Miriam Hospital Uses New Technology To Diagnose, Treat Bladder Cancer
Friday, January 09, 2015
The Miriam Hospital is using a new minimally invasive technology that improves the ability for doctors to detect bladder cancer. Using blue-light cystoscopy, doctors can detect abnormal growths or suspicious areas. The procedure is performed at The Minimally Invasive Urology Institute (MIUI) at The Miriam Hospital, the only hospital in Rhode Island to offer the treatment.
“Rhode Island has one of the highest bladder cancer rates in the country, but research shows that blue-light cystoscopy decreases the chances of both bladder cancer recurrence and progression among patients,” said Arthur Sampson, president of The Miriam Hospital. “Using this type of technology and providing this level of service to our patients reinforces our goal to provide comprehensive, high-quality urologic care through our Minimally Invasive Urology Institute.”
With blue-light cystoscopy, the patient is sedated and the physician enters the bladder, without making any incisions using a scope to closely inspect the lining of the bladder for signs of cancer. Other hard-to-see tumors that may be present become more visible under the blue-light technology.
Bladder cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and has the highest recurrence rate of any form of cancer. It is the fifth most common cancer in Rhode Island.
“I strongly urge patients to see their doctor immediately if they experience blood in their urine or other changes in urination. They should not delay – thinking the symptoms may be related to another disease,” said Dragan Golijanin, M.D., director of genitourinary oncology at The Miriam and Rhode Island hospitals and co-director of the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute at The Miriam. “By being able to detect more tumors of the bladder with blue-light cystoscopy, we’re able to significantly improve disease management because there is less risk of tumors being missed during the procedure.”
The most common risk factors for bladder cancer include smoking, chemical exposure, and old age.
According to a hospital spokesperson, “The Minimally Invasive Institute at The Miriam Hospital provides full comprehensive services and by using this new technology, it is the hospital’s hope to identify more cases of bladder cancer early and improve treatments and outcomes to benefit our patients.”
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