Advanced Technology at OLBH Surgery Center Helps Detect Bladder Cancer
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Day Surgery Center | Cancer Care at Bellefonte
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William Boykin, M.D., OLBH Urologist
"Smoking cessation, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding exposure to certain chemicals...all help in the prevention of bladder cancer." - William Boykin |
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 57,400 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. during 2003. This type of cancer can sometimes be detected early, which improves the chances that it can be treated successfully.
"Blood in the urine, frequent urination, the feeling to urinate without being able to, pain during urination or lower back pain can be indications of bladder cancer," William Boykin, M.D., OLBH urologist, said. "Although these problems also can occur due to conditions other than cancer, they should not be ignored."
The Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Same Day Surgery Center's dedicated urology operating room offers cystoscopy, an advanced technology to detect cancer by allowing visualization of the bladder, kidney and urethra. "The cystoscopy allows me to examine the bladder for abnormalities with a tiny, lighted tube called a cystoscope," Dr. Boykin explained. "If indications are that something is out of the ordinary, a sampling of tissue known as a biopsy can be removed. The biopsy helps to determine if cancer is present as well as the type of cancer it is."
The OLBH Same Day Surgery Center provides access to the same standard of excellent care available inside the hospital while offering quality, convenient outpatient surgical procedures.
When cancer is detected, urologists often consult with oncologists - medical specialists in the treatment of cancer - to determine if the disease has spread to other areas of the body and for non-surgical treatment recommendations. The oncologist establishes if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body by determining which stage that the patient's cancer is in.
"The stages of bladder cancer are labeled from 0 through IV (4)," Kirti Jain, M.D., OLBH oncologist, said. "In general, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means the patient has a more serious cancer."
According to Dr. Jain, the primary methods of treatment for bladder cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. "Based on the stage of a patient's cancer, a single treatment or a combination of treatments may be recommended," Dr. Jain explained.
There are different types of surgery for bladder cancer. "Early stage bladder cancer may be treated by endoscopic surgery," Dr. Boykin said. "Other surgeries for more advanced bladder cancers may involve removal of the entire bladder or removal of only a portion of the bladder."
Prevention of bladder cancer includes smoking cessation, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding exposure to certain chemicals such as aromatic amines. Industries where these chemicals are in common use include the makers of rubber, leather, printing materials, textiles and paint products.
If you experience any changes in your bladder habits or blood in your urine, please consult your physician immediately. For more information about available bladder cancer treatment options or OLBH physicians, please call the CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).
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