What symptoms occur in advanced bladder cancer?
Jan 07, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Aifen
Introduction
Advanced bladder tumors are often large in size. If a bladder tumor grows at the bladder neck, it can cause bladder outlet obstruction, leading to difficulty in urination. If the tumor obstructs the ureteral orifice, it may result in hydronephrosis of the affected kidney, causing symptoms such as flank pain and flank fullness. Obstruction also frequently leads to secondary upper urinary tract infection.
Do you know much about bladder cancer? It is, in fact, a very common disease—and one with serious consequences. In its early stages, bladder cancer may present with symptoms such as frequent and urgent urination, hematuria (blood in the urine), and painful urination—all of which significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Early surgical intervention is therefore essential. But what symptoms appear in advanced (late-stage) bladder cancer? Let’s take a closer look.
What Symptoms Occur in Advanced Bladder Cancer?
In advanced cases, bladder tumors are typically large in size. When a tumor grows near the bladder neck, it may cause bladder outlet obstruction, leading to difficulty urinating. If the tumor blocks one or both ureteral orifices, hydronephrosis (kidney swelling due to urine backup) can develop on the affected side, resulting in flank pain or a sensation of fullness. Such obstruction also predisposes patients to upper urinary tract infections. Bilateral ureteral orifice obstruction may lead to oliguria (reduced urine output) or anuria (absence of urine), potentially progressing to acute renal failure. Additionally, patients with advanced bladder cancer often exhibit systemic cancer-related symptoms—including weight loss, fatigue, and general physical debilitation. For late-stage bladder cancer, conservative management with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is recommended alongside surgery. Ginsenoside Rh2, for example, not only helps improve overall physical condition and enhance immune resistance but also further inhibits tumor cell proliferation and metastasis—thereby extending patient survival.
Early Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Frequent and Urgent Urination
When cancer cells invade the trigone of the bladder—the triangular region at the bladder base—they irritate the bladder wall, often triggering early warning signs of bladder cancer. Sudden onset of urinary frequency and urgency may indicate early-stage disease, at which point treatment remains relatively straightforward. Similarly, sudden onset of dysuria (painful urination) may also signal bladder cancer.
Pain
Painful urination commonly occurs when the tumor has widely infiltrated the bladder wall and invaded deeply into the tissue. Pain intensifies during bladder filling and contraction. If the tumor involves the bladder neck, urethral obstruction may result, potentially causing urinary retention. Invasion of the ureteral orifice may lead to ascending infection and even pyelonephrosis (hydronephrosis with infection). In severe cases, progression to uremia or sepsis may occur; in terminal-stage bladder cancer, patients may develop cancer cachexia—a syndrome characterized by extreme weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, and weakness.
Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)
Early-stage bladder cancer is often asymptomatic—except for visible (gross) hematuria, which serves as the “red flag” for this disease. Nearly all bladder cancer patients experience this symptom. Experts emphasize that any occurrence of such abnormal bleeding warrants prompt medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and initiate timely, targeted treatment.
