Bladder Cancers are the second most common urologic cancer after prostate cancer, affecting 52,000 patients per year. Painless blood in the urine is the most common initial finding. This may be visible (red blood) or may only be seen under the microscope. Bladder irritation may also be noted. Causative factors have included tobacco use, occupational exposure to chemicals, ingestion of certain chemicals, and exposure to S haemotobium.

Treatment of Bladder Cancer depends on the degree of tumor spread. For patients with superficial (that is only on the surface of the bladder without true invasion) surgical resection may be curative. As the tumor begins to invade into the skin/muscle of the bladder, more aggressive treatments including instilling chemotherapy (such as Mitomycin C) or BCG (a biologic modifier) may be required. If the tumor has invaded the muscle, surgical removal of the bladder may be required. Pre-operative chemotherapy, with drugs such as methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, are frequently used for more advanced disease.

Bladder Cancers are not currently a disease treated with transplantation at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The Cancer Center also has two active research studies for patients with bladder cancers. One trial is exploring the use of weekly taxol in previously treated patients with advanced cancers. A second study is evaluating the combination of taxol and carboplatin in advanced cancers. For more information on these studies call (201) 996-5800.

Kidney cancers are relatively rare, accounting for only 3% of adult tumors. The most common type in Renal Cell Carcinoma. Blood in the urine (visible or microscopic) is typically present at the time of diagnosis. Flank pain and a palpable mass may also be present. Fever, shortness of breath, and elevations of red blood cell counts have also been noted in some patients. Cigarette smoking has been linked to kidney cancers.

Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma typically includes surgical removal of the diseased kidney. If the tumor has remained confined to the kidney this alone can be curative in 50-60%. However, if the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes or other distant sites (such as the lungs) additional treatment may be required. Since most chemotherapy drugs have minimal effect on renal cell cancers that have spread, newer treatments such as biological response modifiers (including interferon and/or interleukin-2) may be used.

Kidney Cancers are not currently a disease treated with transplantation at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.