Bladder Cancer

 

What is bladder cancer?

Bladder cancer is the rapid growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the bladder. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States.¹ One or more bladder cancers may develop at the same time in different parts of the bladder.

Bladder cancer is usually curable if it is diagnosed while the cancer is still contained in the bladder. More than 80% of bladder cancers are diagnosed at this early stage.^{2, 3}

The bladder is the part of your urinary tract that stores urine. See an illustration of the female urinary system or male urinary system.

What causes bladder cancer?

The cause of bladder cancer is not known. However, it is 3 times more likely to develop in smokers than in nonsmokers, and experts believe that smoking causes 50% to 60% of bladder cancer in men and 25% of bladder cancer in women.^{1, 4}

The most common symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, pain during urination, urinating small amounts frequently, or frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), though these symptoms may also be caused by other urinary conditions.

What increases your risk of developing bladder cancer?

Tobacco use is the main risk factor for bladder cancer. Other risk factors include:^{1, 5}

• Being older than 40.
• Being male. Men are 4 times more likely than women to develop bladder cancer.
• Work exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, such as those used in leather, wood, rubber, and textile industries.
• Schistosomiasis, which is an infection with the parasite Schistosoma haematobium. This condition is sometimes found in developing countries and rarely occurs in the United States.

How is bladder cancer diagnosed?

Bladder cancer is diagnosed by:

• Your medical history and a physical exam, including a vaginal or rectal exam.
• Urine tests, such as a urinalysis to determine the presence of blood and other abnormal cells.
• Medical procedures, such as an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), an ultrasound, a CT scan, or a cystoscopy to determine whether an abnormal mass is present in or around the bladder. A cystoscopy is the best test for confirming bladder cancer.

How is it treated?

The treatment of bladder cancer depends on how large the cancer is and how far it has spread. Bladder cancer is usually curable if it is diagnosed while the cancer is still contained in the bladder, and more than 80% of bladder cancers are diagnosed at this early stage.^{2, 3}

Treatment options include surgery to remove the cancer, medications (chemotherapy), radiation therapy, or substances to boost or restore your body’s immune system (biological therapy).

Most cancers can be treated effectively without removing the entire bladder. This type of cancer commonly comes back after it has been treated, so an important part of treatment follow-up is to have regular cytoscopic examinations. This allows new tumors to be diagnosed while they are still small, contained on the surface of the bladder (superficial), and easily treated.