Symptoms

SCmom

Can some of you share your symptoms of bladder cancer. The reason I ask...I was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 10th. Had surgery and radiation. Finished over a week ago. This past weekend all of a sudden I had pressure in my bladder and then lots of blood. It came one day, and was gone the next. Went to the doctor and he said I was negative for UTI. He thought I could have passed kidney stone, but I did not have pain. Only burning for a couple times. Anyway, put me on antibiotic just in case. Said that if blood came back afterwards, he would run tests. Obviously, this is scaring me. I've had three UTI's in less than a year. Just wondered what the symptoms you experienced before diagnosis. Sorry so long. Thanks for any advice. Laura

ro

Don't want to scare you, but keep on top of this. The only symptons I had was bleeding, which happened three times for aabout 3 days each. Once thay said it was UTI, another time it was not UTI, and the third time when I had a cystoscopy, it ended up being a cancerous tumor. The best thing would be a biopsy. I didn't have that till they suspected cancer. Hope everything okay, write if you have any more questions.

ProjectCarol

The American Cancer Society's information states that blood in the urine and/or changes in bladder habits may indicate a bladder cancer is present. There are many other causes for these signs and symptoms, so additional tests or examinations may be the only way to distinguish between bladder cancer and certain benign (not cancerous) conditions. Since you are experiencing these signs or symptoms, it seems wise to talk to your doctor.

For additional information on bladder or breast cancer, feel free to call the American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-ACS-2345 to speak with a Cancer Information Specialist. You can also reach us by submitting a question through the 'Contact ACS' link at the top of this page. We can provide you with information on various issues that cancer patients face, including treatment, nutrition, side effects, etc. We can also search for community resources in your area, such as support groups, transportation assistance, lodging, referrals to other organizations, etc.

chemkat

hi, I had to diagnose myself in July of 2002 because my gynocologist insisted that I was fine even though I was passing blood and having a lot of pain. She put me on antibiotics that did absolutely nothing.I finally (6 mos later) went to another doctor and I had a bladder tumor the size of a baseball. The thing I remember most about my symptoms was that when I finished urinating and tightened my kegel muscle like you do I thought my bladder was empty but when I stood up it just poured out again like I hadn't even been. I knew something was up. Good luck to you and I hope this helps. I also just passed 2 kidney stones about 6 weeks ago and I promise you would have known if it was that. Please see another doctor if you are not satisfied with the one you have. I had to see 3 before I found one I trusted. I have been seemingly cancer free for 15 months. Good luck to you and I'll sure be thinking about you.

CharleneLewis

Hello Laura-
I was diagnosed Mar 2002, big surprise. I presented with what seemed to be a urine infection. I DID NOT have any blood. I had pain, pressure and burning. An IVP scan found the tumor, Stage III, TI, TCC (transitional cell carcinoma), 5.5 cm, invasive to the muscle lining but did not penetrate. This was removed 04/03.

I hope this tiny bit of information helps. Good luck, please keep us posted.

Charlene

gilly

I know this was a while ago-I hope you've been treated meanwhile, but for all others out there:
ask you doctor to do a pelvic ultrasound and a cystoscopy with bladder biopsy to be sure- I had TCC for over a year and kept getting misdiagnosed until I was bleeding-nothing shows up in the urine if it's not in the innermost layer of the bladder-my whole 2nd layer in (lamina propria) was cancerous. I had radical cystectomy and neo-bladder/pouch construction, and 12 yucky chemo sessions-now 1 year after chemo,knock on wood.
I'm a 43 year old non-smoker, one of the factors I've been alerted to is repeated bladder infections since childhood, also exposure to THC tri-halo-methane, the gas chlorine gives off when it attacks organic matter in swimming pools, drinking water, etc.Get aggressive with your diagnosis, don't listen to doctors who don't listen to you! find a good, caring, up-to-date doctor who thinks outside of the box. You are in charge of your health.
I also believe you can support your healing with good nutrition-reduce white sugars, eat more organic, whole foods, and de-stress, meditate, do yoga,dance, exercise, walk, whatever makes you feel healthy and relaxed.Moms-take time for yourselves-your kids will appreciate you being around longer in their lives-you have to take care of yourself NOW.
It also wouldn't hurt to get a President who gives a hoot about Healthcare and our environment...