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Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that develops in the cells of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ located in the lower abdomen that plays an important role in storing urine before it is passed out of the body. Most bladder cancers begin in the urothelial cells, which line the inner surface of the bladder. These cells are also found in the kidneys and ureters, the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, which is why similar cancers can sometimes develop in these areas as well.
Urothelial carcinoma is the most common form of bladder cancer and accounts for the majority of cases. While this type of cancer can also occur in the kidneys and ureters, it is most frequently found in the bladder. Bladder cancer is more commonly diagnosed in older adults and tends to affect men more often than women. One of the main reasons bladder cancer is often detected early is because it frequently causes noticeable symptoms, especially blood in the urine, which prompts patients to seek medical attention.
Common symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine (which may be visible or detected through tests), frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, urgency to urinate, lower abdominal pain, and back pain. In advanced stages, symptoms may also include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, bone pain, and swelling in the legs. Because these symptoms can resemble other urinary tract conditions, proper medical evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing bladder cancer. The most significant risk factor is smoking, as harmful chemicals in tobacco are absorbed into the bloodstream and filtered by the kidneys, eventually collecting in the urine and damaging the bladder lining. Other risk factors include exposure to certain industrial chemicals, chronic bladder inflammation, long-term catheter use, previous radiation therapy, certain chemotherapy drugs, and a family history of bladder cancer.
Diagnosis of bladder cancer typically involves urine tests, imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scans, and a procedure called cystoscopy, where a thin camera is inserted into the bladder to examine its lining and obtain tissue samples if needed.