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The Early Signs and Symptoms of Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma

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Bladder cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting the general population. There are various types of bladder cancer which include squamous cell carcinomas, Urothelial carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Papillary Urothelial Carcinomas affect the urethra, the inner bladder lining and lower kidney. Cancer develops when cells in these organs start growing and multiplying abnormally. Early diagnosis of cancer increases your chances of getting treated and making a full recovery. Here are the early signs of papillary urothelial carcinoma.

Haematuria

One of the earliest signs that you could be having bladder cancer is the presence of blood in the urine. As the cancerous cells grow and multiply, they form a growth inside the bladder, urethra or kidneys. This irritates the lining, leading to bleeding. Sometimes, the colour of your urine will be pink, indicating the presence of red blood cells. At other times, there are only traces of blood in the urine, which will need a medical examination to trace. This symptom can be accompanied by a frequent need to urinate and pain when urinating.

Pain in the Lower Back

Back pain is one of the commonly ignored signs of bladder cancer. Lower back pain will sometimes be accompanied by abdominal pain. The pain is normally the result of swellings and inflammation caused by the tumours developing on the urothelial. The pain also develops when any form of blockage develops on the urethra. It is important to note that back pain alone is not the most common indicator that you are developing cancer. However, if the back pain is accompanied by blood in the urine and pain when urinating, it is advisable to get tested.

Night Sweats and Swelling

As cancer grows, it metastasises. Small tumours break off and travel to other parts of the urinary tract. This compromises the efficiency of water and waste removal from the body. As a result, you might develop swelling in the feet, also known as oedema, and night sweats. Usually, these signs present themselves when cancer has reached late stages.

Papillary urothelial carcinoma is also referred to as transitional cell carcinoma. Its prognosis is generally good, but only if you are diagnosed in its early stages of development. Other symptoms to look out for include fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. The best way to stay clear from bladder cancer is by getting medical annual cancer check-ups by quality healthcare clinics. As long as you get early diagnosis, you have much better chances of survival when you get bladder cancer treatment


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