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Urology  (Expert Forum)
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Dad's bladder tumour
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.

Dad's bladder tumour

by AJ__0__0, Jun 27, 1998 12:00AM
  We just got word that my dad has a bladder tumour. He is scheduled
  for surgery on July 3rd. The specialist described it as a nasty
  tumour after the cystoscopy. Is it common practice to go into surgery
  without a ct scan first? Your insights are appreciated. Thanks.  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear AJ,
Bladder cancers are divided in to noninvasive and invasive groups.  Noninvasive cancers are “superficial”.  They may look papillary or flat and do not invade the muscularis propria.  Invasive tumors invade into the musculais propria.  Noninvasive cancers can be resected and treated with medication instilled into the bladder.  Invasive cancers may require removal of the bladder.  Thus, one needs to know how much the bladder and its surrounding structures are involved with cancer.  Staging can be assessed with CT.
In order to stage the cancer, i.e. determine the extent of spread, CT scanning provides information about the primary tumor and the presence of lymphatic spread or liver or adrenal metastases.  However, CT does have its drawbacks.  It can only detect gross spread of tumor outside the bladder, only large lymph nodes and liver metastases >2 cm.  CT scans also fail to detect nodal metastases in up to 40% of patients.  However, because treatment of bladder cancer is based on the stage of the disease, the CT is a good modality for preoperative staging and it would seem prudent to perform a CT prior to therapy if the index of suspicion for an invasive cancer is high.  Performing the study prior to the resection of the tumor allows for more accurate staging as it is not complicated by post surgical inflammation around the bladder.

Here at Henry Ford, we have a specialist in urologic cancer, the Chairman of the Urology Department, Dr. Mani Menon.  He has many years of experience and is very knowledgeable. Individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling  (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any physicians’ notes and lab test results that you  may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Sincerely yours;
HFHS M.D.-JL
* Keyword: Bladder cancer/ staging




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