Bladder Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Overview

The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped muscular organ that stores urine until you are ready to release it.

The urine is produced in the kidneys, then flows through tubes called the ureters into the bladder. From there, it is discharged through the urethra during urination. The bladder muscle aids urination by contracting to help force out urine.

Bladder cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues of the bladder. More than 90 percent of bladder cancer originates in the bladder lining (transitional cell carcinoma), and the majority of diagnosed tumors are confined to the lining. Other types of bladder cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men and the eighth most common type of cancer in women. Bladder cancer typically occurs in older people. Nearly 90 percent of people with bladder cancer are over the age of 55.

 

Bladder Cancer Types and Progression

The bladder is part of the urinary system, which also includes the renal pelvis and urethra. Bladder cancer usually starts in the lining of the bladder, known as the urothelial cells, and is classified as urothelial carcinoma—a common type of bladder cancer. Cancers may be non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer or muscle-invasive bladder cancer, depending on how deeply they grow into the wall of the bladder. Other rare types include small cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

The National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network all list bladder cancer among the most studied types of cancer.

General Information

No one knows exactly what causes bladder cancer. But we do know that cigarette smoking has been estimated to cause 50 percent of all bladder cancer cases in the United States.

Experts believe that smoking causes about half of bladder cancer cases in men and more than one-fourth of bladder cancer cases in women. Long-term workplace exposure to chemical compounds such as paints and solvents has been estimated to cause another 20 to 25 percent of bladder cancer cases. A high-fat diet, recurring urinary infections and advancing age are other factors that lead to an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Arkansas-Specific Risk Factors

Bladder cancer risk factors include cigarette smoke, repeated bladder infections, a family history of bladder cancer, and workplace exposure to aromatic amines. Individuals in Arkansas working in manufacturing or agriculture may be high-risk due to environmental exposures. Truck drivers may also be at increased risk due to diesel exhaust exposure.

Diagnosis

To diagnose bladder cancer, your doctor will:

  • Ask about your medical history and conduct a physical exam, including a vaginal or rectal exam.
  • Test your urine to look for blood or abnormal cells. Your doctor may also order radiological imaging of the kidneys, ureter and bladder to find out where the blood in your urine originates.
  • Perform a cystoscopy, a test that lets your doctor look into your bladder with a thin, lighted viewing tool. Small tissue samples (biopsies) are taken and examined under a microscope to find out if cancer cells are present.

 

Additional Tools for Staging

Your urologist may use blood tests, X-rays, and CT/MRI scans to detect whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. These findings help determine the cancer stage and guide the treatment plan.

Treatment

Bladder cancer treatment is best determined by the stage and grade of your cancer. The stage of cancer is determined by where the cancer is and how much it has grown and spread. Cancer can be low-grade, intermediate-grade, or high-grade depending on the amount and irregular shape of the cancer cells. The three stages of bladder cancer are described below:

  • At the superficial stage, the tumor is confined to the bladder lining.
  • At the invasive stage, the tumor has begun to grow into the muscle or fat layers of the bladder.
  • At the metastatic stage, cancer cells have spread to other areas of the body outside the bladder.

 

Treatment Options

Treatment options for bladder cancer include:

  • Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT): removes tumors from inside the bladder
  • Intravesical therapy or intravesical chemotherapy: places medication directly into the bladder. The most common medications used are BCG and Gemcitabine.
  • Chemotherapy drugs via IV for systemic chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy: targets cancer with focused beams
  • Partial cystectomy or radical cystectomy: removes part or all of the bladder
  • Urinary diversion: may include creation of a new bladder or an ileal conduit
  • Clinical trials: new treatment options that are being studied by clinical teams all over the world

Some patients with advanced bladder cancer or metastatic bladder cancer may qualify for clinical trials that explore the best treatment options, including newer therapies that target the immune system.

 

Living With Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer has a high risk of recurrence (even with treatment). This requires lifetime surveillance and follow-up to make sure the cancer does not reappear after treatment. The best way to evaluate for recurrence is to have a cystoscopy every 3 to 6 months (depending on risk factors). The intervals at which patients receive cystoscopies during surveillance may change based on the last time cancer was detected in the bladder. Other tests may be used in clinics to aid in detection.

Ongoing monitoring and supportive care forbladder health are key for cancer patients. Arkansas Urology helps manage recurrence, provides access to a support group, and delivers palliative care when needed. We work with national partners, staying aligned with standards from their official website.

Early detection is critical. If you are experiencing symptoms or have risk factors, schedule a consultation to begin a proactive treatment plan focused on your overall health and recovery.

More Information On Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer Physicians

At Arkansas Urology, our Bladder Cancer Specialists provide expert diagnosis, personalized treatment options, and ongoing support for patients facing all stages of bladder cancer. With advanced technologies and a commitment to Early Detection, we help patients across the state receive the highest level of bladder cancer care close to home.

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