Surgical treatment of bladder leukoplakia in Kharkov

Leukoplakia is a chronic bladder disease characterized by partial replacement of the normal transitional uroepithelium (mucous membrane covering the inner walls of bladder) with a tessellated epithelium. Over time, the pathologically altered areas of the mucous membrane become covered with horny scales and cease to fulfill their function - to protect the bladder from the effects of aggressive urine components and the penetration of pathogens. Infectious lesions of the urothelium cause chronic inflammation in the bladder and urinary disorders.

Leukoplakia of bladder is diagnosed much more often in women than in men due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of their urethra. In women, it is shorter and wider, and is located near the anus, from where germs can enter it and cause infection.

Leukoplakia leads to a deterioration in the quality of person’s life and, if treatment is not timely, threatens the development of complications. The severe consequences of bladder leukoplakia include urinary incontinence and renal failure. In addition, squamous epithelial cells replacing normal uroepithelium can eventually degenerate into a cancerous tumor (malignant leukoplakia). Therefore, it is important to consult urologist at the first symptoms of the disease. Bladder leukoplakia is curable - modern surgical techniques allow the patient to quickly return to normal life.

Causes of bladder leukoplakia development

The main cause of the bladder leukoplakia development is penetration of infection into the organ. Infection contamination occurs predominantly upwards, when microorganisms enter the bladder from external genital organs. Leukoplakia of bladder is caused by sexually transmitted infections - chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes virus, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and mycoplasmosis.

In case of downward infection contamination, bacteria enter the bladder with a flow of lymph or blood from the kidneys, intestines, uterus or ovaries. In this case, the causative agents of infection are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, etc.

Factors increasing the risk of developing bladder leukoplakia include:

• foci of infection in the body (caries, sinusitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc.);
• unprotected sex;
• hormone imbalance (especially associated with the onset of menopause);
• endocrine diseases;
• anomalies in the structure of the genitourinary system organs;
• using an intrauterine device for longer than the prescribed period;
• frequent hypothermia;
• stresses.

Bladder leukoplakia symptoms

The most common symptoms of bladder leukoplakia include:

• pulling or dull pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies as the bladder fills;
• frequent and strong urge to use the toilet, especially at night;
• intermittent stream during urination;
• feeling of incomplete bladder emptying;
• cramps and pain after urination;
• increased fatigability, weakness.

It often happens that such symptoms of bladder leukoplakia are mistaken by patients for manifestations of cystitis and they do not go to see doctor trying self-medicating with antibiotics. Self-medication can be harmful to health and lead to the development of disease complications, therefore if pain in the lower abdomen and urinary disorders appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. This also includes the treatment of bladder leukoplakia with folk remedies without the proven clinical efficacy against infectious agents.

During the visit to urologist the doctor will examine the patient and refer him/her for additional tests to determine the cause of the disease, make a diagnosis and choose a treatment regimen. To diagnose leukoplakia of the bladder, a patient can be referred to:

• blood tests (bacteriological, complete, routine);
• Nechiporenko urine test;
• tests for sexually transmitted infections (STI);
• ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• biopsy of bladder walls.

Bladder leukoplakia treatment methods

There are two methods of treating bladder leukoplakia: medical and surgical. The selection of the method of therapy depends on the stage of the disease and the prevalence of the pathological process. Drug therapy is effective in the early stage of leukoplakia, with minor lesions of the bladder mucosa.

In other cases, surgical treatment is indicated - transurethral resection (TUR) of the bladder. This minimally invasive endoscopic operation is performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The main advantages of TUR are high information content (the doctor can examine the mucous membrane of the bladder under multiple magnification and accurately determine the boundaries of the affected tissues), the absence of incisions and the minimum recovery period.

To carry out transurethral resection of the bladder, endoscopic equipment is used - a cystoscope (a thin long probe equipped with a mini-video camera, a light source and a coagulator). After anesthesia (local or intravenous), the cystoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. The surgeon examines the walls of the organ, and then “cuts out” the modified horny tissue with electric coagulator, without affecting healthy mucosa. Under the influence of high temperature, blood vessels are instantly “sealed”, so the risk of bleeding and infection overlay is mitigated. After healing, healthy epithelium grows at the site of the removed affected tissue.

The operation takes from 30 minutes to an hour. The removed tissue is sent for histological examination to determine whether it is benign or malignant. After surgery for the treatment of bladder leukoplakia, the patient stays in the ward under the supervision of the medical staff (from several hours to a day), and then is discharged from the hospital.

Take care of your health and make appointment for a consultation by urologist regarding the surgical treatment of bladder leukoplakia at the medical center “ON Clinic Kharkov”. Call the specified phone number or leave a request on the website.