Bladder cancer research has taken a lot of different paths in the past few years. Until recent years there was only one way to diagnose this disease and by then it was often much too late to effectively treat it. Today there are multiple studies on how to detect this ailment through urine analyses. These methods are far less invasive than previous methods and are preferred by doctors.
The trend for early detection is in urine analysis. There are three new tests for proteins in the urine that help to identify tumors especially in persons who have already been treated for this disease and may be suffering a relapse. The first, called BTA test, checks for a specific protein that signals the return of cancerous cells. There is a problem with false results because other conditions can affect the outcome.
Transitional cell cancers are the most common type of cancers detected by the NMP22 test. This test looks to the nucleus of proteins involved. Everyone has these proteins in their bodies but they are found in very small numbers. An elevated count of this protein serves as a red flag to doctors when they conduct this analysis.
A newer test than NMP22 has proven to be just as useful for detection of TCC. The Mcm5 is used in concert with the NMP22 and they can find TCC earlier than any other method. These three tests are not generally used unless other methods have proven ineffective.
Even with use of these tests, if they were commonly available, patients will still need to submit to an invasive procedure called the cystoscopy. This procedure entails a camera in the bladders of patients to find any tumors that may be present. Special chemicals are added to enhance the blood vessels that feed the tumors.
Treatment is another area of interest for researchers. One that appears to be especially successful is photodynamic therapy. With this treatment the patient is injected through a catheter with a special drug and salt water. When the bladder is full a special type of light is directed at the organ to activate the drug. This treatment kills all cancerous cells as well as damaging the blood vessels that feed them. It then causes the immune system to activate and destroy the tumor. This method can only be used if the tumor has not broken through the wall of bladders of patients.
Combination therapies are being tested and proving to be effective also. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used together to first shrink the tumor prior to considering surgery. Radiotherapy works to help stop the tumors from returning after treatment. Another step that is often added is to flood the affected area with oxygen because the cells die easier when they are flooded with oxygen.
Many researchers are experimenting with the concept of biological therapy. This method of treatment uses your body's natural substances to fight the cancers that you may have. Many drugs have been produced and are being used in tests with fairly good results. The reports from researchers give hope to those who may be suffering from this disease.
The trend for early detection is in urine analysis. There are three new tests for proteins in the urine that help to identify tumors especially in persons who have already been treated for this disease and may be suffering a relapse. The first, called BTA test, checks for a specific protein that signals the return of cancerous cells. There is a problem with false results because other conditions can affect the outcome.
Transitional cell cancers are the most common type of cancers detected by the NMP22 test. This test looks to the nucleus of proteins involved. Everyone has these proteins in their bodies but they are found in very small numbers. An elevated count of this protein serves as a red flag to doctors when they conduct this analysis.
A newer test than NMP22 has proven to be just as useful for detection of TCC. The Mcm5 is used in concert with the NMP22 and they can find TCC earlier than any other method. These three tests are not generally used unless other methods have proven ineffective.
Even with use of these tests, if they were commonly available, patients will still need to submit to an invasive procedure called the cystoscopy. This procedure entails a camera in the bladders of patients to find any tumors that may be present. Special chemicals are added to enhance the blood vessels that feed the tumors.
Treatment is another area of interest for researchers. One that appears to be especially successful is photodynamic therapy. With this treatment the patient is injected through a catheter with a special drug and salt water. When the bladder is full a special type of light is directed at the organ to activate the drug. This treatment kills all cancerous cells as well as damaging the blood vessels that feed them. It then causes the immune system to activate and destroy the tumor. This method can only be used if the tumor has not broken through the wall of bladders of patients.
Combination therapies are being tested and proving to be effective also. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used together to first shrink the tumor prior to considering surgery. Radiotherapy works to help stop the tumors from returning after treatment. Another step that is often added is to flood the affected area with oxygen because the cells die easier when they are flooded with oxygen.
Many researchers are experimenting with the concept of biological therapy. This method of treatment uses your body's natural substances to fight the cancers that you may have. Many drugs have been produced and are being used in tests with fairly good results. The reports from researchers give hope to those who may be suffering from this disease.
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