Understanding Bladder Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Sign In

All Posts Conditions Community About

Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.

Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.

All Conditions

Bladder Cancer

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Bladder cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the bladder. The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower part of the abdomen. It is shaped like a small balloon that can get larger or smaller to store urine made by the kidneys. There are three types of tumors that begin in the cells that line the bladder: transitional cell carcinoma, which is the most common type, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Like most cancer types, bladder cancer is divided into stages, according to how much it has spread out of the bladder into the rest of your body.

36 people with Bladder Cancer

Learn from others who are experiencing Bladder Cancer.

Signs & symptoms

Signs and symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine that causes it to turn pink or red and pain during urination. These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by bladder cancer or by other conditions.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. The following tests will be done next: -*Urine test*- to check for any abnormalities and the presence of cancerous cells in your urine. -*Cystoscopy*- a thin tube with a camera will be inserted into your urethra (where the pee leaves the body) in order to look at your bladder and search for any abnormal areas. If the doctor finds a suspicious area, he might take a sample of the tissue *(biopsy)* so it can be viewed under a microscope. -*Imaging test* such as *CT scan*, or *X-RAY*

Treatment

There are different types of treatment for patients with bladder cancer. The treatment depends on the type of cancer, its stage and your general health. -*Surgery*- this is usually how bladder cancer is treated. There are surgeries in which only the tumor is removed, and the bladder remains in place. This surgery is done using a cystoscope. Sometimes larger surgery is needed in which part of the bladder or the entire bladder comes out. -*Medicine*- different medicine are used depending on the extent of the cancer. -*Radiation therapy*- high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation used to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

Alike Wisdom

Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences

Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.

About Alike Wisdom Blog FAQ Editorial Team All Conditions All Posts All Communities Support

Your Privacy Stories Community Guidelines Terms of Use Privacy Policy Helplines Contact Us Group Chats Guidelines Moderation Process