Other Cancers

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States, excluding certain skin cancers. The American Cancer Society in 2009 has estimated there will be 70,980 new cases of bladder cancer in the United States. It is estimated there will be 14,330 deaths from bladder cancer in 2009. Kidney cancer has a slightly lower incidence, with an estimated 57,760 new cases in the United States in 2009, but it will account for a similar number of deaths, approximately 12,980 in 2009.

Bladder and kidney tumors are grouped into several types by the way they appear under a microscope. In fact, it is not unusual for patients with bladder cancer to have a similar type of cancer in the lining of the kidneys, ureter, or urethra. This is why a complete evaluation of the urinary system is recommended to evaluate these patients. Like most cancers, these are most difficult to treat once they have spread to other parts of the body.

Early determination of how far the cancer has spread is key to selecting the most appropriate treatment. Although PET scans are being used as part of research projects in bladder cancer, it is not yet certain how valuable they are in helping to manage the care of patients with bladder cancer.

DIAGNOSIS AND EARLY DETECTION
Abnormalities in the bladder and kidneys may be detected through physical exam, imaging tests of bladder or kidney function, or by tests on your urine or blood. Most often by the time symptoms become apparent, the cancer is beyond its earliest stage. PET scanning may help by determining the stage of the cancer immediately after it is found so that the most appropriate therapy can be given.

A PET scan can show where tumor cells are growing, which helps your doctor determine the best course of treatment.

A PET scan can accurately detect the cancer and see how far it may have spread. Call the PET centers nearest you for information about possibly being a candidate for a PET scan.

TREATMENT FOLLOW-UP and RECURRENCE
Your doctor will schedule you for routine follow-up visits, depending on the stage of the cancer. Your doctors may order follow up imaging tests or second look surgeries. If the cancer does return, it is important that additional treatment begin immediately.

PET is the most useful test that you can have when doctors are staging or re-staging your cancer because it is more accurate than CT or any other test.

Imaging with PET is also critical for monitoring if the cancer cells have returned and if treatment should be re-started. Before PET, it was extremely difficult to monitor patients to see if the cancer had come back. Earlier imaging tests might not see the cancer as sensitively as PET, which could result in a delay of further treatment.

Call the PET centers nearest you if you would like to discuss whether PET scanning might be helpful for you.

FIND THE SUPPORT YOU NEED
Several organizations provide information and support to patients and their families, including:

American Kidney Foundation

Kidney Cancer Association