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Squamous cells is a skin cancer which can effect hollow organs in the body. I have here included part of an article which may have some answers to your questions. Good luck to your brother, He will be added into my prayers... * Squamous cell carcinoma: These cancers originate from the thin, flat cells that typically form as a result of bladder inflammation or irritation that has taken place for many months or years.

* Adenocarcinoma: These cancers form from cells that make up glands. Glands are specialized structures that produce and release fluids such as mucus.

* In the United States, urothelial carcinomas account for more than 90% of all bladder cancers. Squamous cell carcinomas make up 3%-8%, and adenocarcinomas make up 1%-2%.

Only transitional cells normally line the rest of the urinary tract. The kidneys, the ureters (narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder, and the urethra are lined with these cells.

* However, these three types of cancer can develop anywhere in the urinary tract.

* If abnormal cells are found anywhere in the urinary tract, a search for other areas of abnormal cells is warranted. For example, if cancerous cells are found in the bladder, an evaluation of the kidneys and ureters is essential.

Bladder cancers are classified (staged) by how deeply they invade into the bladder wall, which has several layers. Many physicians subdivide bladder cancer into superficial and invasive disease. Superficial bladder cancer is limited to the innermost linings of the bladder (known as the mucosa and lamina propria). Invasive bladder cancer has at least penetrated the muscular layer of the bladder wall.

* Nearly all adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are invasive. Thus, by the time these cancers are detected, they have usually already invaded the bladder wall.
Your brother is possibly looking up to chemo therapy as next step and check the whole urinary system for more cells. He should definitely go for a second opinion and look for somebody who has a very good reputation before he makes any decisions for treatment.

Hi,
Thank you for the prayers! You can never have too many of those. And thank you for the info. I figured chemo as much,there probably will not be a second opinion. My brother is with the Veteran's hospital. He is lucky to have that. There is no other insurance, but I must say he seems to be comfortable with the care he is receiving. I only know one other person with bladder cancer and in addition to what I have read, it seems to me if you have to have cancer, bladder cancer is the one to have. Not trying to be cavalier, but it just seems this way. I am definitely praying for my brother too! Maybe, we are both in denial, but I think that he will be fine. I am just trying to make him think in the positive and why I am looking for positive stories. You are the first person to answer, so I was wondering if I was being a tad too "positive". Thanks for your help!

Get him the book "The Cancer Conqueror" from Greg Anderson. Also my diagnosis is not too bad (for now) I have changed my life in many areas. Food wise I am almost a Vegan now and I have dropped my Cholesterol level from a dangerous 260 to 170 in 4 month.I gave up all meat, dairy and I am low on sweets, salt, high on herbs, veggie juices (freshly pressed).For his neckpain I suggest Yoga. My back was so bad, I could hardly get in and out of the car. My shoulder was messed up from body building and I could hardly move my arm. I refused surgery and choose Yoga. There's no pain in my body anymore, nowhere>>>>>>but it's all in the head first. A positive outlook is mandatory for recovery and one has to stay with it the rest of his life, because the monster Mr.C is always lurking around. I hope your brother will fight and take it on...if I can be of help anyway, just write, I'll stay on this site. Lot's of good info and exchange>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hi,
I will check out the book. He had the growth removed Mon, Jan 2. Spoke with him that evening on the phone and he sounded surprisingly upbeat. They are still waiting for the biopsy, week to 10 days, but I guess it looked good from the surgical standpoint. He does treat himself better than in years past. Thanks for talking. I appreciate it more than you know!

Good luck, Margie. Hope everything works out for him. I am off to Europe tomorrow morning and stay for 3 weeks, a new granddaughter's baptism and some vacation in Italy. Talk to you again............

Got back from Europe sound and safe. Had a good time. My youngest daughter has skin cancer and had surgery on Tuesday, We dont know yet the grade or how dangerous the cancer is. May find out today. She is 34. Too young to develop cancer. It's just everywhere I look. Nobody knows whats going on the world, but I am somehow convinced it is a combination of what we eat, breath and the stress we put on ourselves.I hope your brother keeps his spirit up and beats whatever comes. Jurgen

Glad to hear Europe was good and you are safe. They removed the growth and it was not as bad as they thought. He is very happy and moving forward. I am sorry to hear about your daughter. I am constantly preaching to my students(7th grade) to use sunscreen. Some do listen, others, I have to scare them a little. But I agree so much is what we eat, breathe and stress over. We just have to keep trying. I wil pray for your daughter. Margie

School has been in session for about a month. Just found out my brother is bleeding again and he has a scope this week. June was positive, but they thought they got it all. If it is bleeding, is it more aggressive? He has had the diagnosis since dec 07 and he has yet to have chemo. Just knew someone who passed last weekend due to bladder cancer. Just an acquaintance, but sad none the less. He had it for 15 years and it became more aggressive the past couple of years. My brother had a bit of delayed diagnosis since the summer before he had bleeding that they kept dismissing as stones. He never had health coverage and he finally registered with the Vets hospital having served back in 1979. Thankfully, he has that at least. They have been good to him. Thanks for letting me vent. And any info would be helpful. Jurgen hope your daughter is doing well.