Bladder Cancer

This is a cancer type that starts in the bladder cells, and it is called bladder cancer. A muscular organ that holds the urine and is located in the lower abdomen (belly) is called the bladder. In most cases, bladder cancer begins in the urothelial cells (specific cells inside of the bladder). However, these cells are also found in the kidneys and ureters (the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys). While urothelial cancer may start in the kidneys and ureters, it mostly occurs in the bladder.

Commonly, most bladder cancers are diagnosed in their early stages, which increases the chances of curing it. In any case, bladder cancer may return even after successful treatment. That’s why people who have had bladder cancer should have regular appointments with their healthcare professionals.

Symptoms

Usually, people with bladder cancer experience the following symptoms. For example:

Hematuria (blood in the urine) that causes the urine to appear bright red or cola-colored
Painful and frequent urination
Back and pelvic pain
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Swelling
Weight loss
Breathing problems (sometimes)

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, immediately contact your physician.

Causes

This cancer type appears when certain cells in the bladder develop DNA changes (mutations). DNA contains specific instructions that tell a cell when to grow, multiply, and die. However, cells with changes in their DNA receive different instructions that make them grow and multiply abnormally. When abnormal cells become too many, they form a mass called a tumor. These tumors can invade healthy tissues and destroy them. People who leave bladder cancer untreated may notice that the tumor breaks and spreads throughout the body (in such cases, it is called metastatic cancer).

Bladder Cancer Types

There are multiple cells in the bladder that may become cancerous. Therefore, doctors divide this cancer into several types according to the cells involved. Determining which bladder cancer type you experience may help make the best treatment for you. Check below for some types of bladder cancer:

Urothelial carcinoma – Previously, this cancer type was called transitional cell carcinoma, and it happens in bladder lining cells. However, these cells also can be found in other body parts such as ureters. Furthermore, in the U.S., urothelial carcinoma is the most common bladder cancer type.
Squamous cell carcinoma – This form of bladder cancer is often associated with long-term infections of the bladder or prolonged use of a urinary catheter. It happens quite rarely in the U.S. but occurs more frequently in regions where parasitic infection (schistosomiasis) is common.
Adenocarcinoma – This bladder cancer type starts in specific cells that make up mucus-secreting glands in the bladder. However, this cancer type occurs very rarely.

This article does not contain all possible bladder cancer types because there are those that involve multiple cells.

Risk Factors

Physicians identified some factors that may increase your risk of developing bladder cancer. Check below for some examples:

Tobacco products – Smokers are at increased risk of developing bladder cancer because of chemicals that may remain and accumulate in the urine. It occurs because these chemicals may cause damage to the bladder lining.
Age – While older people are more likely to develop bladder cancer, it may happen at any age as well.
Sex – Males are more prone to develop this cancer type than women.
Exposure to chemicals – These include arsenic, some chemicals used in the dyes manufacture, rubber, leather, textiles, and paint products. It is thought that when these chemicals enter the bloodstream and are then filtered by the kidneys, they move to the bladder the risk of developing cancer increases.
Cancer treatments – Those who have had treatments for other cancers are at increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
Chronic bladder inflammation – An increased risk of developing bladder cancer also has people with recurrent or chronic urinary infections or inflammations (cystitis). The risk of this cancer type also increases with the long-term use of urinary catheters. Additionally, in some regions of the world, squamous cell carcinoma is linked with chronic inflammation of the bladder caused by a parasitic infection (schistosomiasis).
Family history of cancer – If you or a family member have had bladder cancer, your risk of developing it increases. The risk of urinary system cancer also increases in people with Lynch syndrome (also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC).

How to Prevent Bladder Cancer?

There are no sure ways to prevent this cancer type, but the following tips may help reduce the risk of developing it. Examples include:

Quit smoking because it significantly increases the risk of developing bladder cancer. If you face problems with smoking cessation, it is advised to consult with your healthcare professional.
Avoid prolonged exposure to certain chemicals by following safety instructions.
Add in your diet multiple fresh fruits and vegetables.

Diagnosis

The following tests and procedures are usually used to diagnose bladder cancer. For example:

Cystoscopy – This is a test in which doctors use a scope to examine the bladder for disease signs.
Biopsy – This test involves the removal of a small sample of the affected tissue in the bladder and testing it in the laboratory. The sample of the tissue is usually extracted during cystoscopy. In some cases, this procedure is called transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT).
Urine cytology – This test involves an examination of a urine sample for cancer cells.
Imaging tests – Healthcare providers often perform a CT (computerized tomography) urogram or retrograde pyelogram to examine multiple structures of the urinary system. During imaging tests, doctors may identify the location and size of the tumor.

Additionally, physicians may perform additional tests to determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. These include additional CT, MRI, and PET scans, X-rays, and bone scans.

Bladder Cancer Grade

After staging the cancer, it is classified based on how the cancer cells appear on the microscope. It is called the grade of the cancer. For example:

Low-grade bladder cancer – In such cases, cancer cells grow slowly and are less likely to spread to other tissues and organs.
High-grade bladder cancer – This grade of bladder cancer is more aggressive compared to low-grade bladder cancer, and it may spread to the muscle tissue of the bladder and other organs and tissues as well.

Treatment

The treatment for people with bladder cancer is different because it depends on multiple factors. For example type, severity, and grade of the cancer, your age, existing health problems, your preferences, and others. Check below for the most common treatments used in people with bladder cancer:

Surgery (this treatment is used to remove cancerous cells from inside the bladder)
Chemotherapy in the bladder (also called intravesical chemotherapy) – This treatment involves intravenous medicines injected directly into the bladder. Doctors usually recommend this treatment option for people with advanced-stage cancer or an increased risk of bladder cancer recurrence.
Systemic chemotherapy – It is usually recommended before surgery to increase the chances of a cure or as primary treatment if surgery is not an option.
Radiation therapy – This treatment uses powerful energy beams to destroy cancer cells. These energy beams often come from protons, X-rays, or other sources. This treatment option may be prescribed along with other cancer treatments (such as chemotherapy).
Immunotherapy – It involves medicines that boost the immune system to fight against cancer cells. However, cancerous cells produce a substance that helps them hide from the immune system and this therapy helps boost it to find and kill these abnormal cells.
Targeted therapy – This treatment is often recommended by doctors when you do not respond to other treatments. Moreover, physicians may perform some tests to determine whether this therapy is effective for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How common is bladder cancer?

This is considered a common cancer in the U.S., and it accounts for approximately 4% of all cancer cases. In addition, bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the world.

What is the survival rate for bladder cancer?

The survival rate is different among people because it depends on the extent of the cancer. Generally, 5-year survival is roughly 78%. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.

What are the potential complications of bladder cancer?

Those who suffer from this cancer type may experience some complications, even with treatment. Examples include:

Sexual dysfunction in both men and women
Urinary incontinence
Pelvic pain
Adverse reactions to treatment (such as extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and others)
Swelling of the ureters
Anemia
Other urinary problems (such as frequent or difficulty urinating)
Spinal cord compression
Metastasis (it occurs when the cancer spreads to other body structures and organs)

Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent complications. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.