BLADDER CANCER

Bladder cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the United States. The three main types of bladder cancer are transitional cell (the most common), squamous cell, and adenocarcimoma. Bladder cancer can occur at any age, but is more common in white men above the age of fifty. Fifty to eighty percent of all bladder cancers reoccur. When they return, the cancer is not necessarily the same type.

Smoking and genetics are the two main risk factors for bladder cancer. Symptoms of bladder cancer can be hematuria, painful or burning urination without the presence of a urinary tract infection, and changes in urination habits. Bladder cancer is detected by CT, ultrasound, IVP (intravenous pyelogram), cytoscopy, and biopsies. Treatment for bladder cancer is surgical removal of the affected area of the bladder, complete removal of bladder, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of any of the these treatments. Treatment is based on what stage the cancer is in. The cancer stage is determined by the amount of invasion into the bladder wall.

CROHN'S DISEASE

Crohn’s disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that causes an inflammation of the small bowel, large intestines, and colon. Early symptoms are severe abdomen pain, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite, rectal bleeding, anemia, and fever. Further progression of the disease can lead to sores in the mouth, possible bowel obstructions, nutrient deficiency, fistulas, and hemorrhoids.

Diagnosing Crohn’s disease is accomplished by lab tests, small bowel follow through, endoscopic procedures, barium enemas, CTs, and MRIs. The severity of the patient’s symptoms dictates how the physicians proceed with treatment. Mild symptoms are treated with antidiarrheals. Moderate symptoms are treated with antibiotics and, corticosteroids. Severe symptoms are treated with IV corticosteroids and if medications do not control symptoms, surgery is warranted. There is no cure for Crohn’s disease.

Crohn disease. Mesenteric inflammation