BLADDER CANCER
What is it?
Bladder cancer occurs in the tissues of the bladder. There are three types of bladder cancer:
 Transitional cell carcinoma- is the most common type of bladder cancer. It begins in the
transitional cells in the inner layer of the bladder.
 Squamous cell carcinoma- is a rare cancer in the United States which forms in the bladder after
a long-term infection or irritation in the bladder.
 Adenocarcinoma- is a rare cancer in the United States which forms in the bladder after a longterm bladder irritation and inflammation.
What causes it?
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Smoking and other tobacco use
Exposure to chemicals, especially working
in a job that requires exposure to
chemicals
Past radiation exposure
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Chronic irritation of the lining of the
bladder
Parasitic infections, especially in people
who are from or have traveled to certain
areas outside the United States
How is it diagnosed?
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a urinalysis
an internal examination to feel for
lumps that may indicate a cancerous
growth
a cystoscopy,
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a biopsy
a CT scan to view the bladder
an intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
X-rays
How will it present?
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blood in the urine
painful/painless urination
frequent urination
urgent urination
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urinary incontinence
pain in the abdominal area
pain in the lower back
The tumor can actually obstruct the entrance of urine into the bladder, or the exit of urine from the
bladder. This may cause severe flank (lower back) pain, infection, and damage to the kidneys.
Treatment/Interventions
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Transurethral resection of bladder or tumor (TURBT)
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surgery to remove the tumor from the bladder,
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cystectomy (removal of bladder, partial or full)
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chemotherapy, radiation
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immunotherapy, which involves taking a medication that causes your immune system to attack the
cancer cells.
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Stage 0 bladder cancer hasn’t spread past the lining of the bladder.
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Stage 1 bladder cancer has spread past the lining of the bladder, but it hasn’t reached the layer of
muscle in the bladder.
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Stage 2 bladder cancer has spread to the layer of muscle in the bladder.
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Stage 3 bladder cancer has spread into the tissues that surround the bladder.
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Stage 4 bladder cancer has spread past the bladder to the neighboring areas of the body
.