Here’s a detailed breakdown of bladder cancer—its biology, symptoms, and key facts:
Bladder Cancer
What It Is
- Bladder cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lining of the bladder, which is the organ that stores urine.
- Most bladder cancers start in the urothelial cells (also called transitional cells) that line the inside of the bladder.
- Less common types include squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Risk Factors
- Smoking – the single biggest risk factor
- Chemical exposure – dyes, rubber, leather, or paint
- Chronic bladder irritation – infections, stones, catheters
- Age & Gender – more common in men and people over 55
- Family history or genetic predisposition
Symptoms
- Blood in urine (hematuria) – most common sign, may be visible or microscopic
- Frequent urination
- Urgency – sudden need to urinate
- Painful urination
- Lower back or pelvic pain (if advanced)
- Urinary tract infections that don’t resolve
Types of Bladder Cancer
- Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)
- Confined to the inner lining.
- Often treated with surgery and intravesical therapy.
- Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)
- Invades deeper layers of the bladder wall.
- Treated with surgery (cystectomy), chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.
Diagnosis
- Urine tests: check for blood or cancer cells
- Cystoscopy: camera inserted into bladder to visualize tumors
- Biopsy: tissue sample taken to confirm cancer type
- Imaging: CT, MRI, or ultrasound to check spread
Treatment Options
- Surgery: Transurethral resection (TURBT) or partial/complete cystectomy
- Intravesical therapy: Chemotherapy or immunotherapy (e.g., BCG) delivered directly into bladder
- Systemic therapy: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy for advanced cases
- Radiation therapy: Sometimes combined with chemotherapy
Prevention Tips
- Quit smoking
- Limit exposure to chemicals
- Drink plenty of water to flush the bladder
- Promptly treat urinary infections
Prognosis
- Depends on stage and grade:
- Early, non-invasive cancers have high survival rates
- Muscle-invasive or metastatic cancers have lower survival rates, but modern treatments improve outcomes
If you want, I can make a labeled diagram showing bladder anatomy, tumor locations, and layers of the bladder wall, which helps visualize how bladder cancer develops and spreads.
Do you want me to make that diagram?
