Knowledge Base Article

Did You Know?

According to the National Cancer Institute, bladder cancer:

• Is the fourth most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men in the United States,
• Occurs about four times higher in men than in women,
• Is diagnosed almost twice as often in White individuals as in Black individuals of either sex; and
• The incidence of bladder cancer increases with age.

   

  Bladder Cancer Symptoms

  Although symptoms can vary from person to person, the most common symptom is blood in the urine, called hematuria. Although hematuria is the most common presenting symptom, most people experiencing hematuria do not have bladder cancer. Other common symptoms include:

• Frequent urination,
• Pain or burning during urination,
• Feeling as if you need to urinate even if your bladder is not full, and
• Frequent urination during the night.

   

  If the cancer has grown large or spread beyond the bladder, symptoms may include:

• Being unable to urinate
• Lower back pain on one side of the body
• Pain in the abdomen
• Bone pain or tenderness
• Unintended weight loss and loss of appetite
• Swelling in the feet, and
• Feeling tired.

   

  April 3, 2023: FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for Patients

  The FDA granted accelerated approval to enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (Padcev, Astellas Pharma) with pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck) for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. Note, this cancer primarily arises in the bladder.

   

  In an April 3^rd, Merck news release, Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories notes “This approval is a major milestone in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma because it is the first approved combination of an immunotherapy and an antibody-drug conjugate for these patients…This expands the use of KEYTRUDA-based regimens to more patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma and demonstrates the value of collaboration in creating new combination approaches for patients in need of more options.”

   

  Why it Matters?

  There are risk factors related to developing bladder cancer, most common being tobacco use, especially smoking cigarettes. Examples of additional risk factors includes:

• Having a family history of bladder, cancer,
• Having certain changes in the genes that are linked to bladder cancer,
• Being exposed to paints, dyes, metals, or petroleum products in the workplace,
• Past treatment with radiation therapy to the pelvis or with certain anticancer drugs, such as cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide,
• Taking Aristolochia fangchi, a Chinese herb,
• Drinking water from a well that has high levels of arsenic,
• Drinking water that has been treated with chlorine,
• Having a history of bladder infections, and
• Using urinary catheters for a long time.

What Can I Do?

First, if you smoke, quit! If you think you may be at risk for bladder cancer and/or are experiencing symptoms common for bladder cancer, discuss this with your physician. Time matters. The earlier bladder cancer is identified, the better chance a person has of surviving five years after diagnosis. The current 5-year relative survival rate is 77.9%.

Resources:

National Cancer Institute Cancer Stat Facts: Bladder Cancer: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/urinb.html

National Cancer Institute Bladder and Other Urothelial Cancers Screening (PDF®) Health Profession Version: https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/hp/bladder-screening-pdq

FDA April 3, 2023 News Release: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-enfortumab-vedotin-ejfv-pembrolizumab-locally-advanced-or-metastatic