Q. Can bladder cancer cause blood clots?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Yes, bladder cancer can cause blood clots. This is because bladder cancer cells release substances called cytokines that can trigger blood clotting. Cytokines are proteins that help to create an inflammatory response in the body and can increase the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a form of blood clot formation. DVT’s occur when a clot forms in the veins within your legs or sometimes even in other parts of your body like your arms or lungs.
When this happens, it restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood out of those areas and causes symptoms like swelling, tenderness, pain, heat around the affected area, redness skin discoloration and more. People with advanced stages of bladder cancers also have higher levels of these cytokines released into their bloodstream than those with earlier stages which increases their likelihood for clots forming around organs such as kidneys for example.
Certain treatments used to treat bladder cancer can also increase this risk further due to chemotherapy drugs causing damage by slowing down certain mechanisms needed for coagulation pathways inside our bodies leading to increased chances for thrombus formation; this includes radiation therapy as well if done near sensitive organs containing fats or tissue prone for buildup such as cardiac structures near veins or artery walls that are essential for proper circulation necessary avoiding any type of DVT situation from occurring internally without any recognizable warning signs until its too late.
It's very important to seek help right away if you experience any type symptoms related to blood clots since they could be deadly if left untreated so please consult with your physician immediately should anything seem out-of-the-ordinary before it progresses further complications!