight? There are other diseases and cancers that get virtually no attention. No attention means no funding for research, and that means there is a far less chance for people who have other types of cancer (like pancreatic, kidney, liver) to ever hope for a cure. You just don't see a Walk for Kidney, Lung, Liver, Pancreatic, Uterine, Bladder or Skin cancer. It's a little perturbing to know that these diseases, which can be as bad as or more deadly than (pancreatic) breast cancer, but receive little to no attention. Additionally, there are many diseases that people don't even know about, they don't get any attention, which means they don't have anyone donating to that cause, and that means that researchers will never have the resources to help find cures or even treatments for certain diseases (Muscular dystrophy, Auto-Immune diseases, Heart disease, Respiratory disease ect) Do you think things like breast cancer awareness month, all these "pink" accessories, and all their corporate sponsors take away money and spotlight away from other cancers and diseases?

Answer: No, it doesn't take away from other cancers and diseases. The Susan G. Komen Foundation just hit the nail on the head on how to get fundraising out there and to reach a wide audience. It's about organization, reaching out, and fundraising. Breast cancer awareness was never such an overwhelming cause until one foundation stepped up, determined to get the attention that breast cancer needs. I do agree with you though that other cancers don't get the same attention. There are LOTS that don't. I can understand your frustration. I work very close with a foundation that works for getting out awareness of childhood cancer. We were very disappointed by the lack of golden ribbons during September (childhood cancer awareness month). We fought hard to get the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008 bill put in place. We hope to branch out further and make next September a better month for getting the stories out there. My suggestion to you is, if you feel strongly about supporting one of these causes, join forces with a foundation. Throw fundraisers to raise money. Organize a walk in your city. Have a bake sale. Put together a neighborhood garage sale. Educate others on how to prevent the disease...or about the devastating effects, cure rates, treatment, etc. It only takes one person.... Good luck.

Question: Neo Bladder.. a man friend has a month or so to decide?? He is 63 very strong and very athletic type and has to decide on two procedures. The neo bladder or a bag on the outside. Does anyone know of men going thru this and what is the outcome? Are there any other procedures for bladder cancer?

Answer: The choice of an appropriate treatment is based on the stage of the tumor, the severity of the symptoms, and the presence of other medical conditions. Generally, stage 0 and I tumors are treated by removing the tumor without removing the rest of the bladder. They sometimes may also be treated by administering chemotherapy or immunotherapy (see below) directly into the bladder. Because the risk of the cancer returning is so high, people with bladder cancer require constant follow-up for the rest of their lives. The treatment for patients with stage II and stage III disease is changing. While the accepted treatment has been removing the entire bladder (in a surgery called radical cystectomy), there is growing interest in keeping as much of the bladder as possible. Some patients may be treated by removing only part of the bladder, and that procedure is followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Some patients may be treated with chemotherapy before surgery, to try and shrink their tumor down, so that they might be able to avoid having the entire bladder removed. However, many people with stage II and stage III tumors still require bladder removal. In some patients with stage III tumors who choose not to have surgery, or who cannot tolerate surgery, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation may be used. Most patients with stage IV tumors cannot be cured and surgery is not indicated. In these patients, chemotherapy is often considered. Please see the web pages for more details on Bladder cancer.

Question: What is the difference between using an analogue of GTP rather than GTP itself? in preparing the crystal for analysis by x-ray crystallography. A variant form of a small G-protein Rus has a histidine residue substituted for the normal wid-type glutamine at position 61. The variant was identified in a human bladder cancer. The polypeptide has been crystallised with a structural analogue of GTP.

Answer: First of all, it is Ras, not Rus. Ras has intrinsic GTPase activity that is ususally regulated by another protein called a GAP (GTPase activating protein). The mutation at position 61 (also positions 12 and 13) abolish the GTPase activity. So, the protein can still bind GTP, but can no longer cleave GTP to GDP. The analog was used in place of GTP to induce crystalization. They likely used both. Also, keep in mind that if one used GTP in a normal Ras protein, it would be cleaved to GDP.

Question: Bladder related medical question?``? I have been having pain, below my belly button, when I first get up in the morning to go pee. Yesterday, the doc said I have blood in my urine, and he put me on Cipro, an antibiotic. He said I have a UTI. Now, I am a hypochondriac. LOL I was wondering about bladder cancer. The antibiotics don't seem to be helping, and the pain is still present. I have gotten frequent UTI's since I was a little kid. None of them have given me this type of pain. I have had urinaylisis (spelling) tests done in the past and they all talk about my "squamous cells" being in a 25-100 range. What does this mean? And would the doc be able to see a cancer in my bladder from the urine test? Anything to put my fears at ease would be hellpful. Thanks! And the test said "squamous epi cells" being at a range of 25-100. I don't get it, I am no doctor. Also, how do they test for bladder cancer? I heard they can do it by urine. And if I had it, would they have been able to see it from past urine dips? I do pee alot, sometimes I do have a little bit of bladder leakage.

Answer: Squamos epithelial cells are skin cells. Squamos is just the shape of the cell and epithelial means skin! These are normal cells! Just make sure to take your antibiotics until they are gone! Not completing them will not make you better. You might start to feel better after a little while but continue for the length of time prescribed to you! If you do not complete your UTI will not go away completely and you will be at risk for recurrent UTI's. The most common cause of an UTI is the bacteria E. coli. This is found in your stool. Make sure you wipe from front to back! Yes, I think the doctors would be able to tell you if you had cancer. Stats say that bladder cancer is most common in men older than 60 yrs. Some symptoms of bladder cancer include increased frequency, urgency, and getting up at night to pee all the time and urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is when you have to go pee really bad but you can't hold it and end up peeing your pants! Don't worry so much! Stress isn't good for you =0) Hope this helps!

Question: Should smokers be considered suicidal? Given how much evidence there is that smoking tobacco is dangerous to your health and can kill you eventually, do you think that smoking is a slow way of commiting suicide? I do. Smoking has been shown to give you Lung Cancer, as well as other respiratory problems such as Emphysema ( let me know if i spelled that wrong). It can also cause other types of cancer. For instance, my grandfather had bladder cancer last year (it is gone now) and the doctors said it was probably because he used to smoke. Also, my cousin's stepfather was also diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this year, and the doctors said it was probably because he smokes. Smoking has been proven to reduce your lifespan. So, given all this evidence, it seems to me that anyone who smokes must either be suicidal or just plain stupid. What do you think?

Answer: By connection, this would mean that companies manufacturing cigarettes would be homocidal, and after killing numerous people through respiratory and other diseases, should be destroyed and have everyone inside the companies charged with manslaughter. .. Doesn't sound like a bad idea.