Definition

Bladder cancer is a cancerous tumor in the bladder - the organ that holds urine.

Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors

• Cigarette smoking.
• Chemical exposure at work.
• Radiation and chemotherapy.
• Bladder infection.
• Parasite infection.

Symptoms

Most of the symptoms of bladder cancer can also occur with non-cancerous conditions. It's important to get evaluated if you have any of these symptoms

• Blood in the urine
• Painful urination
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency

Treatment

Stage 0 and I treatments

• Surgery to remove the tumor without removing the rest of the bladder (TUR-BT).
• Chemotherapy or immunotherapy directly into the bladder.

Stage II and III treatments

• Surgery to remove the entire bladder (radical cystectomy).
• Surgery to remove only part of the bladder, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery.
• A combination of chemotherapy and radiation (in patients who choose not to have surgery or who cannot have surgery).

Stage IV treatments

• Most patients with stage IV tumors cannot be cured and surgery is not appropriate. In these patients chemotherapy is often considered.