What Causes Anemia Inspite Of Having Bladder Tumor And Kidney Stones?

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 5 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband was hospitalized several weeks ago with severe anemia. His kidneys are "loaded" with stones, and while giving his various tests they found a suspicious tumor in his bladder. He was given several blood units, and a by-pass was inserted into his kidney. His bladder surgery is scheduled for the 25th of this month. He was upbeat and energetic the first several weeks he was home - now he is suddenly weak, pale, and listless. Is this to be expected? What should we do?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer: All the symptoms are due to Anaemia. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for your query,based on the facts that you have posted it appears that your husband has severe anaemia due to Bladder tumour and stones in both the kidneys. I shall be happy if you can post me his Ultrasound,CT. Scan and blood reports to report and details to help me in making precise comments on his problem. 1) Does his bladder tumour benign or Malignant (Cancer)? 2) Does his renal function parameters are within normal limits? The weakness, pale and loss of energy are due to anaemia secondary to bladder tumour. Please do write again .I shall be happy to help you on hearing from you .please feel free to ask if you have more questions , I shall try to address the same. Thanks and Regards. Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (8 minutes later)

I don't have access to those reports - but I do know that the tumor is approximately 4 cm in size, located near a ureter. It has not been biopsied - they will do that, apparently, after the surgery to remove it. Is it normal that the blood units given would not be effective after several weeks?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Blood will help to raise the Haemoglobin levels. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for follow up.Only the size of the tumour is not sufficient to make any comments. However looking at severe anaemia it looks to be malignant tumour which can be confirmed only after biopsy report . Please go ahead and follow the instruction and course of action planned by of your Oncologist . Thanks and Regards, Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (43 minutes later)

Would it be expected that his anemia symptoms would appear only several weeks after he was given units of blood?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: These symptoms are due to malignant tumour. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for follow up. These symptoms are due to part of the probable malignant tumour in the bladder and anaemia Thanks and Regards. Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar