DISCUSSION FORUMS DONATE NOW
  • English
  • Français
Bladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer CanadaBladder Cancer Canada
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Mission/Vision
    • Board Of Directors
    • Medical Advisory
      and Research Board
    • Sponsors & Partners
    • Financial Statements and Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • FACING
    BLADDER CANCER
    • Newly Diagnosed?
    • Canadian Patient Guidebooks
    • Dealing With Emotions
    • Get Support
    • Join a Discussion Forum
    • Videos
    • Webinar Recordings
    • Patient Resources
  • HELPFUL
    INFORMATION
    • Bladder Cancer Facts
    • See Red?
    • Symptoms
    • Bladder Cancer Basics
      • How The Body Works
      • Types of Bladder Cancer
      • Causes
      • Diagnosis
      • Staging and Grading
    • How will my cancer be treated?
      • Nonmuscle Invasive
      • Muscle Invasive
      • Bladder Preservation
      • Metastatic Bladder Cancer
    • Bladder Removal
      • Diversion Types
      • Common Issues
      • Chemotherapy
      • After Your Surgery
      • At Home
    • Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
    • Palliative Care
    • Doctor Resources
    • Glossary
    • Links
  • STORIES,
    NEWS & EVENTS
    • Latest News & Stories
    • Upcoming Meetings And Events
    • Newsletter Archive
  • RESEARCH and
    CLINICAL TRIALS
    • Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System
    • Clinical Trials
    • BCC Funded Research
    • BCC Research Grant
  • GET
    INVOLVED
    • Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer
    • Volunteer
    • Host A Fundraiser
    • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
  • DONATE NOW
    • General Donations
    • Honour & Memorial Donations
    • Join an Awareness Walk
    • Planned Giving
    • Employer Matching Gifts
    • Donate a Vehicle
    • Where Your Donations Go

Facing Bladder Cancer NEWLY DIAGNOSED?

UNDERSTANDING HOW THE BODY WORKS

Radical cystectomy is a big operation involving two body systems – the urinary and the intestinal systems. The more we understand about how the two systems work, the better our recovery will be. Here’s a brief description of these two vital systems.

THE URINARY SYSTEM

The body takes nutrients from food and changes the nutrients to energy. After the body takes the nutrition that it needs, waste products are left behind in the blood and in the bowel.

The urinary system removes the waste product called urea from the blood. Urea is made when foods containing protein (meats and some vegetables) are broken down in the body and carried in the blood to the kidneys.

Our two kidneys:

  • Remove liquid waste from the blood in the form of urine
  • Balance salts and other substances in the blood
  • Help regulate blood pressure
  • Make erythropoietin, a hormone that helps make red blood cells

Parts of the urinary system:

The kidneys remove urea from the blood through tiny filtering units called nephrons. Urea, water and other waste substances make the urine as they pass through the nephrons and down the renal tubules of the kidney.

  • The two ureters are narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Muscles in the ureter walls continually tighten and relax forcing urine downward, away from the kidneys. If urine backs up, or is allowed to stand still, it can lead to kidney infection, damage, or failure. About every 10 to 15 seconds, small amounts of urine are emptied into the bladder from the ureters.
  • The bladder is a triangle-shaped, hollow organ located in the lower abdomen. It is held in place by ligaments that are attached to other organs and the pelvic bones. The bladder’s muscle walls relax and expand to store urine, and contract and flatten to empty urine through the urethra.
  • Two, circular sphincter muscles help keep urine from leaking out of the body by closing tightly like a rubber band around the opening of the bladder.
  • Nerves in the bladder alert a person when it is time to urinate, or empty the bladder.
  • The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass outside the body. The brain signals the bladder muscles to tighten, which squeeze urine out of the bladder. At the same time, the brain signals the sphincter muscles to relax to let urine exit the bladder through the urethra. When all the signals occur in the correct order, normal urination occurs.

THE INTESTINAL SYSTEM

The intestines are a long, continuous tube running from the stomach to the opening where the stool leaves the body (anus). Most absorption of nutrients and water happen in the intestines, which include the small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.

The small intestine (small bowel) is about 20 feet long and about an inch in diameter. Its job is to absorb most of the nutrients from what we eat and drink. Velvety tissue lines the small intestine, which is divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

The large intestine (colon or large bowel) is about 5 feet long and about 3 inches in diameter, and creates formed stool, once the nutrients are absorbed. As stool enters the rectum, nerves there create the urge to have a bowel movement.

 

Click here to continue reading about bladder cancer definitions.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER

    *Indicates required fields



    GET IN TOUCH

    Address

    4936 Yonge Street
    Suite 1000
    Toronto, ON M2N 6S3

    Charitable Reg No.

    83612 6060 RR0001

    Phone
    1-866-674-8889
    Email & Media Contact

    info@bladdercancercanada.org

    SEND US A MESSAGE
    • Privacy Policy
    • Discussion Forum
    • Contact Us
    • Donate Now
    • ABOUT US
      • Our Mission/Vision
      • Board Of Directors
      • Medical Advisory
        and Research Board
      • Sponsors & Partners
      • Financial Statements and Annual Report
      • Contact Us
    • FACING
      BLADDER CANCER
      • Newly Diagnosed?
      • Canadian Patient Guidebooks
      • Dealing With Emotions
      • Get Support
      • Join a Discussion Forum
      • Videos
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Patient Resources
    • HELPFUL
      INFORMATION
      • Bladder Cancer Facts
      • See Red?
      • Symptoms
      • Bladder Cancer Basics
        • How The Body Works
        • Types of Bladder Cancer
        • Causes
        • Diagnosis
        • Staging and Grading
      • How will my cancer be treated?
        • Nonmuscle Invasive
        • Muscle Invasive
        • Bladder Preservation
        • Metastatic Bladder Cancer
      • Bladder Removal
        • Diversion Types
        • Common Issues
        • Chemotherapy
        • After Your Surgery
        • At Home
      • Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
      • Palliative Care
      • Doctor Resources
      • Glossary
      • Links
    • STORIES,
      NEWS & EVENTS
      • Latest News & Stories
      • Upcoming Meetings And Events
      • Newsletter Archive
    • RESEARCH and
      CLINICAL TRIALS
      • Canadian Bladder Cancer Information System
      • Clinical Trials
      • BCC Funded Research
      • BCC Research Grant
    • GET
      INVOLVED
      • Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer
      • Volunteer
      • Host A Fundraiser
      • Subscribe To Our Newsletter
    • DONATE NOW
      • General Donations
      • Honour & Memorial Donations
      • Join an Awareness Walk
      • Planned Giving
      • Employer Matching Gifts
      • Donate a Vehicle
      • Where Your Donations Go
    Bladder Cancer Canada

    ×

      Please, fill the form before download



      I agree to receive Bladder Cancer Canada's newsletter containing news and updates. You can withdraw your consent any time.

      ×