Advocating for Yourself or Loved Ones When Bladder Cancer is Suspected
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(StatePoint) If you or someone you know may have bladder cancer, being well informed could get you the best diagnosis and treatment. In fact, according to an article published in “Urologic Oncology,” in 46.5% of the cases where a bladder was removed because of advanced cancer, a very serious type of tumor called carcinoma in situ (CIS) had been missed in past transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) procedures. This alarming statistic magnifies the need for urologists to have enhanced tumor visibility during TURBTs. There is one procedure that can offer visibility of hardto- see tumors including CIS; it’s called Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC). Here’s what to know: TURBT can be a critical diagnostic step when done properly and precisely. The TURBT provides essential information regarding the number of tumors, tumor sizes, locations and depth of invasion. All these factors significantly inform the identification of a patient’s risk category, which can subsequently impact treatment decisions.