Health Link

Healthy living after treatment of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer

Neurogenic Bladder after Cancer Treatment
Certain types of cancer and certain cancer treatments can cause damage to the urinary bladder. The information in thisHealth Link will help you to recognize the signs and symptoms of a neurogenic bladder.
What is the urinary bladder?
The urinary bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine. It is located behind the pubicbone. The kidneys filter the blood and make urine, which enters the bladder throughtwo tubes called “ureters.” Urine leaves the bladder through another tube, the urethra.
What are the risk factors for neurogenic bladder?
•Tumors involving the bladder, prostate, pelvis, or spine•

Radiation therapy to these areas•

Surgery to these areas

What is a neurogenic bladder?
A neurogenic bladder is abnormal function of the bladder caused by damage to the nerves that control the bladder’sability to fill, store and empty urine. Abnormal bladder function can cause the bladder to be underactive (not emptying
completely) or overactive (emptying too frequently or quickly). People with neurogenic bladders also have a higher riskof urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney damage.
What are the symptoms of a neurogenic bladder?
There may be a sudden urge to urinate or the need to urinate frequently. There may also be dribbling during urination,straining to urinate, or the inability to urinate.
Who is at risk of a neurogenic bladder?
People who have had tumors involving the bladder, prostate, pelvis, or spine are at risk of developing neurogenicbladder. Also, people who had surgery or radiation in these areas may be at risk.
How is a neurogenic bladder diagnosed?
If a neurogenic bladder is suspected, an evaluation should be done by a urologist. A urologist is a physician whospecializes in disorders of the urinary tract. The urologist will order tests to determine how well the bladder is able tostore and empty urine, such as a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) or bladder cystometry.
What can I do if I have a neurogenic bladder?
Treatment of neurogenic bladder is based on your individual needs. Medications may be useful for an overactivebladder or for a bladder that fails to store urine properly. Surgery to enlarge the size of the bladder may be needed if
the medications are not successful.
Removal of urine by insertion of a small, clean tube in the urethra several times a day (intermittent catheterization)
may be necessary if you cannot completely empty your bladder. This helps prevent high pressure in the bladder thatinterferes with flow of urine from the ureters and kidneys.

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Health Link

Healthy living after treatment of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer

When should I call my healthcare provider?
Call your healthcare provider if you are awakened more than usual during the night to urinate, if leakage of urine occurs,
any time fever or pain is present, or if blood is seen in the urine.
Written by Patricia Shearer, MD, MS, Emory Healthcare, Johns Creek, GA; Michael L. Ritchey, MD, Phoenix Childrens Hospital,Phoenix, AZ; Fernando A. Ferrer, MD, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha, Omaha, NE; and Sheri L. Spunt, MD, Lucile
Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
Reviewed by Linda Rivard, RN, BSN, CPON; Kayla L. Foster, MD, MPH; and Christine Yun, MSN, PNP, CPON.

Additional health information for childhood cancer survivors is available atwww.survivorshipguidelines.org
Note: Throughout this Health Links series, the term “childhood cancer” is used to designate pediatric cancers that may occur during childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.
Health Links are designed to provide health information for survivors of pediatric cancer, regardless of whether the cancer occurred during childhood, adolescence, or young
adulthood.
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Introduction to Late Effects Guidelines and Health Links: The Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers and accompanying Health Links
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