What does TCC mean in DISEASES

Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) is a type of bladder cancer that affects the transitional cells, which are the cells located in the lining of the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis. It is also known as urothelial cell carcinoma.

Symptoms of TCC include blood in the urine, painful urination, frequent urination, feeling an urgent need to urinate, and pain in the lower back or abdomen. It's important to visit your doctor for any unusual symptoms so that any cancer can be identified as early as possible.

Your doctor may diagnose TCC with a variety of tests such as urine tests to check for abnormal cells in the urine sample, imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a cystoscopy. During a cystoscopy, your doctor will insert a small tube with a light and camera into the urethra to examine your bladder walls.

Treatments for TCC may include surgery to remove part or all of your bladder; chemotherapy; radiation therapy; immunotherapy; and targeted therapy, which uses drugs that target specific types of cancer cells. The most suitable treatment will depend on your individual case and will be discussed by your medical team.

Side effects vary depending on the type of treatment used but can include nausea, fatigue, hair loss, low red blood cell count (anemia), mouth sores (mucositis), Diarrhea or constipation changes in skin texture and color. Your doctor will discuss these side effects with you during your consultation and provide advice on how to manage them during treatment.

Yes it is possible for TCC to return after successful treatment. Your doctor will monitor you closely following successful treatment with regular check-ups and urinary cytology test results over time to identify any signs that suggest that cancer may have returned or spread elsewhere in the body.

Yes there are many lifestyle changes that may reduce your risk including avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol excessively as they can increase inflammation within the bladder lining potentially leading to an increased risk of TCC development. Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is also recommended along with regular physical activity such as walking or cycling where possible.

Survival rates vary greatly depending upon each case individually but it has been reported that patients treated for localized disease have 5 year survival rates up to 90%. However prognosis worsens significantly if diagnosis is delayed until tumor spreads outside local tissue.

Yes lifestyle factors such as obesity or excessive smoking can increase complications from this condition due to reduced response rates from some treatments along with increasing instances of spread beyond local tissue which could lead to poorer outcomes.