Bladder Cancer
What
is Bladder Cancer?
The bladder is an organ located in the
pelvic cavity that stores and discharges urine. Urine is
produced by the kidneys, carried to the bladder by the ureters, and
discharged from the bladder
through the urethra. Bladder cancer accounts for approximately 90% of
cancers of the urinary
tract (renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, urethra). Numerous chemicals are
suspected bladder cancer
forming agents, however, only cigarette smoking and occupational exposure
to a certain class of
organic chemicals called aromatic amines are well-established risk
factors.
Bladder cancer usually originates in the bladder lining, which consists of
a mucous layer of surface
cells that expand and deflate (transitional epithelial cells), smooth
muscle, and a fibrous layer.
Tumors are categorized as low-stage (superficial) or high-stage (muscle
invasive). There are
several different types of bladder cancer. The most common, transitional
cell carcinoma (TCC),
causes 90% of bladder cancers. This type of cancer starts in the layer of
cells that forms the
lining of the bladder. The rarer types of bladder cancer include squamous
cell carcinomas and
adenocarcinomas, which have a different cell structure.
If the cancer is only in the bladder lining, it is called a superficial
cancer. If it has spread to the
muscle wall of the bladder it is called an invasive cancer.
Invasive cancers can spread through the bladder wall into nearby organs
such as the prostate
gland in men, the vagina in women, the bowel, or lymph nodes. Further
spread to other organs
such as the bones and liver is possible.
What is
“Cancer” Insurance?
Cancer
insurance provides benefits only if you get cancer. If yes, then Cancer
policies sold today
vary widely in cost and coverage. If you decide to purchase a cancer
insurance policy, contact
different companies and agents, and compare the policies before you buy.
Cancer insurance is
sometimes referred to as a specified disease or dreaded disease policy.
It is also necessary if you
are considering the purchase of cancer insurance or other specified
disease type coverage, it is a
good idea to carefully review your current health insurance policies.
Before going for cancer
insurance you should make it clear from agent or company that all
expenses will be covered by
policy or only hospital costs will be bared by cancer insurance policy.
Many cancer insurance
policies have fixed cost limits. Cancer insurance is not a substitute for
comprehensive coverage.
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