Urinary bladder lesions in the form of urinary bladder cancer are one of the most common cancers worldwide. It is more common in men than in women. The National Cancer Institute reports that the most common types of urinary bladder cancer are transitional cell carcinoma, which has a strong association with smoking, and squamous cell carcinoma, which is usually found in places such as some in the Middle East and Africa that are endemic with schistosomiasis, a type of parasitic disease. Since most urinary bladder lesions are cancerous, this can lead to complications seen in the patient.
Bleeding
Some urinary bladder lesions tend to grow out from the bladder's surface like a tree growing out from the ground. These lesions can erode, causing hematuria, or blood in the urine. This can be in the form of tea-colored urine or gross blood coming out of the urethra. Continuous bleeding, even in small amounts, can lead to chronic anemia if left untreated.
Obstruction
Obstruction can sometimes occur when the bladder lesion grows near the urethral opening of the bladder, according to the University of Virginia School of Medicine. This can cause urinary symptoms such as pain in urination, an increase in the frequency of urination, straining in urination along with the compelling need to urinate.
Bilateral Obstructive Uropathy
Bilateral obstructive uropathy is defined by obstruction of the urine from both of the kidneys, causing them to swell because of poor urine drainage. This in turn can cause increased pressure within the kidney, causing gradual destruction of the kidney cells, hence predisposing the patient to develop renal failure or severe kidney malfunction.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can sometimes occur due to repeated urinary tract infections commonly seen in bladder-obstructing tumors, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. This can cause severe pain and sometimes bloody urine. Unfortunately, the development of stones can further obstruct the urinary bladder outlet leading to further urinary bladder obstructive symptoms and ultimately renal failure if no medical or surgical intervention is initiated.
Enterovesicular Fistula
A September 2009 study published in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" notes that enterovesicular fistula is a complication of urinary bladder lesions. An enterovesicular fistula is an abnormal channel that connects the interior of the urinary bladder with another structure within the abdomen. This is relatively rare in bladder tumors but can be found in cases of squamous cell carcinoma. This condition can present as gas or air in the urine. Repeated urinary tract infections may possibly occur if the urinary bladder becomes connected with the intestines.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result: Cancer Incidence in Four Member Countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan) of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) Compared with US SEER
- University of Virginia School of Medicine: Tumors of the Urothelium
- MedlinePlus: Acute Bilateral Obstructive Uropathy
- MedlinePlus: Kidney Stones
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology"; Enterovesical fistula caused by a bladder squamous cell carcinoma; C.O. Yang et al.; September 2009
