Invasive bladder cancer occurs when cancer cells spread beyond the bladder lining to surrounding muscles and organs. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are more likely to develop into invasive bladder cancer, while transitional cell carcinoma usually presents only as superficial bladder cancer. Treatment options include radical cystectomy, tumor-shrinking radiation treatments, and partial cystectomy.
Invasive bladder cancer is a form of the disease in which cancer cells move beyond the lining of the bladder to surrounding muscles, and possibly to other organs and through the lymph fluid. This type of cancer is more likely to develop if it starts growing in the transition cells, which line the bladder wall. The condition is less common than superficial bladder cancer, which affects only the lining of the bladder.
There are three main cell types that can present in bladder cancer: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and urothelial or transitional cell carcinoma. The above two types are more likely to develop into invasive bladder cancer, whereas transitional cell carcinoma usually presents only as superficial bladder cancer. Adenocarcinoma typically originates in the glands. Squamous cell carcinoma tends to grow as a result of long-term inflammation and irritation in the bladder.
Each form of bladder cancer is assigned a classification based on how well it penetrates the body. Invasive bladder cancer is one of the highest possible classifications of the disease. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma tend to be more aggressive because they have usually developed for a long time before being discovered.
Bladder cancer is also diagnosed based on the grade or size of the tumors. Most superficial bladder cancers are typically low-grade tumors. High-grade tumors, on the other hand, are common in invasive bladder cancer. Medical professionals may also be able to determine based on the type of cancer how likely the cancer is to return after it is treated.
Most cases of invasive bladder cancer are treated via radical cystectomy, which is a surgical procedure that removes the bladder. This surgery is performed primarily due to a high risk of disease recurrence, which can often be worse or fatal if it develops a second time. Other problematic growths are also typically removed during this procedure, in a process called pelvic lymph node dissection. Although the disease is aggressive, some doctors will try to find a way to save the patient’s bladder before resorting to surgery.
Other options for treating invasive bladder cancer include the generally discouraged practice of preserving the bladder and performing a partial cystectomy. To save the bladder, most patients will undergo tumor-shrinking radiation treatments. In most cases, chemotherapy is thought to be too toxic to the bladder. Partial cystectomy is a newer and rarely used procedure. It involves the removal of lymph nodes and tumors and can also be followed by radiation.
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