Interstitial cystitis symptoms and bladder cancer: Is there a connection?

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the lining of the bladder becomes irritated for no obvious reason and stays that way. This inflammation causes some people to feel a near-constant sense of pain or discomfort, which is why it is also known as bladder pain syndrome. 

But is there a connection between interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer? Does having interstitial cystitis increase your odds of developing cancer? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more. 

What causes interstitial cystitis?

Nobody really knows. Some doctors suspect it has an autoimmune component. Others have implicated nerve damage or allergic reactions, but no one has been able to prove anything yet.  

Inflammation of the bladder can have many different causes, including infection. It is also a known side effect of radiation therapy in cancer patients. Interstitial cystitis is diagnosed after ruling out other conditions based on symptoms.   

How is interstitial cystitis treated? 

We don’t typically treat interstitial cystitis here at MD Anderson. If a patient develops symptoms while under our care, we usually refer them to a local urologist. Possible treatments include: 

• Oral pain relievers 
• Anti-inflammatory drugs 
• Anti-spasmodic medications 
• Intravesical therapies, in which medications are applied directly to the bladder 
• Anti-anxiety medications 

Some urologists may try a procedure called hydrodistension, in which the bladder is gently stretched out with fluid while the patient is under anesthesia. This may temporarily relieve their symptoms, though its mechanism isn’t fully understood. 

A few urologists have made this condition their niche practice, which is invaluable given how challenging it can be to manage.  

What triggers interstitial cystitis flare-ups?  

There’s a long list of possible triggers, but not all of them apply to everyone. Generally, anything that causes inflammation can make interstitial cystitis worse. So, it’s best to avoid whatever you’ve identified as your triggers, whether that’s caffeine or something else. Sufferers are also counseled to:  

• manage their stress
• exercise
• improve their sleeping habits

How is interstitial cystitis connected to bladder cancer? Does it increase your risk of cancer? 

This is a common misconception. There is no proven connection between interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer.   

Chronic inflammation of the bladder due to other causes — such as recurrent infections or specific rare conditions like cystitis glandularis — has been associated with a slightly increased risk of bladder cancer. But interstitial cystitis itself has not been proven to increase bladder cancer risk. The two are not connected. 

Do the symptoms of bladder cancer differ from those of interstitial cystitis?

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is hematuria, or blood in the urine. But there can be some overlap between the symptoms of bladder cancer, interstitial cystitis and even urinary tract infections. 

The symptoms most associated with interstitial cystitis are:  

• Pain when urinating 
• A sense of urgency 
• Frequent urination  
• Pain or pressure in the bladder area 
• A noticeable worsening of symptoms as the bladder fills 
• Sensitivity to certain triggers, such as caffeinated drinks or spicy foods  

Can drinking lots of water help reduce the symptoms of interstitial cystitis? 

Keeping the body hydrated and the bladder flushed is a good practice in general. That can reduce the concentration of possible irritants. But it’s not specific to interstitial cystitis.  

Does interstitial cystitis ever go away on its own?

The symptoms of interstitial cystitis often wax and wane and can sometimes go away on their own. But this is usually when the inciting factors are no longer present. 

Ashish Kamat, M.D., is a surgeon who specializes in treating urologic cancers.

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