Bladder Cancer Negligence & Misdiagnosis Claims Solicitors.

The bladder forms part of the urinary tract system and is responsible for filtering waste from the blood and producing urine. There are several layers of tissue that make up the bladder – the transitional epithelium which stretches when the bladder is full and prevents urine from re-entering the body; the lamina propria which consists mainly of connective tissue; and the muscularis propria which is a fatty layer that separates the bladder from the surrounding organs.

Bladder cancer typically develops when a tumour forms in the first layer – the transitional epithelium – and can then spread to the other layers of the bladder as the tumour grows. If left untreated, bladder cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs within the body.

There are three different types of bladder cancer, including:

• Non muscle invasive bladder cancer – This is the most common type of bladder cancer and it refers to cancers that are located in the lining of the bladder and have not penetrated through the surrounding muscle tissue.
• Muscle invasive bladder cancer – This type of bladder cancer refers to cancer which has developed and spread into the muscular layers of the bladder, where it may then have the potential to enter the lymphatic system and spread throughout the body.
• Metastatic bladder cancer – This is an advanced type of bladder cancer whereby the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, either via the lymphatic system, or into the surrounding organs.

If your bladder cancer has progressed due to a delayed diagnosis, you may be able to claim medical negligence compensation. Our professional team of medical negligence experts are on hand to discuss your case and offer advice and guidance.

The symptoms of bladder cancer can be very similar to those of other, less serious, conditions such as a urinary tract infection, therefore bladder cancer can be potentially misdiagnosed. This can then cause a delay in treatment and can allow the cancer to progress and spread to other parts of the body. As cancer progresses in this way, the treatment options can become much more intensive, and the overall prognosis can worsen.

All medical professionals owe their patients a duty of care, and a breach in this duty of care can be considered medical negligence. Some examples of medical negligence in the treatment of bladder cancer include:

• Failure of your GP to refer you to a urologist for further testing
• Failure of your GP to ask about your history of smoking or exposure to carcinogens
• Failure of the urologist to carry out the appropriate tests
• Failure to accurately read and interpret the test results
• Failure to prescribe the correct course of treatment

This list is not exhaustive. Any undue delay or behaviour that has caused you undue pain may indicate negligence.

Bladder cancer may present slightly differently in different patients depending on the exact location of the tumour and how advanced the cancer is. However, some of the key “red flag” symptoms to be aware of include:

• Blood/clots of blood in the urine (“haematuria”)
• Needing to urinate more frequently
• Sudden urge to urinate
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Inability to pass urine despite feeling the need to
• Waking to urinate in the night more frequently (“nocturia”)
• Pain in the lower back on one side
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Unintentional weight loss
• Swelling in the legs (“oedema”)

This list is not exhaustive, and if you experience any symptoms which give you cause for concern, you should see your GP as soon as possible in order that they can assess you and refer you for further testing where necessary.

The first step in receiving a diagnosis for bladder cancer is to see your GP. They will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing and your family history. Your GP may request a urine sample to be sent off for lab testing, and they may also carry out a physical examination of the vagina and/or rectum as there can sometimes be a noticeable lump fly through the vaginal and rectal walls.

If your GP suspects that you may have bladder cancer, they will refer you urgently for further testing, which may include:

• Cystoscopy – A camera on the end of a thin tube is passed through the urethra to examine the inside of the bladder.
• Imaging scans – A CT, MRI, or intravenous urogram may be requested by the specialist if they want to obtain a more detailed image of your bladder

If the presence of bladder cancer is confirmed, a multidisciplinary team of doctors, surgeons, and nurses will work together to provide the most appropriate course of treatment for the type and stage of bladder cancer that you have.

Treatment for bladder cancer typically includes:

• Transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) – This is a procedure whereby the surgeon uses a cystoscope to locate your bladder tumour/s and remove them. The tumours will then be sent off for testing to determine whether they were malignant or benign.
• Surgery – In cases of advanced bladder cancer, it may be necessary to remove the bladder completely in a procedure known as a radical cystectomy.
• Chemotherapy – Cancer-killing drugs are administered orally or intravenously to target and destroy the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour, or post-surgery to ensure the cancer is completely gone.
• Radiotherapy – Radiation is applied to the tumour in order to shrink it before surgery or ensure that all of the cancerous cells are destroyed after surgery.
• Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment – In this treatment method, the BCG vaccine – most used to protect against tuberculosis – is administered intravesical (i.e. directly into the bladder), causing the bladder to send a signal to the immune system to destroy the cancerous cells.

If your cancer is misdiagnosed, it can delay your treatment and can increase the likelihood of you requiring a more aggressive course of treatment, potentially with more negative side effects. A delay in diagnosis can also lead to your bladder cancer becoming untreatable. If you have received negligent medical treatment that has affected the prognosis of your bladder cancer, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

It is not always clear why a patient has developed bladder cancer. However, there are a number of factors that can significantly increase the risk of developing the disease, including:

• Smoking – According to NHS figures, around one third of bladder cancer diagnoses is caused by smoking. Cigarettes contain carcinogens that are absorbed into the bloodstream, filtered by the kidneys, and passed out via urine. The bladder of a smoker is routinely exposed to carcinogens over a prolonged period of time, which can mutate the cells in the bladder lining, potentially leading to cancer.
• Chemical exposure – There are a number of chemicals that have been linked to an increase in developing bladder cancer:
• • 2-Naphthylamine
  • 4-Aminobiphenyl
  • Aniline dyes
  • Xenylamine
  • Benzidine
  • O-toluidine

Workers in industries such as the manufacture of paint, rubber, textiles, and leather products, as well as painters, printers, machinists, and hairdressers all handle harmful chemicals in their jobs. Whilst there are now strict regulations regarding the use of carcinogenic chemicals in the workplace, bladder cancer can develop up to 30 years after your exposure to the chemicals.

• Previous cancer treatment – Exposure to radiotherapy and certain chemotherapy medications for a previous cancer can increase your risk of developing bladder cancer.
• Type 2 diabetes – Certain treatments/medications for this condition can enhance your risk of bladder cancer.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – Suffering with repeated or prolonged UTIs or bladder stones can increase your risk.
• An indwelling catheter – Having a tube inserted into your bladder for a prolonged period of time elevates the risk.
• Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) – A very rare infection caused by a freshwater parasite which, if left untreated, can increase the risk of bladder cancer.