Bladder Cancer

What Is Bladder Cancer?

The bladder is a hollow organ in the pelvis that stores urine produced by the kidneys before it leaves the body. Bladder cancer develops when abnormal cells in the bladder begin to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that can invade the bladder wall and potentially spread to other parts of the body.

What Causes Bladder Cancer?

Bladder cancer develops when genetic changes within bladder cells cause them to grow and divide in an abnormal way. While the exact cause is not always clear, several risk factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing bladder cancer:

• Aging
• Being a male
• Bladder birth defects
• Smoking
• Exposure to carcinogens (such as certain chemicals or industrial substances)
• Bladder stones
• Chronic bladder infections or irritation
• Schistosomiasis (a parasitic infection more common outside the United States)
• Lynch syndrome
• Cowden disease
• Prior chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy
• Personal history of bladder cancer
• Family history of bladder cancer
• Use of the diabetes drug pioglitazone (Actos)
• Low fluid intake

How Is Bladder Cancer Detected?

Our specialists take a comprehensive approach to diagnosis by reviewing medical, surgical, social, and family history, performing laboratory testing, and evaluating imaging studies. If bladder cancer is suspected, your doctor may recommend:

• Urine cytology: Examines urine samples for cancer cells.
• Cystoscopy: Uses a thin, flexible scope to directly view the inside of the bladder.
• Imaging studies: May include CT, PET, PET-CT, MRI, or ultrasound to evaluate the urinary tract and surrounding structures.
• Biopsy: If a suspicious mass is found, a tissue sample is taken for pathology to confirm the diagnosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer may cause:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Frequent or painful urination
• Burning sensation during urination
• Urgency or difficulty passing urine
• Needing to urinate at night (nocturia)
• Lower abdominal or back pain
• Dark or discolored urine

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. It is important to speak with your doctor if you experience any of them.

Stages of Bladder Cancer

Staging is the process of determining how far bladder cancer has spread. This is essential in guiding treatment decisions. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), the stages are:

Stage 0a

Cancer involves only the surface lining of the bladder.

Stage 0is

Cancer involves only the inner lining of the bladder.

Stage I

Cancer has invaded the connective tissue beneath the lining.

Stage II

Cancer has invaded the muscular wall of the bladder.

Stage III

Cancer has spread through the muscle into surrounding fatty tissue and may involve nearby organs such as the prostate in men or the uterus and vagina in women.

Stage IV

Cancer has extended to the pelvic or abdominal wall, nearby lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body.

How Is Bladder Cancer Treated?

Treatment depends on the type and stage of bladder cancer. Options may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. These may be used alone or in combination depending on your doctor’s recommendations. Important factors considered when developing a treatment plan include:

• Your age, health, and lifestyle.
• The stage of your cancer.
• Any other serious health conditions you have.
• Your feelings about the need to treat cancer right away.
• Your doctor’s opinion about if you need to treat cancer right away.
• The likelihood that treatment will help fight or cure your cancer.
• Possible side effects of each treatment method.

It is important to ask questions and fully understand your options. Together with your doctor, you can weigh the benefits and risks of each approach to determine the treatment that is best for you.

Our Approach

We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and scary. Here at The New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, we build our teams around you. Our expert oncologists will help guide you through this difficult time, answering any questions you may have along the way. We are here for you and will do everything in our power to meet your specific needs and exceed your expectations. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms that may be related to cancer, please call us as soon as possible at (855) 528-7322 or make an appointment online.