Bladder Cancer (cont.)
The promise of cancer research
Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials.
These are research studies in which people take part voluntarily. Doctors are
studying ways to treat bladder cancer and prevent it from coming back. Research
already has led to advances in these areas, and researchers continue to search
for more effective approaches.
Patients who join clinical trials have the first chance
to benefit from new treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. They
also make an important contribution to medical science by helping doctors learn more about
the disease. Although clinical trials may pose some risks, researchers take many
steps to protect their patients.
Patients who are interested in joining a clinical study should talk with
their doctor. They may want to read Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer
Patients Need To Know. This NCI booklet describes how treatment studies are
carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. NCI's Web site at
http://cancer.gov provides general information about clinical trials. It also
offers detailed information about specific ongoing studies of bladder cancer by
linking to PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database. The Cancer Information
Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can answer questions and provide information from the
PDQ database.
Doctors are studying surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological
therapy, and combinations of these types of treatment. Another approach under
study is photodynamic therapy,
which uses drugs that start to work when exposed to light. After the cancer
cells absorb the drug, the doctor shines a special
light inside the bladder through a cystoscope. The drug becomes active and kills
the cancer cells.
Doctors also are studying whether large doses of vitamins or certain drugs
may prevent bladder cancer from coming back after treatment.
- While the exact cause(s) of bladder cancer is
not known, risk factors have been identified.
- The most common warning sign of bladder cancer
is blood in the urine.
- The diagnosis of bladder cancer is supported by
findings of the medical history and examination, blood, urine, and x-ray
tests, and confirmed with a biopsy (usually during a
cystoscope exam).
- Treatment of bladder cancer depends on the growth,
size, and location of the tumor as well as the age and health
of the patient.
National Cancer Institute information resources
You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The
following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.
Telephone
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their
families, health professionals, and the general public. Information specialists
translate the latest scientific information into understandable language and
respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.
Toll-free: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing
callers): 1-800-332-8615
Internet
http://cancer.gov
NCI's Web site contains comprehensive information about
cancer causes and prevention, screening and diagnosis, treatment and
survivorship; clinical trials; statistics; funding, training, and employment
opportunities; and the Institute and its programs.
SOURCE: U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov)
Last Editorial Review: 9/11/2007
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