Bladder cancer is caused by bladder cells growing out of control. As the number of cells grows, they form into a tumor. The types of bladder cancer:

Transitional cell or urothelial cell bladder tumors start in either the innermost lining of the bladder.
Adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, or small cell carcinomas start in other parts of the bladder.

Bladder cancer that has spread from the bladder to another part of the body is called metastatic cancer.

Risk Factors

Bladder cancer affects more men than women and is more common in those over the age of 65. The largest risk factor for developing bladder cancer is smoking (currently or in the past). Other risk factors include:

Family history.
Genetic mutations.
Occupational exposure to chemicals.
Previous exposure to certain chemotherapy medications.
Radiation to the pelvis.
Exposure to arsenic in well water.
Aristolochic (a Chinese herb).
Bladder infections caused by schistosoma haematobium.
Neurogenic bladder and the overuse of indwelling catheters.

Screening

There are no standard screening tests available.

Signs & Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

The most common sign of bladder cancer is hematuria (blood in the urine). Other symptoms are the result of irritation to the bladder wall caused by the tumor.

Increased frequency of urination.
Urgency.
Nocturia (waking up at night to urinate).
Pain or burning with urination.
Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.

Advanced cases of bladder cancer can be caused by the tumor blocking urine going in or out of the bladder. Advanced bladder cancer can cause:

Flank pain (pain in upper back, abdomen, or sides of these areas).
Infection.
Kidney Damage.

Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer

If you have blood in your urine, your healthcare provider will have your urine examined under a microscope. This can find bladder cancer cells. However, this test can miss a cancer diagnosis. You may also have:

X-ray of the upper urinary tract.
Ultrasound.
CT scan.
Intravenous pyelogram (dye is put into a vein, which travels through the kidneys and bladder and can be seen on an x-ray).
Cystoscopy with biopsy (camera placed through the urethra and into the bladder to see inside the bladder). A pathology report summarizes the results of the biopsy and is sent to your healthcare provider. This report is an important part of planning your treatment. You can request a copy of your report for your records.
If the biopsy result shows cancer, a second cystoscopy with a resection (also called a transurethral resection or TUR) is done to further evaluate or remove the tumor.

Staging Bladder Cancer

To guide treatment, bladder cancer is "staged." The stage is based on:

Size and location of the tumor.
Whether cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.
Whether cancer cells are found in other areas of the body.

Stages range from stage 0 to stage IV. The stage and type of bladder cancer will help determine a treatment plan.

Treatment

Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the type of bladder cancer you have and the stage. Treatments can include:

Surgery:
- Transurethral Resection of the Bladder - removal of the bladder through the urethra.
- Cystectomy - removal of part or all of the bladder.
Chemotherapy:
- Intravesicular - medication is given directly into the bladder.
- Systemic - medication is given into a vein and goes throughout the whole body.
Radiation is the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are the use of certain medications to kill cancer cells.
Bladder preservation therapy is the use of surgery to remove the cancer from one area of the body along with radiation and/or chemotherapy.

For patients with advanced or metastatic disease who can not receive chemotherapy, immunotherapy may be a treatment option. There are many options that can be used to treat muscle invading bladder cancer and each case is unique. Speak to your provider about which course of treatment is right for you.

This article is a basic guide to bladder cancer. You can learn more about bladder cancer and treatment by using the links below.

Bladder Cancer: Staging and Treatment

Surgical Procedure: Surgery and Staging for Bladder Cancer

Life with Urinary Diversion and Urostomy