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Friday, 17 January 2014

Some New Findings On Bladder Cancer Research

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By Amanda Bean


Bladder cancer research studies have greatly helped the medical fraternity to gain a deeper understanding of the disease. The results have been used to develop more effective treatment plans that are aimed at identifying the disease early enough and intervening in the most effective manner. There are still many more ongoing studies all over the world and it is hoped that these will help refine the results of earlier findings.

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.

According to some recent studies, the prevalence of bladder cancer in the United States stands at about 400, 000 currently. The incidence is a staggering 16,000 cases per year. This makes the disease a major problem. Mortality is mainly due to the extremely aggressive, invasive types. Fortunately these affect a smaller proportion of patients. Early diagnosis is very important if cure is to be attained.

The condition has also been seen in dogs and has been extensively studied. Among dogs, the commonest type is the high grade type which typically presents with urinary obstruction. If not diagnosed in time, the tumour rapidly causes death. A number of treatments are in different stages of development. So far, the results from trials involving treatment of transitional cell carcinoma among the canines have been very promising.

There has been a certain trend as regards the most significant risk factors. Smoking remains the greatest contributor at about 35% with just a slight difference in the rates for men and women according to a 2010 study done in the UK. By smoking, you increase the risk by as much as 400%. The heavier one smokes, the greater the risk.

Another huge risk factor is occupational exposure. Persons that work in dye and rubber industries have been shown to be at a greater risk compared to the general population. The relationship between dyes has been known from as beck as the nineteenth century but it was not until the 1950s that it was scientifically proven. The components that have been shown to be harmful include benzidine and naphthalene.

There are a number of drugs that are thought to also increase the risk. Drugs such as phenacetin and cyclophosphamide are well known for this. Cyclophosphamide is actually an antitumor agent that is used is used in the treatment of other types of cancers but may affect the bladder as a side effect. Pelvic irradiation for treatment of different conditions is also a huge risk factor.

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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