Bladder, Kidney, and Prostate Health in Plain Language

Finding out you have an elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level is a stressful experience. The first word that often comes to mind is "cancer." Let me assure you that most high PSA results are not caused by cancer. PSA is a marker of prostate activity and not just cancer. It can be triggered by inflammation, infection, or a naturally enlarging gland. Two of the most common "benign" (non-cancerous) causes are Prostatitis and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). 1. Prostatitis: The Inflamed Prostate Prostatitis is simply the inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. Unlike cancer, which is more common in older men, prostatitis can affect men of all ages. How it raises PSA: When the prostate is infected, the cells become irritated and "leak" significantly more PSA into your bloodstream. Acute Bacterial Prostatitis: This comes on suddenly with fever, chills, and a burning sensation when you pee. PSA levels can spike dramatically during an active...

 If you have recently had a blood test and your doctor mentioned your PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels, you likely have questions. Is a high PSA always cancer? What is "normal" for your age? PSA is a protein produced by the KLK3 gene in your prostate. While its biological job is to help with fertility, its medical job is to act as a "smoke detector" for your prostate health. What is the Prostate Gland? The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra—the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. The primary function of the prostate is to produce prostatic fluid. This fluid protects and nourishes sperm. PSA is an enzyme within this fluid that keeps semen liquid, allowing sperm to move efficiently. While most PSA stays in the prostate, a small amount naturally leaks into the bloodstream, where we can measure it with a simple blood test. What is a "Normal" PSA Level? There is no single "perfect...

You may consider the author’s book: Kidney Cancer in Plain Language: In Plain Language for Patients and Families (Link leads to a list of available retailers.)

Adenocarcinoma of the bladder is a rare form of bladder cancer. It develops from gland-like cells that produce mucus. These cells are not normally found in large numbers in a healthy bladder. However, when the bladder lining becomes irritated or inflamed over a long period, the cells can change and begin to resemble the cells found in glands. In some cases, these changes can eventually lead to cancer. Adenocarcinoma of the bladder accounts for only a small percentage of all bladder cancers. Because it is uncommon, many people have never heard of it until a diagnosis is made. It tends to grow more deeply into the bladder wall, which means it may be more aggressive than some of the more common bladder cancers. The most common early sign is blood in the urine. The urine may appear pink, red, or brown, or the blood may only be visible under a microscope. Other symptoms can include repeated bladder infections, frequent urination, urgency, pain during urination, or pelvic discomfort. These s...

Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rare type of bladder cancer. It develops from squamous cells, which are flat cells that can form in the bladder lining after long-term irritation or inflammation. These cells are not normally present in large numbers in a healthy bladder, but when the bladder experiences repeated irritation, infection, or chronic inflammation, the lining can change over time. In some cases, these changes can lead to cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for only a small percentage of bladder cancer cases. It tends to grow more deeply into the bladder wall than some other types of bladder cancer, which means it may be more aggressive. Because it often develops slowly over time, symptoms may not appear early, or they may be mistaken for other bladder conditions. One of the most common early signs is blood in the urine. The urine may look pink, red, or brown, or blood may only be detected during a urine test. Other symptoms can include pelvic discomfort, repe...

Small cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rare and aggressive type of bladder cancer. It accounts for only a small percentage of all bladder cancer cases. Unlike the more common types, such as urothelial carcinoma, small cell carcinoma develops from neuroendocrine cells. These cells are part of the body’s hormone and nerve signaling system. Because of the way these cancer cells grow and spread, this type of bladder cancer behaves differently and requires a specialized treatment approach. Small cell carcinoma often grows quickly and can spread beyond the bladder to lymph nodes or other parts of the body earlier than many other bladder cancer types. Because it develops rapidly, symptoms may appear suddenly and may be more noticeable. The most common early symptom is blood in the urine, which may be visible or detected only during a urine test. Some people may also experience urinary urgency, pelvic discomfort, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or pain if the cancer spreads. Diagnosis ofte...

Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer. It begins in the urothelial cells, which line the inside surface of the bladder. These cells are unique because they can stretch as the bladder fills with urine and return to their normal shape once it empties. Urothelial cells are also found in other parts of the urinary system, such as the ureters and the kidney pelvis, which means this type of cancer can occasionally occur in those areas as well. Most cases of bladder cancer are urothelial carcinoma. It can appear in different forms and behave in different ways. Some tumors grow only on the inner surface of the bladder and do not spread deeply. These are called non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinomas. Other tumors grow deeper into the muscle of the bladder wall. These are called muscle-invasive urothelial carcinomas and are more serious because they have a higher chance of spreading to nearby tissues or other parts of the body. One of the most common symptoms of uroth...