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.
Many new treatments are now routinely practiced in some places. Some of the most advanced treatments that are available for consideration include gene therapy, immunotherapy, laparoscopic surgery and personalised chemotherapy. Perhaps the most interesting of them is gene therapy. In this type, the cancerous cells are targeted at gene level just as the name suggest. Interfering with the reproductive mechanism halts the uncontrolled proliferation.
In one of the studies carried out recently, it has been shown that the prevalence of bladder cancer stands at about 400,000 in the United States alone. Close to 6,000 new diagnoses are made every year. The mortality rate is very high for the aggressive, high grade carcinoma. Fortunately only a small number of people have these aggressive forms. It is important that signs and symptoms are identified early to halt progress.
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.
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.
Besides the amines, there are several other drugs, medical procedures and conditions which have been shown to increase the risk. The drugs phenacetin and cyclophosphamide are some of the well known carcinogens. The medical procedure known to cause an increase is irradiation of the pelvic organs which is often required in treatment of testicular cancer and cervical cancer.
For the benefits of bladder cancer research to be fully appreciated, one needs to be organised. All the data should be entered into a database. Matching the patient response to treatment to their biodata is used to assess the treatment effectiveness. Since some studies may require files to be stored for decades, it is important to identify a secure location.
Many new treatments are now routinely practiced in some places. Some of the most advanced treatments that are available for consideration include gene therapy, immunotherapy, laparoscopic surgery and personalised chemotherapy. Perhaps the most interesting of them is gene therapy. In this type, the cancerous cells are targeted at gene level just as the name suggest. Interfering with the reproductive mechanism halts the uncontrolled proliferation.
In one of the studies carried out recently, it has been shown that the prevalence of bladder cancer stands at about 400,000 in the United States alone. Close to 6,000 new diagnoses are made every year. The mortality rate is very high for the aggressive, high grade carcinoma. Fortunately only a small number of people have these aggressive forms. It is important that signs and symptoms are identified early to halt progress.
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.
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.
Besides the amines, there are several other drugs, medical procedures and conditions which have been shown to increase the risk. The drugs phenacetin and cyclophosphamide are some of the well known carcinogens. The medical procedure known to cause an increase is irradiation of the pelvic organs which is often required in treatment of testicular cancer and cervical cancer.
For the benefits of bladder cancer research to be fully appreciated, one needs to be organised. All the data should be entered into a database. Matching the patient response to treatment to their biodata is used to assess the treatment effectiveness. Since some studies may require files to be stored for decades, it is important to identify a secure location.
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