Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer begins in the cells of the bladder, a hollow muscular organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine.
Bladder cancer typically begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder. These cells are also found in the kidneys and the ureters, which are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Urothelial cancer can occur in the kidneys and ureters as well, but it’s much more common in the bladder.
Most bladder cancers are diagnosed early one when the condition is easily treatable. However, even early-stage bladder cancers can return after successful treatment. For this reason, patients with bladder cancer typically need follow-up tests for a few years after treatment to check for bladder cancer that may have returned.
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Back pain
Frequent urination
Painful urination
Blood in urine (hematuria), sometimes causing urine to appear bright red or cola colored
Types of Bladder Cancer
- Urothelial carcinoma: Previously called transitional cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma forms in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Urothelial cells, which line the inside of the ureters and the urethra, contract when the bladder is empty and expand when the bladder is full. Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer in the US.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Chronic irritation of the bladder caused by an infection or long-term use of a urinary catheter can lead to squamous cell carcinoma. This form of bladder cancer is rare in the U.S. Squamous cell carcinoma is more common in parts of the world where a certain parasitic infection (schistosomiasis) leads to bladder infections.
- Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma forms in the cells that make up mucus-secreting glands in the bladder. This form of bladder cancer is very rare.
Some patients are diagnosed with multiple types of bladder cancer.
Risk Factors for Bladder Cancer
The following factors may increase the risk of bladder cancer:
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes causes harmful chemicals to accumulate in the urine, leading to bladder cancer. These harmful chemicals may damage the lining of the bladder, increasing the risk of cancer.
- Age: Though bladder cancer can occur at any age, the risk is higher in adults older than 55.
- Being male: Men are more likely to develop bladder cancer than women.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: The kidneys help filter harmful chemicals from the bloodstream and move them into the bladder. Certain chemicals may increase the risk of bladder cancer risk, such as arsenic and chemicals used in the manufacture of rubber, dyes, textiles, leather, and paint products.
- Previous cancer treatment: Patients who have been treated with the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide are at increased risk of bladder cancer. Radiation treatments targeting the pelvis for a previous cancer also increases the risk of developing bladder cancer.
- Chronic bladder inflammation: Chronic or recurring urinary infections or inflammations (cystitis) may increase the risk of squamous cell bladder cancer. In some parts of the world, squamous cell carcinoma is linked to chronic bladder inflammation caused by parasitic infection.
- Personal or family history of cancer: A family history of bladder cancer and Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), increases the risk of cancer in the urinary system.