Bladder Cancer is a common form of cancer where the cells of the inner wall of the bladder start to multiply uncontrollably resulting in formation of a tumor. Approximately 70,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year making it the fourth common form of cancer prevalent in the country.
Gender wise, this cancer is seen more in males than in females although the prognosis for males with Bladder Cancer is better than that of females. Functionally, the bladder is a muscular organ which stores urine in the body.
Bladder Cancer is a treatable medical condition especially in males with a 5 year survival rate when diagnosed early of more than 95%. That being said, the recurrence rate of Bladder Cancer is also quite high which requires the patient to be closely monitored for years to prevent progress or recurrence of the cancer.
It is estimated that about 70% of Bladder Cancers are diagnosed very early and are successfully treated. Individuals above the age of 70 are more at risk for developing Bladder Cancer than the younger population.
Is Bladder Cancer Genetic?
Any medical condition which is caused due to abnormality in the individual’s genes or the genetic makeup is termed as a genetic disease. The abnormality can range from minor to major chromosomal abnormality which may lead to physical deformities visible at the time of the birth of the child.
Some genetic conditions are inherited by the child from the parents while other genetic conditions are caused due to spontaneous mutations of genes. Speaking of Bladder Cancer, it is not an inherited condition but spontaneous genetic mutations occurring in the bladder cells may lead to development of bladder tumor which may turn malignant and result in Bladder Cancer. These non-inherited genetic mutations are termed as somatic mutations.
In summary, Bladder Cancer cannot be termed as an inherited medical condition but certain gene mutations occurring in an individual’s bladder cells during his lifetime may increase the risk of development of Bladder Cancer.
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