The bladder is an organ in the pelvis. Our kidneys filter our blood and produce urine (pee), which then travels to the bladder and collects there. When the bladder is full, we feel the need to urinate, and the bladder empties out of the body through a tube called the urethra.
Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the bladder.
The duct through which urine flows from the bladder to outside the body.
The cause of bladder cancer is damage to the DNA in the bladder cells. In bladder cancer, it is not always clear what causes this damage.
The genetic material of all living cells and some viruses. The full name is deoxyribonucleic acid.
Risk factors for bladder cancer include:
A treatment that uses ionizing radiation to kill or control growth of malignant cancer cells.
There are several different types of bladder cancer. The most common type is transitional cell cancer, which arises from the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Other types of bladder cancer, which are much rarer, are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These tend to be more aggressive and spread into the deeper layers of the bladder.
The following symptoms of bladder cancer are also associated with less serious conditions such as urinary tract infections, but you should still see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
Your doctor may perform a pelvic examination (for women), or a digital rectal examination (for women and men), to feel for any masses or growths on the bladder.
Your doctor may ask you to give a urine sample. Your urine will then be checked for the presence of cancerous cells and/or blood. This is known as urinary cytology.
Scans that can be used to identify the site, size and stage of the bladder cancer:
A thin, flexible tube with a camera at the tip will be inserted into the urethra to view the lining of the urethra and the bladder. This procedure, known as cystoscopy, is performed under anesthetic in a hospital.
If cancer is suspected, your doctor may want to take a tissue sample from that area and check it for cancerous cells.
A scan that uses X-rays to create a 3D image of the body. This can detect abnormalities more effectively than a simple X-ray can.
A procedure in which a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger inside the rectum to feel for lumps and other abnormalities in the pelvis and abdomen.
An examination performed by your doctor or nurse that involves a speculum examination with a duck-bill instrument and an internal examination in which they may put two gloved fingers inside your vagina to check for lumps or tender regions.
The duct through which urine flows from the bladder to outside the body.
Stages of bladder cancer depend on size, location and whether or not it has spread. Broadly, bladder cancer can be superficial or invasive.
This category of bladder cancer describes cancers that have not spread beyond the inner lining of the bladder. They are staged as:
Superficial bladder cancers tend to grow back even after treatment. Therefore, it is important to have regular check-ups to keep the cancer well-controlled.
| Stage I | The cancer has penetrated deeper into a layer of tissue next to the bladder's inner lining. |
| Stage II | The cancer has spread into the muscle layers of the bladder. |
| Stage III | The cancer has spread into the layer of fat around the bladder, and may also have spread to the uterus or vagina in women, or to the prostate gland or seminal vesicles in men. |
| Stage IV | The cancer has spread beyond the pelvis and/or throughout the body to other organs, such as the lungs or liver. |
Stages of invasive bladder cancer.
Bladder cancers can vary in how aggressive they are based upon their grading:
Treatment and outcomes vary depending on the stage and grade of bladder cancer.
A male reproductive organ that surrounds parts of the bladder and urethra. It secretes a sperm-nourishing component of semen.
The hollow organ of the female reproductive system that is responsible for the development of the embryo and fetus during pregnancy. Also known as the womb.
Superficial cancers can be surgically removed using cystoscopy. They are shaved off from the inner lining of the bladder. Due to the fact that superficial bladder cancer often comes back, you may need to have follow-up cystoscopies to remove new cancers.
One form of medication, which uses the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine (which is also used for tuberculosis prevention) helps the body's immune system to fight off bladder cancer cells. This is known as immunotherapy or biological therapy.
Chemotherapy can also be directly injected into the bladder using a catheter, to help damage the bladder cancer cells. This is known as intravesical chemotherapy.
The first line of treatment is often removing part of the bladder (partial cystectomy), or the whole bladder (radical cystectomy).
Other therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can be used together with surgery. They may be given before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) and/or after surgery (adjuvant therapy). When given before surgery, they aim to reduce the size of the cancer. When given after surgery, they aim to help prevent the cancer returning.
Occasionally, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be the only treatments used if individuals are not suitable for surgical treatment. Often, in these situations, the aim of treatment is to control symptoms, and not necessarily for cure. The treatment options and aims can differ, based on the individual, the stage and type of cancer. Your doctor can help explain this information in more detail.
More information on cancer treatments can be found here.
Some people diagnosed with cancer seek out complementary and alternative therapies. None of these therapies are proven to cure cancer, but some can help people feel better when used together with conventional medical treatment. It is important to discuss any complementary treatments with your doctor before starting them.
A thin, flexible tube inserted through a narrow opening into a body cavity for removing fluid.
A medication-based treatment, usually used in the treatment of cancers. There are numerous, different types of chemotherapy drugs that can be prescribed by a specialist. These can commonly be used alongside other cancer treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy.
A treatment that uses ionizing radiation to kill or control growth of malignant cancer cells.
A bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually affects the lungs and in some cases, other organs such as the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
A partial cystectomy results in a smaller bladder that holds less urine, so you will need to urinate more often. A radical cystectomy results in complete removal of the bladder, so most commonly an artificial opening, called a stoma, is needed. This allows urine to pass through the abdomen into a watertight bag, bypassing the need for a bladder. Your doctor will discuss the stoma and other options with you if it is required.
Surgical removal of the lymph nodes can result in a build-up of fluid, leading to swelling of the legs (known as lymphoedema). Massage and compression clothing can help relieve swelling.
There are a range of side effects related to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment, which include:
In cases of advanced cancer, the cancer can metastasize to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. The growth of cancer in the organs and other body parts has a destructive effect on their function.
Occasionally, bladder cancers may return (recur) even after treatment. If this occurs, additional therapies may be needed. Because the success of curing recurrent cancers is lower, your doctor will generally advise regular and frequent follow up to detect any early recurrences so your chances of a successful cure are much greater.
The part of the body that lies between the chest and the pelvis.
A medication-based treatment, usually used in the treatment of cancers. There are numerous, different types of chemotherapy drugs that can be prescribed by a specialist. These can commonly be used alongside other cancer treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy.
A state of exhaustion and weakness.
A body’s protective immune response to injury or infection. The accumulation of fluid, cells and proteins at the site of an infection or physical injury, resulting in swelling, heat, redness, pain and loss of function.
A network of vessels, lymph nodes, the spleen and other organs that transport lymph fluid between tissues and bloodstream.
A treatment that uses ionizing radiation to kill or control growth of malignant cancer cells.
The prognosis for bladder cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease, but the overall five-year survival rate from the point of diagnosis is 58% - more than one of every two will survive. For those who survive the first year, this rate increases to 73%, and for those who survive five years, the survival rate for the next five years increases to 88%. [1]
It is important to remember that survival rates are only an indication, and are based upon the averages of previously-treated patients. It is not an absolute prognosis for an individual. It is often difficult to accurately predict an individual's cure or survival rate. Constant advances in treatment are continually improving these statistics.
Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: period estimates from 1982 to 2010. Australian Government – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Accessed 22 September 2014 from
Bladder cancer cannot be prevented, but one way to reduce the risk of developing the cancer is by quitting smoking.