July 31, 2023
Symptoms of early-stage bladder cancer are often mild and may be overlooked or misunderstood as other common bladder conditions. Common early symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, blood in the urine or blood clots in the urine. These symptoms may occur intermittently, causing changes in the color of your urine. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other non-cancerous bladder conditions, so patients should seek medical advice as soon as possible to make a correct diagnosis.
As bladder cancer progresses, symptoms may worsen. Some patients may experience low back or pelvic pain, and bladder cancer can also affect kidney function, causing back pain and nausea. As the tumor grows further, patients may experience pelvic pressure and a feeling of fullness in the bladder as the tumor presses on the urethra and prevents normal urine drainage.
In cases where bladder cancer is more advanced, symptoms can be more severe. For example, patients may experience difficulty urinating due to a tumor blocking the urethra. Tumors may also invade nearby organs and tissues, causing difficulty in penile erection, swelling of the perineal area, and lymph node swelling. Tumors may also spread to surrounding lymph nodes, bones, liver, lungs and other organs, causing corresponding symptoms.
In short, the clinical manifestations of bladder cancer are diverse. In the early stage, symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, dysuria, and hematuria may be the main symptoms. In the late stage, dysuria, low back pain, back pain, and organ-related symptoms may occur. If any of the above symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for further examination and diagnosis. Early detection of bladder cancer can help improve treatment effectiveness and survival rates.
