Bladder Cancer

If you feel that a medical professional has misdiagnosed your cancer, you could be entitled to compensation. The team at Oakwood Solicitors will be able to give you free advice on the prospects of your case and whether you would be eligible to make a claim.

You have three years from the misdiagnosis to pursue a case, so do not delay.

Given the complexities involved in pursuing Clinical Negligence claims, they can often take 18-24 months to conclude and longer if Court proceedings have to be issued.

Our investigations start by obtaining all relevant records and protocols before approaching independent medical experts for their opinion. We will provide you with regular updates on the progress of your case to ensure that you are kept up to speed.

It is often difficult to value clinical negligence claims at their outset given the complexities involved however we will pursue two forms of compensation for you:

The majority of Clinical Negligence cases are funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, more commonly known as a ‘no-win, no fee’ agreement. This means that there will be nothing to pay up front and nothing to pay if the claim has been lost.

If you are successful in your claim, a deduction of 25% of damages will be taken to cover the success fee and the shortfall in legal fees.

It may also be the case that an After The Event (ATE) insurance policy will be obtained to cover the costs of expensive medical reports and investigations. If an ATE insurance policy has to be obtained, the cost of the same will be discussed with you at the appropriate point.

The cost of the ATE insurance policy is again taken from your damages and only payable if you are successful with your claim.

We have a dedicated team of solicitors and paralegals who have many years’ experience between them in running cases of this nature. They are highly-trained to deal with all aspects of Clinical Negligence.

We want to ensure that clients are not overwhelmed by legal jargon, medical terms they don’t understand, and to allow the claims procedure to be as transparent as possible.

For example cases and settlements that we’ve successfully handled, read this article on our website.

The bladder is an organ in the body that gathers urine from the kidney and stores it there until the body ejects or ‘wees’ it out.

Tumours can form in the lining of the bladder and they then travel to the bladder muscle. There are two kinds:

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer – This is the most common cancer and remains inside the lining of the bladder wall. It is often not life-threatening.

Muscle invasive bladder cancer – This is where the cancer spreads into the surrounding muscles and is far more serious. It can pass into the lymphatic system and then travel to other organs in the body. This is also known as metastatic bladder cancer.

The most common sign is blood in the urine. Bladder cancer is not the only reason for blood in the urine and it is therefore important to get a diagnosis rapidly.

Other symptoms may include:

• Increased urination.
• Urge to urinate.
• Burning sensation when urinating.

If the cancer has progressed, other symptoms may be present such as:

• Pelvic pain
• Bone pain
• Weight loss
• Swollen legs

The exact cause of bladder cancer is not fully appreciated. Some explanations of the cause are:

• Smoking – The chemicals from the tobacco pass into the bloodstream and then are passed into the urine. As the urine is stored in the bladder it damages the cells. It causes a third of all cases.
• Exposure to industrial workplace chemicals – From chemicals such as aniline dyes, Xenylamine and benzidone. Those people affected are in industry and manufacturing jobs, including:
  • Dyes
  • Textiles
  • Paints
  • Rubbers
  • Leather tanning
  • Plastics

(Although the laws have changed in these industries it can still take over 30 years before the cancers display their symptoms.)

• Previous cancer treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Long term bladder stones.
• Diabetes.

Bladder cancer can be prevented by stopping smoking, limiting alcohol and/or adopting a healthy lifestyle.

• GP – if you discover blood in your urine the first point of call is to see your GP. Blood tests, urine tests and a physical examination will be carried out. If there are concerns then you will be referred.
• Specialist – They will carry out a cystoscopy. A thin tube attached to a camera and a light are inserted up the urethra into the bladder. It will allow the specialist to see if there are any changes.
• TURBT – Transurethral resection of a bladder tumour. If a tumour is discovered, this procedure will remove part of the tumour and allow it to be tested.
• MRI or CT scans – They allow detailed images of the inside of the body and whether a tumour is present.

The specialists will then use the above tests to grade the cancer. The lower grade the easier it is to treat, the higher the grade the harder it is to sort.

Treatment will depend on how advanced the cancer is and whether it is non muscle or muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Non-muscle-invasive cancer – Treatment will depend on the size and grade of the cancer. It also depends on whether the cancer has spread and if it will return.

• If the risk is low it will be treated with TURBT and chemotherapy.
• If the risk is high then a longer cause of chemotherapy will be needed.

Another treatment called BCG or Bacilus Calmette Guerin can be used. It is passed into the bladder and then left for two hours before being removed. Sometimes the entire bladder may need to be removed.

Muscle Invasive cancer – treatment will depend on how far the cancer has spread.

• Removal of the bladder.
• Radiotherapy with a radiosensitiser. This kind of radiotherapy will be focused on the bladder but normal cells can get destroyed.
• Palliative Care – If the cancer is too advanced then palliative care will be given to improve the quality of life.
• Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can often have side effects:

• Narrowing of the vagina.
• Infertility.
• Erectile dysfunction.
• Incontinence.

Some people who have surgery to remove the bladder require an external bag that will then need to be drained regularly.